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Formula 1 Australian GP

F1 Australian GP Live Commentary and Updates - FP1 & FP2

Friday's action from the third round of the 2023 Formula 1 season

Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB19, cuts onto the grass

The 2023 F1 season heads to Australia with Red Bull in the ascendency after extending its 100% winning start to the year following Sergio Perez’s victory in Saudi Arabia.

After following Perez to the chequered flag two weeks ago, reigning world champion and Bahrain GP winner Max Verstappen holds a one point lead from his team-mate after snatching a valuable fastest lap point in Jeddah.

All eyes will be on what Red Bull’s rivals can do to halt their charge at Albert Park, a venue the Milton Keynes operation hasn’t tasted victory since Sebastian Vettel’s 2011 triumph.

Australian GP first practice begins at 2:30am BST followed by second practice which starts at 6:00am BST. Qualifying takes place on Saturday at 6:00am BST to decide the starting grid for the race on Sunday at 6:00am BST.

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Stopwatch
Piastri is one of those soft tyre runners and pops up to fifth with a 1m19.777s.
Norris does get a time to his name, a 1m21.246s to go 16th, as others emerge onto the track on soft tyres.
Still no lap time from Norris though, who is just starting his fourth lap of the session. The team was removing aero sensors from the car, which explains his in and out strategy.
Albon has sneaked up to fourth on the times with an identical 1m19.766s to Stroll's earlier effort. We enjoy it when identical lap times happen, it makes us think of that Spiderman meme. You know the one.
Stopwatch
Verstappen is using the performance of the softs now, as he posts a 1m18.790s to pull out half a second on the medium-shod Perez.
Hulkenberg has also been off ever so slightly as he goes wide at Turn 11 - but no trouble for the Haas who continues unflustered.
Quote
"We are dragging the rear brakes too much, that's the problem," is Verstappen's latest complaint over team radio, as TV replays catch him dipping a wheel into the gravel but getting away with it.
Stopwatch
Verstappen replies to Perez with a 1m19.278s to go 0.015s quicker. Behind them Stroll is the nearest challenger, while his Aston Martin team-mate Alonso is on the hard tyres and banking laps.
Stopwatch
Perez regains top spot with a 1m19.293s on the mediums - both Red Bulls are almost half a second quicker than the rest so far.
Hamilton catches a nasty snap of oversteer at Turn 9 which forces him to back out of a promising lap having gone fastest of anyone in the first sector. He's still quick enough for third behind the Red Bull duo.
Yellow flag
Magnussen trips into the gravel at Turn 3, skating across the stones after losing control of the rear of his car. But no major harm done for the Dane.
Stopwatch
The shifts problem isn't causing Verstappen too much drama as he goes top with a 1m19.332s.
Quote
Verstappen appears to be suffering from his gear shift issue again: "Shifts are terrible, up and down shifts," he reports, as his Red Bull squad get to work looking into it.
Quote
"I'm bottoming so much at the minute," Sargeant reports on team radio. Bit of bump and grind for the American on his Albert Park debut.
Stopwatch
Perez goes top on the mediums, quicker than Verstappen's opening effort on softs, with a 1m20.267s.
Verstappen also isn't hanging around as he's straight on to the soft tyres on his first run sporting an updated Red Bull front wing to match.
Stopwatch
The F1 drivers must be keen today, or they've seen something worrying on the weather radar for later, as all 20 drivers have been on track already. Gasly posts the early leading time of 1m23.860s.
Breaking news

Before the track action gets really busy, there's also been an update from the FIA on the do they/don't they touch the car during a penalty following the Alonso incident in Saudi.

Full story:  https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/fia-bans-jacks-touching-f1-cars-during-pitstop-penalties-after-alonso-review/10450581/

Lights green
The green light illuminates pit exit to indicate first practice is go! Sainz leads out the early runners joined by Ocon, Zhou and home debutant Piastri.
To get the Peep Show references out of the way early - four DRS zones Jeremey, that's insane. Glad we got that out of our system.
And what's new at Albert Park? F1 has a new-ish DRS zone, new-ish because it was used in practice last year before being withdrawn, but now it is here to stay.
Breaking news
The debate on cutting back on F1 practice time also came up yesterday, following F1 boss Stefano Domenicali floating the idea. And, as ever, it split opinion in the paddock: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/russell-norris-back-calls-to-reduce-f1-practice-time/10450339/
Breaking news

There's a few key updates from the paddock ahead of first practice, starting with an FIA clampdown on F1 teams pitwall celebrations. The rules have been in place for a while, but the rulemakers are set to get tougher on them.

Full story: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/fia-bans-f1-teams-from-pitwall-fence-celebrations/10450137/

Green flag
G'day one and all! How's things? First practice for the Australian GP is coming up in a few ticks.

By: Autosport Staff

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