Australian Grand Prix: Piastri Tops Second Practice with Russell Third George Russell started his title defense by finishing third in second practice for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, as McLaren’s Oscar Piastri led the field at Albert Park. Piastri’s time was 0.214 seconds faster than his teammate Kimi Antonelli, with Russell trailing by three tenths. Russell’s position placed him just one thousandth of a second ahead of Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, who finished fourth. The results highlight the competitive nature of the new F1 era, with Mercedes positioned as favorites after regulatory changes. However, Piastri’s performance suggests McLaren may challenge their dominance. The Australian Grand Prix, held in Melbourne, drew anticipation for a thrilling start to the 2026 season. Charles Leclerc set the pace in the first practice session, finishing fifth in the other Ferrari. Max Verstappen and Lando Norris followed in sixth and seventh, respectively. Norris, however, faced challenges after completing only seven laps due to a gearbox issue, leaving him a full second slower than the pace. Aston Martin’s participation in the race remains uncertain amid concerns over driver safety. Team principal Adrian Newey warned that Alonso and Lance Stroll could suffer nerve damage from vibration issues in their car. Alonso and Stroll finished 20th and 21st, with only Cadillac’s Sergio Pérez, who failed to set a competitive lap, behind them. Mercedes’ Toto Wolff acknowledged the team’s potential but emphasized the unpredictability of the season. “Even if we started the season magnificently, I’ve never been confident enough to say we’ll be faster or on the podium,” he said.#mclaren #albert_park #australian_grand_prix #piastri #russell
