Oscar Piastri fastest in Australian GP practice as Aston Martin suffer more woe

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri topped the timesheets at the end of the first day of practice for the 2026 season, with Britain’s title favourite George Russell third fastest, just behind Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli.

Aston Martin fear they may not be able to compete in Australian GP after practice disaster

Team have two battery units with no replacements Alonso and Stroll completed only limited runs in practice Aston Martin’s disastrous start to the new Formula One season grew even worse after free practice in Australia with the team principal, Adrian Newey, revealing there were now fears they would not be able to take part in qualifying or the race at the Albert Park circuit. On Thursday Newey had hosted an extraordinary press conference when he had admitted that a severe vibration issue wit...

By Giles Richards at the Albert Park Circuit