Piastri Sets Pace in Final Practice for Australian Grand Prix

ALBERT PARK, Australia — Oscar Piastri led an intense final practice for the Australian Grand Prix on Saturday, with just 0.081 seconds separating the top three drivers. Piastri’s McLaren clocked a time of 1:15.921, followed closely by George Russell of Mercedes and Max Verstappen from Red Bull.

Under overcast skies at Albert Park, Piastri’s impressive performance raised the expectations of his home crowd. Russell finished with a time of 1:15.960, while Verstappen trailed just behind at 1:16.002. The close times among the top three drivers set the stage for a thrilling qualifying session later in the day.

“It’s a bit disappointing, of course, to not be able to get a lap on the board, but it’s been a messy weekend so far,” said Haas rookie Ollie Bearman, who struggled throughout the practice session. Bearman, who crashed during Friday’s practice, spun into the gravel at Turn 11, hampering his ability to compete effectively.

Both Bearman and Liam Lawson of Red Bull faced challenges during the practice. Lawson managed only a single installation lap due to a pneumatic issue with his power unit, forcing him to remain in the pits for most of the session.

The qualifying session later proved to be a mix of excitement and frustration for the teams. Piastri’s strong showing came after he improved his times throughout the practice, showcasing his skill and determination on what some are calling a challenging track.

Verstappen initially set a fast pace with a time of 1:16.646 before Piastri and Russell outpaced him late in the session. With only a few minutes remaining, Piastri’s sharp turns through the course provided the edge he needed to secure the top spot.

Russell acknowledged the competitiveness, saying, “There was little to choose between the three quickest teams at the end of the last hour. We’ll need to keep that momentum going into the race.”

Behind the leading trio, Charles Leclerc from Ferrari and Kimi Antonelli completed the top five. The Williams team also showed promising results, with Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon finishing sixth and seventh, respectively. Lewis Hamilton had a slower start, ending up in eighth place.

Despite the struggles of some drivers, the practice session provided crucial data for teams ahead of the race. With rain forecasted for Sunday, the conditions could lead to an unpredictable race outcome.

The Australian Grand Prix marks the start of a new season for Formula 1, promising fans excitement as teams head into the race weekend. Piastri’s performance has not only excited local fans but also set expectations for his season ahead.