formula 1
Norris faster than the world champion in Melbourne training
McLaren driver Lando Norris set the fastest time during training in Melbourne. photo
© Scott Barbour/AP
The Formula 1 drivers are making things exciting at the start in Melbourne. The tip is very close together. An accident costs valuable training time.
World champion Max Verstappen has just the fastest time in Formula 1 at the start Missed Melbourne. The Dutch Red Bull driver was just 0.018 seconds slower than leader Lando Norris in the first one-hour session of the Australian Grand Prix.
The English McLaren driver set the fastest lap at the Albert Park Circuit in 1:18.564 minutes. Mercedes driver George Russell came third, 0.033 seconds behind Norris. Even Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez in sixth was only 0.078 seconds slower than the leading man. Nico Hülkenberg finished 16th in the Haas, 1.040 seconds behind the leader.
Sainz in action after surgery
An accident involving Williams driver Alex Albon cost the Formula 1 drivers valuable training time. The English native lost control of his car in turn six and crashed into the track wall. Albon wrecked his car, but he was able to get out on his own. After an interruption of around ten minutes due to rescue work, training was able to resume.
Two weeks after his appendectomy, Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz was back in action. The Spaniard completed 23 laps in his endurance test and finished eighth, 0.122 seconds behind Norris. Sainz wants to wait and see whether he feels fit enough for the Grand Prix on Sunday. His replacement would be Oliver Bearman, who is only 18 years old. The Brit recently represented Sainz in Saudi Arabia and came seventh in his Grand Prix debut.