Leclerc Sets the Benchmark as Ferrari Dominates Opening Melbourne Practice

Charles Leclerc delivered an impressive performance to lead the opening practice session of the 2026 season in Melbourne, with Ferrari demonstrating commanding pace early in the campaign. The Scuderia driver posted a quickest time of 1:20.267 on soft compound tyres late in the session, establishing Ferrari as the team to beat heading into the weekend.

Ferrari has wasted no time announcing its credentials for the 2026 season, with Charles Leclerc putting together a dominant showing during Friday's opening practice session at the Australian Grand Prix. The Monegasque driver stormed to the top of the timesheets in the closing stages of the session, clocking a best lap of 1:20.267 on the softer tyre compound to signal Ferrari's strength early in the campaign.

The performance represents an encouraging statement of intent from the Scuderia, with the Italian outfit clearly bringing competitive machinery to Melbourne as it looks to mount a serious challenge this season. Leclerc's benchmark lap was established when it mattered most, during the final minutes when drivers and teams typically extract maximum performance from their cars.

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sporting Regulations

Art. B2.1.3

technical Regulations

Art. 9.1

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Sporting Regulations

Article B2.1.3

FIA Source

Free Practice Session Classification

Chapter: B2

In Simple Terms

Free Practice sessions are ranked based on each driver's fastest single lap time. The driver with the quickest lap gets first place, the second quickest gets second place, and so on down the grid.

Classification is based solely on fastest lap time achieved during the session
Drivers are ranked from fastest to slowest
Only the single best lap for each driver counts toward the classification
Free Practice results do not affect the actual race grid positions

Official FIA Text

Classification determined by fastest lap time set by each driver, with fastest in first position, second fastest in second position, and so on.

free practiceclassificationfastest lapsession rankingpractice session

2026 Season Regulations

Technical Regulations

Article 9.1

FIA Source

Tyre Specifications

Chapter: Chapter IX - Tyres

In Simple Terms

Pirelli is F1's sole tyre supplier. Each driver gets a fixed allocation per weekend: typically 13 sets of slicks (across soft, medium, hard), plus wet weather tyres. Teams must strategically use their allocation across practice, qualifying, and the race.

Pirelli is sole official supplier
Fixed allocation per weekend
Three dry compounds: soft, medium, hard
Intermediate and wet also provided

Official FIA Text

Only tyres supplied by the official tyre supplier may be used. During a race weekend, each driver is allocated a specified number of dry weather tyre sets comprising soft, medium and hard compounds, plus intermediate and wet weather tyres.

pit strategytyre degradationcompound selectiontyresPirellicompoundssoftmedium

2026 Season Regulations