Oscar Piastri was the fastest in a very even trial and the classification promises emotions

The Australian Grand Prixwhich will run this Sunday morning at the modern circuit of Albert Parkin Melbourne, it will be the first of the 24 of the Formula 1 calendar for the 2025 season. And after a very even P3, the emotions seem guaranteed. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) He dominated the last free essay prior to the classification this Saturday (at 2am, Argentina’s time), but Max Verstappen (Red Bull), George Russell (Mercedes) and Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) followed him very close.

The action had been launched on Thursday night and in the early hours of this Friday in the first rehearsals, which had attractions for all tastes with red flags and surprises. While Franco frankntoto Wait for their opportunity in the Paddock, Lando Norris (McLaren) and Charles Leclerc had been the fastest.

However, the P3 started with problems again to Oliver Bearman. In the P1 had shattered his car And he was looking for his revenge after being marginalized from the P2, but in the first turns of the last free trial, the British of Haas touched the grass in curve 11 and was confused. A nefarious season premiere for the young pilot formed at the Ferrari Academy.

The first one who could do a timed return almost without errors was Jack Doohan With his Alpine. The Australian, who has the pressure to fulfill a good performance while Colapinto hopes to be able to keep his armchair, had a good first round almost without errors with a time of 1: 19,221. But the day would not end well for the premises.

The Red Bull started with some doubts. TO Liam Lawson They asked him to return to Boxes and Max Verstappen was able to register a good time of 1: 17,632. Although the track immediately took temperature and rapidly exceeded it Oscar Plastri with his McLaren (1: 17,298). The Dutch, however, immediately lowered the clock with 1: 16,646.

Later, problems arrived for Doohan, who had to make a blockade not to go outside; Also his teammate, Pierre Gasly, raised a lacquer. AND Carlos Sainz (Williams) touched the wall with its left front tire.

Las Ferrari First they showed good performance when they simulated a classification return with red tires. Charles Leclerc He put himself second to 30 thousandths of Verstappen and Hamilton, third, just one thousandth slower than his teammate. But there were still more than 20 minutes of trial.

Right away, the one who flew was George Russell with his Mercedes and achieved the best part time with 1: 16,402. However, when 12 minutes were missing for the closure, again Verstappen showed all his hierarchy, he achieved the record in the three sectors of the track and put back at the top with 1: 16.002.

At that time there were six cars separated by just a few thousandths: Verstappen (Red Bull), Russell (Mercedes), Antonelli (Mercedes), Sainz (Williams), Albon (Williams) and Leclerc (Ferrari). Who were missing? The McLaren.

Then came out with everything Oscar Plastri Already 7 minutes of the closure of the trial managed to lower Verstappen’s time. The Australian, at home, nailed the stopwatch in 1: 15,921. And with that time he reached him to be the fastest.

Russell became second to 39 thousandths and left Verstappen third. Leclerc, despite showing “distrust” in the car in a communication with his career engineer, stayed with fourth place at 0.267. And fifth was the rookie Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes).

Then, the two Williams: first that of Carlos Sainz and then that of Alex Albon. Further back, Lewis Hamilton and Yuki Tsunoda. And tenth was Lando Norris, one of the great candidates to fight for the title in the season, who was just 0.676 thousandths of his teammate. Meanwhile, Doohan did not close a good practice and ended in the 15th placefar from Gasly, which closed in 12th place.

Then, the first 10 cars – that is, half of the grill – were very tight and anything can happen in the classification. There the equipment can use soft tires and it will be very important to achieve a good place for Sunday’s start, since a rainy race is expected in Melbourne.

The first Grand Prix of the Year will take place in Australia, so in Latin America it will have a night -day to follow Formula 1: Free training 1y 2 took place this Thursday, while free training 3 occurred on Friday night March 14 and the classification will take place on Saturday, March 15 at 2 in the morning.

It can be followed through the category platform itself (F1 TV Pro), with the hiring of the package of all competences, in addition to training and classification tests. It will also be available live on Fox Sports and via streaming on the Disney+platform.