Charles Leclerc took the lead on the first day, with the Ferrari driver being four-tenths faster than Max Verstappen in the Red Bull, who came in second place. Leclerc is expected to be the main contender against the dominant Red Bulls in both qualifying on Saturday and the race on Sunday.
Carlos Sainz, who is still recovering from his recent appendicitis surgery, had an impressive performance with the third-best time, although he was half a second slower than Leclerc. However, once fully recovered, Sainz is likely to be a strong competitor as well.
In their team report, Ferrari expressed optimism about their performance on Friday at the Australian Grand Prix. They highlighted the importance of Sainz being fully fit and praised his ability to return to the cockpit just 14 days after his surgery. Sainz completed 48 laps without any physical issues and gradually regained his rhythm on the Albert Park track. The team also noted that both drivers provided positive feedback on the car’s performance, which will need to be confirmed in the upcoming sessions and the race.
Leclerc shared his thoughts on Friday’s practice, stating that it was a solid start and he felt comfortable in the car from the beginning. He emphasized the need to adapt to the track conditions and anticipate its evolution. Leclerc expressed confidence in the team’s progress and expected the competition to be tight.
Sainz, who had to sit out the previous race due to his surgery, expressed his satisfaction with completing both sessions comfortably. He acknowledged the challenging weeks leading up to the race but remained optimistic about his performance in qualifying and the race. Sainz believed that the car was in a good position for the weekend and aimed to maximize its potential.
Overall, both Leclerc and Sainz showed promising performances on the opening day of the Australian Grand Prix. The Ferrari team expressed confidence in their drivers and the car’s competitiveness, setting high expectations for the upcoming sessions and the race itself.