Mercedes involved in crash in practice ahead of F1 qualifying

Source : ABC NEWS

George Russell will enter Saturday’s qualifying session for the Australian Grand Prix having posted the fastest time in practice, with his Mercedes teammate suffering a big crash late in the session. 

Russell posted 1 minute 19.053, more than six-tenths faster than Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, who was second on the time sheet.

Australian Oscar Piastri, who was fastest across Friday’s two practice sessions, was fourth quickest with a 1:20.087.

There was plenty of drama during the third practice session, with Williams driver Carlos Sainz left stranded at the pit lane entrance after his car lost power. 

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli had a big crash late in the session, losing control of his car and crashing into the wall.

The Italian came unstuck at turn one, spinning around before hitting the barrier.

FIA backflips on Straight Zone rule change

Motorsport’s governing body has backflipped on a change to the Australian Grand Prix circuit, following displeasure from teams over Friday’s decision.

Concerns were raised by drivers following practice in Melbourne on Friday, over the designated straight between turns 8 and 9 at Albert Park.

Under the new regulations, drivers can open their rear wing and flatten their front wing when in a designated Straight Zone.

But drivers raised safety concerns with having their wings opened and flattened in the fourth Straight Zone at Albert Park, which is curved, due to the reduced downforce while still turning.

The FIA initially removed that Straight Zone, but on Saturday morning, reversed that decision due to teams being unhappy with the sudden change.

In a statement released by the FIA, according to multiple outlets, the governing body said the fourth Straight Zone would be reinstated for Saturday’s practice session, and re-evaluated before qualifying later in the day.

“Following the feedback received in the last hour from Teams and Drivers, and additional analysis contributed by Teams, the decision to remove Straight Mode zone #4 for Albert Park is rescinded,” the statement read.

“For the avoidance of doubt, this amendment is effective immediately, and Straight Mode activation Zone 4 will be in use in FP3.

“Further evaluation will take place during and after FP3.”

F3 race ends early after Aussie crashes with teammate

Australian racing driver James Wharton has suffered a dramatic end to his first race of the Formula 3 season, crashing out with his teammate after a fierce battle on track.

Wharton and Prema Racing teammate Louie Sharp collided with each other before spinning off into the barriers during the season’s opening race at Albert Park on Saturday morning.

Both competing in their first race for Prema, the duo were battling hard for sixth position on lap eight of 20 in the F3 sprint race.

Wharton, 19, from Melbourne, was in front but under pressure from his Kiwi teammate.

Sharp went for a move on the outside of turn four at Albert Park, with Wharton squeezing the Kiwi out wide and off the track.

But Sharp was not done with the fight, keeping his foot down and trying to pass on the inside into turn five, but clipped the right rear of Wharton’s car.

Wharton went spinning and hit the wall with force, while Sharp also went into the barrier.

Both drivers reported they were OK and were able to get out of their cars without needing assistance.

The race was red-flagged with Wharton’s car wedged in the barrier. 

The race was not resumed, with marshals not having enough time to repair the barrier.

Only the top five were awarded points, with Spaniard Bruno del Pino claiming his maiden F3 win ahead of Van Amersfoort Racing teammate Enzo Deligny from France.

The heavy crash capped off an eventful sprint race for Wharton, who started fifth but lost several positions after going off the circuit at the first corner on lap one. 

Sharp had started 13th and had done well to move his way up the order.

Despite crashing out, Wharton and Sharp were classified seventh and eighth, but did not score points.