Source : ABC NEWS
The first practice session of the new Formula 1 season has begun with a whimper, as teams and drivers come to grips with the new era of cars.
Oscar Piastri reported early power issues, while his world championship teammate Lando Norris withdrew from the session early with gearbox concerns.
Ferrari topped the time sheets early on Friday afternoon, with Charles Leclerc being fastest with a 1:20.276, more than fourth tenths faster than next fastest, teammate Lewis Hamilton.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar were next quickest, while Piastri saved his best for the end of the session, more than a second behind Leclerc to be sixth fastest.
McLaren’s issues came in the first moments of the 60-minute session, when Melbourne-born Piastri was seen slowly guiding his McLaren around the Albert Park circuit.
“I’ve got no power,” Piastri told his team over the radio.
“I’m idling, but I’ve got no throttle.
“There’s still something that’s not quite right. The power delivery: something’s not right.”
The Australian was able to find some power in his McLaren, but the McLaren team still had early issues.
Norris then reported issues to his team with shifting between gears, a problem severe enough for McLaren to pull in the world champion early to assess the gearbox.
Williams driver Alex Albon also had his practice end early, when his car stopped on track with about 12 minutes left in the session.
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Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad did not make it out of the pit exit before his car stopped and needed to be wheeled back to the garage.
Racing Bulls was able to fix the issue to Lindblad’s car, as the rookie impressed to be fifth fastest.
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Meanwhile, things have gone from bad to worse for Aston Martin on Friday.
Fernando Alonso did not even suit up for the first practice session, a day after team principal Adrian Newey said neither car was likely to finish Sunday’s grand prix.
The vibration from Aston Martin’s Honda engine is so bad, the team has fears it will injure their drivers.
Sky Sports F1 pit lane reporter Ted Kravitz told the UK broadcaster that Alonso’s Honda engine had a separate issue, not the vibration, keeping him out of the session.
Alonso’s teammate Lance Stroll managed just three laps, before he also needed to bring into the garage due to power unit issues.
F1 teams will put out their cars for a second practice session later on Friday afternoon.
