In the opening practices of the Australian Grand Prix, Lando Norris topped the first session, despite a significant crash by rookie Ollie Bearman that forced a red flag. Charles Leclerc then showcased his speed by leading the second practice, outperforming his Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton, who struggled to find pace. While Norris managed to secure the top spot in the first session, Hamilton finished 12th as he aims to improve. Bearman reflected on his day-ending crash, attributing it to a small mistake, marking a difficult start to his Formula 1 journey. The practices set the stage for a competitive race weekend, with McLaren and Ferrari emerging as the teams to beat.