Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Lando Norris saw his first practice session at the 2026 Australian Grand Prix end prematurely after his McLaren encountered a suspected gearbox issue at the Albert Park Circuit. The problem occurred with around 20 minutes remaining in the FP1 session.
The reigning Formula 1 drivers’ champion had already reported issues with his MCL40 early in the opening hour of running in Melbourne. Although Norris eventually returned to the track after initial checks, he was unable to set a representative lap time and remained near the lower end of the timing screens.
The problem ultimately forced the British driver to return to the garage before the session concluded. With limited time left in FP1, McLaren opted not to continue its running programme on track.
The team later confirmed that Norris returned to the pit lane while engineers carried out precautionary checks on the gearbox.
“The car returned to the garage as the team conducts precautionary gearbox checks.”
Norris became the second driver unable to complete the opening practice session at Albert Park. Earlier, Fernando Alonso failed to run at all after Aston Martin reported a suspected power unit issue on his car.
The incidents added to a series of early technical setbacks during the opening practice session in Melbourne, as teams continue adapting to new technical packages and power units introduced for the Formula 1 2026 season.
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Fernando Alonso misses FP1 at the 2026 Australian Grand Prix after Aston Martin detects a suspected power unit issue on the AMR26.
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