Leclerc beats Verstappen in Australian GP practice as Hamilton struggles and Albon crashes

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc beat Red Bull's Max Verstappen into second spot in Australian Grand Prix practice on Friday – as Lewis Hamilton laboured and Alex Albon crashed his Williams spectacularly.

Reigning world champion Verstappen has won the first two races of the season and is aiming to match his record of 10 consecutive victories this weekend.

But Leclerc finished 0.381 seconds faster than his rival in Melbourne as his Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz was third after returning from surgery on his appendix.

Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin were fourth and fifth, with Mercedes' George Russell in sixth.

Hamilton ended up down in 18th place and claimed there was “something was wrong” with his car.

Leclerc said afterwards: "It feels good for now. We had a positive day.

"It's a good start but we need to keep working very hard because I'm sure we will see some surprises tomorrow. I would say we are in a better position than in the first two races. However. Red Bull weren't pushing yet.

"I think they are still ahead but we may have our best shot since the beginning of the season."

Verstappen was unable to match Leclerc's pace and said: "It was alright. Ferrari is quick but there are a few more things we can fine-tune. Nothing crazy, nothing worrying, just need to fine-tune the car."

After a challenging day, Hamilton said: "I don't feel great. One of the worst sessions I've had for a long time. The car in P one felt the best it's ever felt and then it got worse and worse. We made some big changes on P two and it was tough."

Alex Albon FP1 crash #F1 #Formula1 #AustralianGP pic.twitter.com/DAYNI100SD

Leclerc’s Ferrari teammate Sainz – back in his cockpit following British teenager Ollie Bearman’s stand-in drive in