Formula 2 (F2) was finally back for the first race weekend of the 2026 season, getting underway at the Australian GP with Free Practice. All 22 drivers were eager to make the most of every available lap, knowing that crucial track time ahead of Qualifying could prove decisive. With the Albert Park circuit notorious for its unpredictable conditions, the field was aware that both track evolution and the weather had the potential to change in a heartbeat, making each and every session all the more valuable.
Green lights for Free Practice
The drivers took to the circuit to commence the first Practice session of the 2026 season, with the majority of the field electing to start on the Soft tyre. The Supersoft was also available to teams, with both compounds on offer for the duration of the weekend. Colton Herta remained the centre of attention, as the former IndyCar driver made his Formula 2 debut with aspirations of ultimately securing a place on the Formula 1 grid.
Dino Beganovic was the first to post a competitive lap time, setting a 1:33.462, before Sebastián Montoya improved upon it with a 1:33.093. Herta settled between third and fourth position for a period, whilst rookie Mari Boya demonstrated considerable promise by working her way into the top five. As further runs were completed, Joshua Dürksen emerged at the top of the timesheets with a 1:31.939.
Close call
Beganovic and Fittipaldi came extraordinarily close to disaster as both drivers ran wide into the grass, though each managed to recover composure and rejoin the circuit without incident. Beganovic momentarily moved to the top of the timesheets in the aftermath, however Dürksen reclaimed the lead with a 1:30.966. Laurens van Hoepen also found himself momentarily off the circuit, though he successfully recovered and continued on his way. The session continued to evolve rapidly, as Gabriele Minì then set the fastest time of the session for MP Motorsport with a 1:30.535. The top of the standings remained remarkably tight, with Minì holding just a 0.009 second advantage over Noél León. Replay footage also revealed that Alexander Dunne had experienced a similarly close moment, briefly sliding onto the grass before maintaining control and returning to the circuit unscathed.
Red flag for Colton Herta
The session was brought to a halt by the red flag, as Colton Herta came to grief at the exit of Turn 10. The Hitech driver had lost control of the car and made contact with the barrier, bringing his session to a premature end.
???? RED FLAG ????
— Formula 2 (@Formula2) March 5, 2026
Colton Herta is off on the exit of Turn 10.#F2 #AusGP pic.twitter.com/Oau7xfcGJS
Until that point, the session had largely been a composed and orderly affair, with the field conducting themselves sensibly on track and little in the way of drama or incident.
Back green
With just 20 minutes remaining, the session had been a largely uneventful one, with little of note to report beyond the natural progression of lap times. Minì returned to the top of the timesheets with a 1:30.161, before León and then Beganovic each took a turn at the front. However, Minì reasserted himself emphatically, posting a 1:29.493 to move over six-tenths of a second clear of the field.
Final sessions of the 2026 F2 Australian GP 2026
The Italian’s lap time was subsequently deleted, however, which reshuffled the order considerably. Tsolov inherited the lead, with Câmara and Duerksen slotting into second and third respectively.
With ten minutes remaining in the Australian GP 2026 F2 Practice Session, the circuit continued to improve and the drivers responded in kind. Minì led the way with an impressive 1:29.137, placing him 0.408 seconds ahead of León, with Câmara rounding out the top three.
However, the session was once again interrupted by a second red flag. Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak had found the barrier at the exit of Turn 11, bringing the second red flag of the session out and halting proceedings once more.
???? RED FLAG ????
— Formula 2 (@Formula2) March 5, 2026
Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak finds the gravel.#F2 #AusGP pic.twitter.com/tqfAWcIXhL
That brought Free Practice to a conclusion, with Minì taking top spot ahead of León and Câmara. The Italian returned to the pit lane but suffered a loss of power to his car and rolled back into the pit lane. Tsolov finished fourth and Beganovic fifth, whilst Alexander Dunne claimed sixth for Rodin Motorsport, with teammate Martinius Stenshorne just behind in seventh. Miyata rounded out the top eight, with Duerksen ninth and Maini completing the top ten.
