Australian Practice

Gabriele Minì signaled his title intentions early by topping the first practice session of 2026. The Italian driver clocked a 1:29.137, leading a highly competitive field where the top ten were separated by less than a second. Noel León impressed with the second-fastest time for Campos Racing, just ahead of Rafael Câmara, who rounded out the top three in a promising start for Invicta Racing. The session was defined by drama for the series' newest star, Colton Herta. With just over 25 minutes remaining, the American lost the rear of his Hitech car and crashed, triggering a red flag. While Herta was able to walk away unscathed to the applause of the Melbourne crowd, the incident severely limited his track time, leaving him at the bottom of the timesheets. Other drivers also struggled with the low-grip conditions, including several trips through the gravel at Turn 3, but the session ultimately belonged to Minì, who looked composed as he navigated the dusty street circuit.