P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Reigning Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen labelled his first day of practice at Formula 1’s Australian Grand Prix “messy” after
Red Bull’s driver finished second in both FP1 and FP2, trailing behind Lando Norris in the first session and Charles Leclerc in the second. Verstappen had a slide-off in FP1, damaging his RB20’s floor, causing him to miss the start of FP2 for repairs. Despite the setback, Verstappen praised his mechanics for the quick turnaround. The team lost some running time in FP2, but the stage is set for a close battle in qualifying. Verstappen acknowledged Ferrari’s speed and highlighted areas for improvement. Perez found Friday “tricky,” trailing behind in eighth, he sees Ferrari as a strong competitor this weekend. He emphasized the importance of high qualification and strategic planning for the race ahead.
