🏎️🔥BREAKING: Lewis Hamilton avoids major crash as McLaren star tops day one of the… Read more

Lewis Hamilton avoids major crash scare as McLaren star tops day one of the 2026 Formula 1 season

 

By Hugo Harvey

 

The 2026 Formula 1 season officially roared into life on Friday at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, with drama arriving early during practice for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. While Lewis Hamilton showed promising pace on his first competitive race weekend for Ferrari, the seven-time world champion narrowly avoided a major accident in a frightening moment during the second practice session.

 

Hamilton’s first Friday of the year was largely encouraging, as he continued adapting to life in red after his high-profile move from Mercedes ahead of the 2026 campaign. However, the veteran driver experienced a moment that could easily have ended in disaster.

 

The incident occurred during the latter stages of FP2 when Hamilton was charging down the Albert Park straight on a fast lap. Ahead of him, Franco Colapinto was circulating slowly and appeared to remain on the racing line longer than expected. With little time to react, Hamilton was forced to take sudden evasive action, sharply swerving to avoid a potentially high-speed collision.

 

The Ferrari driver immediately expressed his shock over team radio after the close call, making it clear how dangerous the situation had been. At speeds well above 250 km/h, even a slight misjudgment could have led to a significant crash at one of the fastest sections of the Melbourne street circuit.

 

Fortunately, Hamilton managed to avoid contact and continue the session without damage to his SF-26 car. The incident, however, served as a stark reminder of the risks drivers face during busy practice sessions where cars on different programs share the circuit.

 

Despite the scare, Hamilton’s overall performance across the day was encouraging for Ferrari. The British driver appeared comfortable with the car’s balance and showed competitive pace compared to several of the grid’s leading teams.

 

Meanwhile, it was Lando Norris who set the benchmark during Friday’s running. The McLaren star delivered an impressive lap late in FP2 to finish at the top of the timesheets, signaling that the Woking-based outfit may once again be a serious contender at the front of the grid.

 

Norris’ performance reinforced the momentum McLaren built during the latter stages of the 2025 season. The British driver looked confident throughout both practice sessions, producing consistent long-run pace as well as strong single-lap speed.

 

Behind Norris, several teams showed flashes of potential as the competitive order began to take shape. Ferrari’s drivers appeared firmly within the leading pack, while reigning powerhouse Red Bull Racing also gathered valuable data during the day’s running.

 

The Albert Park circuit traditionally produces unpredictable sessions due to its semi-street layout and evolving track surface. With limited grip early in the weekend, drivers must balance pushing for performance with avoiding costly mistakes. Hamilton’s near-miss with Colapinto highlighted just how quickly things can go wrong in such conditions.

 

For Ferrari, the day represented a positive start to a highly anticipated season. Hamilton’s arrival has generated enormous excitement across the sport, with fans eager to see whether the British icon can capture a record-breaking eighth world championship while wearing Ferrari red.

 

The team has placed considerable hope in their new-generation challenger, designed to compete under the latest technical regulations. Early indications from Friday’s sessions suggest the car may indeed be capable of challenging at the front, although the true competitive order will only become clear during qualifying and the race itself.

 

For Hamilton personally, the Australian Grand Prix represents the beginning of a historic new chapter in his career. After more than a decade of success with Mercedes, the move to Ferrari has been described as one of the biggest driver transfers in Formula 1 history.

 

Friday’s near-miss may have briefly raised hearts in the Ferrari garage, but Hamilton quickly refocused on extracting performance from the car as the session continued. His calm recovery and solid pace suggested the 41-year-old remains as sharp as ever heading into the new season.

 

With one final practice session still to come before qualifying, teams will now analyze the vast amount of data gathered throughout Friday. Setup adjustments, tire management strategies, and race simulations will all play a crucial role in determining who emerges strongest when the lights go out on Sunday in Melbourne.

 

If the opening day of action is anything to go by, the 2026 Formula 1 season has already begun with the kind of drama and excitement that fans around the world have come to expect. For Hamilton, it was a day that combined promise, tension, and a moment that could easily have rewritten the story of his Ferrari debut weekend. 🏎️🔥

About The Author