It is a cloudy day in Melbourne, and the track is fresh as the Formula 3 drivers make their way out onto the track for F3 Free Practice. Over half of this year’s grid is comprised of rookies, so this morning’s practice session is their first outing.
Gripping Up the Track
The drivers slowly make their way out on the track, taking turns sweeping dust off the track in the early minutes of the session. Therefore, the times aren’t representative early in this session as they all try to get to grips with the track.
There have been complaints of traffic as drivers begin to set their flying laps, with 30 cars out on track. The PREMA drivers are among the first to set representative flying laps on the board.
Elsewhere, the Aussie rookie, Patrick Heuzenroeder, filling in for Ernesto Rivera this weekend, struggles to get to grips with the car. He has had a few slides into the grass, preventing him from setting proper run times. Many other rookies seem to be struggling with the run down to Turn 1 and running off track.
Ugochukwu Holds Steady
Once the timing screens stop shuffling around, it is Ugo Ugochukwu with a 1:34:607 who sets the pace in this session. Almost half a second (+0.449) behind the Campos Driver, Noah Strømsted follows with the next best time. Ugochukwu holds his best time with 15 minutes left in the session.
Expectations Set for Slater
As drivers come in for fresh tyres, Freddie Slater has the track to himself with almost 10 minutes left in the session. His teammate Matteo De Palo, and former rival, follows closely behind him in 15th. There is a lot of talk around the young Brit’s impressive career heading into his first full season in F3. His past success has earned him a spot in the Audi Driver Development Programme for 2026.
It is still Ugochukwu with his earlier 1:34:607 run topping the timings, with 10 minutes remaining.
Engine Problems for Colnaghi
A Yellow Flag comes out as smoke starts to billow out the back of Mattia Colnaghi’s car with only 5 minutes left in the session. Fortunately, the young MP Motorsport driver quickly parks the car near the pit exit. Unfortunately, due to the placement of his car near the pit exit, a Red Flag is ultimately thrown up. The session is not resumed with four minutes left on the clock. Ugochukwu (1:34:607), Brando Badoer (+0.427) and Strømsted (+0.449) set the three fastest times.
After clearing the field by half a second, the F3 free practice session ends with Ugochukwu topping the times. However, Qualifying will most likely be a different story, as the track rubbers in throughout the day.
Qualifying this afternoon will set the grid for Sunday’s F3 2026 Australian Grand Prix.
Feature Image Credit: Formula 3/ Formula Motorsport Limited