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![A marshal stays next to the Williams of Alexander Albon after he crashed it during practice on Friday, March 22, ahead of Sunday's Australian Grand Prix at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne. AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PE4LHTBRHZR5SNDI2FBOJVJREU.jpg?smart=true&auth=14950856a13ceab5da58091c4cbef2343a2539e0a5c0bb1ae3c9145471fd7388&width=400&height=225)
![Ferrari's Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc leaves pit lane during the second practice session of the Formula One Australian Grand Prix at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne on March 22, 2024. (Photo by Martin KEEP / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JMEIFJBI6WDE2DDDJRQLGSE3U4.jpg?smart=true&auth=6ee519e35220c8c7776ea2adb59e4a1cd0a6b4642f6482387e8b177a7d723ae5&width=400&height=225)
![Ferrari's Charles Leclerc loses control of his car during the second practice session. AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GUXSDH67B6CDQZ5ZMIVEQNLLA4.jpg?smart=true&auth=b2b68382a773c968df4618706df9225f53c255e4bd86dbf4d9823c454b86de2a&width=400&height=225)
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![Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton competes during the second practice session. The British driver finished in 18th place. AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6S7VJT6XUVSLDP74BZF5NXHYOU.jpg?smart=true&auth=d27eee3187539fa7fc947b4ffa0a9a21aa1b0e26825cce0ca1c42961cbc56f37&width=400&height=225)
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![Red Bull team principal Christian Horner looks on in the pits during practice. EPA](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CBL3P6CHMZKSE5MZP6XJ47UJSY.jpg?smart=true&auth=eff18f5de57fcffd0a65bfa424ea991bb5bb80273737cc2be2abc39be9d7c3b3&width=400&height=225)
![A marshal stays next to the Williams of Alexander Albon after he crashed it during practice on Friday, March 22, ahead of Sunday's Australian Grand Prix at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne. AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PE4LHTBRHZR5SNDI2FBOJVJREU.jpg?smart=true&auth=14950856a13ceab5da58091c4cbef2343a2539e0a5c0bb1ae3c9145471fd7388&width=400&height=225)
![Ferrari's Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc leaves pit lane during the second practice session of the Formula One Australian Grand Prix at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne on March 22, 2024. (Photo by Martin KEEP / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JMEIFJBI6WDE2DDDJRQLGSE3U4.jpg?smart=true&auth=6ee519e35220c8c7776ea2adb59e4a1cd0a6b4642f6482387e8b177a7d723ae5&width=400&height=225)
![Ferrari's Charles Leclerc loses control of his car during the second practice session. AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GUXSDH67B6CDQZ5ZMIVEQNLLA4.jpg?smart=true&auth=b2b68382a773c968df4618706df9225f53c255e4bd86dbf4d9823c454b86de2a&width=400&height=225)
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![Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton competes during the second practice session. The British driver finished in 18th place. AFP](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6S7VJT6XUVSLDP74BZF5NXHYOU.jpg?smart=true&auth=d27eee3187539fa7fc947b4ffa0a9a21aa1b0e26825cce0ca1c42961cbc56f37&width=400&height=225)
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Leclerc beats Verstappen in Australian GP practice as Hamilton struggles and Albon crashes
Ferrari driver outpaces Dutch world champion as Sainz clinches third on first drive since surgery
The National
March 22, 2024
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