India, March 6 -- Reigning world champion Lando Norris struggled with his gearbox. Four-time world champion Max Verstappen locked up, went off-piste and displayed his rally skills as he negotiated gravel at Melbourne's Albert Park. The grid's only rookie, Arvid Lindblad suffered teething troubles as his Racing Bull conked off.

Formula 1 faced its usual season-opening shenanigans as the first two practice sessions of the Australian Grand Prix got underway on Friday. This also quelled the doubts and criticism as the newer generation of cars looked sprightly, navigating corners in vehicles that have much less grip than in yesteryears.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and McLaren's Oscar Piastri topped the timesheets in the two sessions. But are t...