Haas rookie Oliver Bearman has lost a tyre after crashing heavily in the first practice of the Australian Formula One Grand Prix.
The highly-rated teenager, who made his F1 debut as a reserve driver with Ferrari last year, caused the session at Albert Park in Melbourne on Friday to be red-flagged for 10 minutes.
Bearman veered into the gravel, before spinning out and losing control of his car into a wall.
The English driver lost his front right tyre in the incident, but Haas declared over the radio that Bearman’s car was “safe”.
It was the second stoppage of the session after gravel on the track previously caused a red flag less than 10 minutes in.
McLaren star Lando Norris set the fastest lap, with his Australian teammate Oscar Piastri fourth quickest.
Australian rookie Jack Doohan recorded the 13th fastest time for Alpine while French teammate Pierre Gasly was 17th fastests.
However, they appeared to be on different programs.
Carlos Sainz, who claimed a surprise victory in Melbourne last year, set the second-fastest lap in his first round racing for Williams after exiting Ferrari ahead of Lewis Hamilton’s arrival.
Hamilton’s new teammate at Ferrari, Charles Leclerc, was third, but the seven-time world champion was well off the pace in 12th.
The 40-year-old was only one spot ahead of Doohan, who is preparing for his first GP as a full-time driver with Alpine.
The second practice of the day will get underway at 4pm local time, with a potential record crowd for a Friday session in Melbourne tipped to come through the gates.