The 2025 Formula 1 season roared into action under the bright skies of Albert Park, delivering an electrifying Australian Grand Prix that set the tone for the year ahead.
With a grid packed full of talent, strategy, and high-stakes battles, Melbourne once again proved why it remains a staple of the F1 calendar.
Lando Norris Triumphs in a Wild Australian GP
The 2025 Formula 1 season roared into action under the gloomy skies of Albert Park, delivering an electrifying Australian GP that set the tone for the year ahead.
The season opener had everything – drama, crashes, unpredictable weather, and a thrilling fight to the finish.
In the end, it was Lando Norris who held his nerve to take a stunning victory, fending off a relentless Max Verstappen in an unforgettable race.
A Chaotic Start: Formation Lap Drama and Early Exits
The drama at the 2025 Australian GP started before the lights even went out. Isack Hadjar crashed into the barriers at Turn 2 on the formation lap, forcing an aborted start. Once the track was cleared, the drivers went around again for a second formation lap before finally getting underway.
As the race began, Norris maintained his lead, while Verstappen quickly snatched P2 from Oscar Piastri. However, the chaotic nature of the race was only just beginning.
Alpine’s Jack Doohan spun and crashed out early, bringing out the Safety Car. Moments later, Williams’ Carlos Sainz lost control and hit the barriers after the last corner, adding another layer of early-race drama.
The incidents forced the rest of the grid to drive through the pit lane multiple times before the race resumed on Lap 8.
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McLaren’s Control
On Lap 18 Piastri reclaimed second place as Verstappen went wide. By Lap 27, the track still wasn’t dry enough for slicks, and most of the drivers struggled for grip on their Intermediate tyres.
Piastri closed in on Norris, eager to challenge for the lead, but McLaren issued team orders, instructing him to hold position. Flashbacks to 2024’s ‘Papaya Rules’ surfaced, stirring frustration among fans.
However, on Lap 33, Piastri was finally given permission to race his teammate but was told to “remember the rules.”
Alonso Triggers Strategy Calls
On Lap 34, Alonso lost control, retiring from the race and triggering yet another Safety Car for the 2025 Australian GP.
Alonso’s incident prompted the rest of the grid to switch to slicks. Verstappen, Alexander Albon, Nico Hulkenberg, Gabriel Bortoleto, and Liam Lawson opted for Mediums, while the majority – including both McLarens – chose Hards.
Haas, however, chose to stay out on Intermediates, hoping for more rain.
As teams anxiously monitored the radar, the strategy battle intensified: had Haas made the right call, or was the rest of the grid better prepared?
Before the anticipated rain arrived, Haas abandoned its gamble and pitted for slicks.
However, Alonso’s stranded car led to a highly controversial moment – a recovery truck was deployed onto the circuit while cars were still circulating under the Safety Car.
The FIA’s reluctance to call a red flag reignited safety concerns, as the dangerous situation echoed past incidents that had drawn widespread criticism.
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The Rain Strikes: Ferrari’s Costly Gamble
On Lap 42, Leclerc’s race engineer issued a warning: ‘Class 3’ rain – heavy rain – was incoming. With the entire grid on slicks, teams braced for a frantic round of pit stops.
Two laps later, both Norris and Piastri ran wide at Turn 2, but while Norris managed to stay on track, Piastri spun into the grass. The home hero was cheered on as he rejoined, but he had fallen to the back of the pack.
There and then, the hopes of finally seeing an Australian driver on the podium of the Australian GP were put to rest for another year.
As drivers scrambled to pit for Intermediates, Ferrari hesitated. Verstappen and others switched tyres immediately, while Ferrari attempted to gain track position by staying out.
For a brief moment, it seemed to work – Hamilton and Leclerc ran 1-2. But as the downpour intensified, their decision backfired. By the time they finally pitted, they had dropped to the bottom of the top ten.
Rookie Spotlight: Kimi Antonelli’s Eventful Debut
Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli faced a challenging debut weekend. In qualifying, he suffered floor damage after running wide at Turn 6, leading to an early exit in Q1.
Starting the Australian GP from 16th on the grid, Antonelli showcased resilience during the race, climbing up the order despite the treacherous conditions.
He displayed bold overtaking maneuvers, impressing many. However, a late-race penalty for an unsafe pit release dropped him from fourth to fifth place.
This penalty was overturned after Mercedes petitioned for a ‘Right of Review.’ The team presented a roll-hoop camera video, which was previously unavailable to the FIA. Antonelli returned to fourth, with Albon behind in fifth.
Nevertheless, his performance hinted at a promising future in F1.
The Final Laps: Norris Seals Australian GP Win
With the race entering its closing stages, Norris held firm at the front, expertly managing his tyres and navigating the tricky conditions.
As the checkered flag waved, Norris crossed the line to secure a statement victory for McLaren. Verstappen settled for second, while George Russell completed the podium for Mercedes after a well-executed strategy.
The 2025 season opener delivered on all fronts – unpredictability, strategy, and on-track drama.
Norris’ Australian GP win cemented McLaren’s status as a serious contender, while Ferrari was left questioning its costly pit stop blunder.
If this race is anything to go by, F1 fans are in for a thrilling season ahead.
Australian GP Race Results
|
Pos |
No |
Driver |
Car |
Laps |
Time/retired |
Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
4 |
Lando Norris |
McLaren Mercedes |
57 |
1:42:06.304 |
25 |
|
2 |
1 |
Max Verstappen |
Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT |
57 |
+0.895s |
18 |
|
3 |
63 |
George Russell |
Mercedes |
57 |
+8.481s |
15 |
|
4 |
12 |
Andrea Kimi Antonelli |
Mercedes |
57 |
+10.135s |
12 |
|
5 |
23 |
Alexander Albon |
Williams Mercedes |
57 |
+12.773s |
10 |
|
6 |
18 |
Lance Stroll |
Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes |
57 |
+17.413s |
8 |
|
7 |
27 |
Nico Hulkenberg |
Kick Sauber Ferrari |
57 |
+18.423s |
6 |
|
8 |
16 |
Charles Leclerc |
Ferrari |
57 |
+19.826s |
4 |
|
9 |
81 |
Oscar Piastri |
McLaren Mercedes |
57 |
+20.448s |
2 |
|
10 |
44 |
Lewis Hamilton |
Ferrari |
57 |
+22.473s |
1 |
|
11 |
10 |
Pierre Gasly |
Alpine Renault |
57 |
+26.502s |
0 |
|
12 |
22 |
Yuki Tsunoda |
Racing Bulls Honda RBPT |
57 |
+29.884s |
0 |
|
13 |
31 |
Esteban Ocon |
Haas Ferrari |
57 |
+33.161s |
0 |
|
14 |
87 |
Oliver Bearman |
Haas Ferrari |
57 |
+40.351s |
0 |
|
NC |
30 |
Liam Lawson |
Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT |
46 |
DNF |
0 |
|
NC |
5 |
Gabriel Bortoleto |
Kick Sauber Ferrari |
45 |
DNF |
0 |
|
NC |
14 |
Fernando Alonso |
Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes |
32 |
DNF |
0 |
|
NC |
55 |
Carlos Sainz |
Williams Mercedes |
0 |
DNF |
0 |
|
NC |
7 |
Jack Doohan |
Alpine Renault |
0 |
DNF |
0 |
|
NC |
6 |
Isack Hadjar |
Racing Bulls Honda RBPT |
0 |
DNS |
0 |
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Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / HochZwei
Recording Date: 16.03.2025
