- The 2025 Formula 1 World Championship got underway with the Australian Grand Prix
- McLaren’s Lando Norris claimed the win ahead of Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen
- Mercedes-Benz AMG’s Andrea Kimi Antonelli was the best of the rookie drivers
The 2025 Formula 1 World Championship roared into action on Sunday with the Australian Grand Prix, held at Melbourne’s Albert Park Circuit and delivering an intense season opener full of drama, surprises, and a thrilling victory for McLaren’s Lando Norris.
Norris, the runner-up in 2024, was pursued closely by reigning champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing, who finished less than a second behind, while Mercedes-Benz AMG’s George Russell secured third place, crossing the line more than eight seconds adrift.
Challenging weather conditions played a major role in shaping the race. A wet and greasy track surface proved treacherous for many, with showers later intensifying to create even more chaos. The drama began before the race officially started, as RB rookie Isack Hadjar lost control at Turn 1 on the formation lap, crashing into the barriers and ending his debut before it even began. The misfortune continued for fellow rookie Jack Doohan, whose home Grand Prix ended prematurely when he slid into the barriers at Turn 6 before completing the first lap. Even seasoned driver Carlos Sainz was not spared, losing control at the final corner under Safety Car conditions and colliding into the barriers in a disastrous first lap for his debut at Williams.
Norris had started from pole position with teammate Oscar Piastri alongside him, but it was Verstappen who had the best launch when the lights went out, immediately applying pressure on the McLaren duo. Piastri struggled to hold position, allowing Verstappen to challenge early. The race was momentarily neutralized under a Safety Car period due to the early crashes, which lasted until the end of lap seven. When racing resumed, Norris held firm at the front, keeping Verstappen at bay, with Piastri in third and Russell in fourth, just ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
2025 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix – Photo via Ferrari
As conditions improved mid-race, drivers opted to switch to slick tires, leading to a shift in strategy. However, the return of rain caused another shake-up, catching out both McLaren drivers as they momentarily ran off track onto the grass. While Norris was able to recover and dive into the pits, Piastri lost significant ground. This allowed Verstappen, who was still on slick tires, to inherit the lead—albeit temporarily, as he was eventually forced to pit, handing the advantage back to Norris.
A final Safety Car period was triggered following crashes involving Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto and Red Bull’s Liam Lawson. When racing resumed, Verstappen launched a late attack on Norris, but the McLaren driver held his nerve, defending brilliantly to clinch victory. Their intense battle enabled Russell to close the gap, securing a strong podium finish for Mercedes. Just behind, Russell’s rookie teammate Kimi Antonelli impressed with a stellar drive, finishing fourth after a successful post-race appeal overturned a penalty for an unsafe pit release, which had initially dropped him behind Williams’ Alex Albon.
Meanwhile, Ferrari endured a frustrating season opener, with neither driver able to mount a serious challenge. Lewis Hamilton, in his highly anticipated debut for the Scuderia, struggled throughout the weekend, qualifying eighth and ultimately finishing 10th. Leclerc fared only slightly better, crossing the line in eighth. The duo gambled on staying out longer on non-intermediate tires, hoping for a break in the weather, but the strategy backfired, forcing them into a late pit stop that left them fighting through traffic.
Following the weekend’s action, Norris leads the 2025 Drivers’ Championship with 25 points. Verstappen is second with 18 points, and Russell is third with 15 points. In the Constructors’ Championship, McLaren and Mercedes are tied with 27 points, while Red Bull is third with 18 points. The next race on the calendar is the Shanghai Grand Prix, scheduled for this weekend.
2025 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix – Photo via McLaren
Below are the full results from the 2025 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix:
1) Lando Norris, McLaren
2) Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing +0.895 seconds
3) George Russell, Mercedes-Benz AMG +8.481 seconds
4) Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes-Benz AMG +10.135 seconds
5) Alexander Albon, Williams +12.773 seconds
6) Lance Stroll, Aston Martin +17.413 seconds
7) Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber +18.423 seconds
8) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari +19.826 seconds
9) Oscar Piastri, McLaren +20.448 seconds
10) Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari +22.473 seconds
11) Pierre Gasly, Alpine +26.502 seconds
12) Yuki Tsunoda, RB +29.884 seconds
13) Esteban Ocon, Haas +33.161 seconds
14) Oliver Bearman, Haas +40.351 seconds
NC) Liam Lawson, Red Bull Racing – DNF
NC) Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber – DNF
NC) Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin – DNF
NC) Carlos Sainz, Williams – DNF
NC) Jack Doohan, Alpine – DNF
NC) Isack Hadjar, RB – DNF
