F1 season returns with dramatic race at Albert Park

The 2025 Formula One season kicked off last weekend in Melbourne at the Albert Park Circuit in what was a dramatic race in variable conditions. Only 14 drivers finished the race in what proved to be a baptism of fire for most of the rookies for this season – only Kimi Antonelli finishing in the points, gaining 12 positions during the race.

During the formation lap, rookie Hadjar spun out in the wet conditions, causing the race to be shortened by one lap. Not long after, the race began and the troubles continued for the rookies, with Alpine driver Jack Doohan crashing out on the first lap and bringing out the safety car under which Carlos Sainz also crashed out on his Williams debut. The safety car came in at the beginning of the eighth lap and some full-speed racing ensued. Not much happened as the race started to dry up but veteran Fernando Alonso could not handle the conditions and spun out on lap 34, again bringing out the safety car. Once the safety car had come in after a long period out, there were decisions to make for all teams with more rain coming, to stay with intermediate tyres or to switch to the slick dry weather tyres and try and build a gap.

On lap 45, there was a disaster for McLaren. With both of their cars positioned first and second, there were mistakes heading into the penultimate corner. Norris dipped onto the grass but managed to recover into the pits, but Piastri spun completely onto the grass and was close to finding himself stranded. He managed to get back onto the tarmac after a lengthy stop. This allowed Max Verstappen to take the lead as he stayed out on his medium tyres. With rain on the way, telling Verstappen to “hold on” with his medium tyres proved to be the wrong decision for Red Bull. Norris, on lap 46 of 57, was the leading car on intermediate tyres before being the leading car overall as most drivers followed suit and pitted for intermediate tyres. Incidents for both Bortoleto and Lawson meant they ended up out of the race after both slipping on the kerbs, bringing the safety car out for the third time in Australia.

Norris held out for the race win, his best finish Down Under. His teammate managed to regain to ninth after the spin in his home race, disappointing for him and the team but getting the win can be seen as nothing but positive for McLaren.

This weekend we go racing in China, the first sprint of the season, in which new Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton took pole earlier this morning.

Current Driver’s Standings