The 2025 F1 season kicked off with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, where wet weather conditions added an element of unpredictability to the race. The formation lap revealed low visibility, prompting all drivers to start on intermediate tires except for Lance Stroll, who opted for full wets. Isask Hadjar and Yuki Tsunoda impressed in qualifying, with the latter securing a spot on the third row of the grid.
Williams showed strong pace with Alex Albon qualifying in sixth ahead of Ferrari drivers Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc. Red Bull faced setbacks with Liam Lawson starting from the pit lane due to a rear wing change. McLaren CEO Zak Brown anticipated a rolling safety car start.
Max Verstappen, aiming for his fifth title, faced tough competition from McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes. The grid saw Norris and Piastri on the front row, with Verstappen in third. The rain was expected to level the playing field, potentially benefiting drivers like Leclerc and Hamilton, who hadn’t shown impressive pace in dry conditions.
The race marked the start of a new season with Verstappen as the reigning champion, but with fierce competition from other drivers eager to challenge his dominance. Stay tuned for the lights out at 9pm PST/4am GMT/3pm AEDT.
Source
Photo credit www.theguardian.com
