The opening race of the 2025 Formula 1 season, the Australian Grand Prix, was an action-packed event filled with drama, strategic battles, and unpredictable weather conditions. Held at Melbourne’s Albert Park Circuit, the race turned into a true spectacle with multiple incidents, intense on-track fights, and a rain-induced shake-up. McLaren’s rising star Lando Norris held his ground amid the chaos to claim a remarkable victory. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen finished second, while Mercedes’ George Russell secured the final podium spot.
A Rainy Start and Delayed Lights Out
The race kicked off under cool weather conditions with a wet track due to heavy rain earlier in the day. During the formation lap, most drivers opted for intermediate tires, with the exception of Lance Stroll, who chose a different strategy. However, disaster struck even before the race began. RB F1 Team’s rookie, Isack Hadjar, spun at Turn 2 and crashed into the barriers, damaging the rear of his car beyond repair. As a result, the race start was delayed by approximately 10 minutes.
Verstappen’s Early Attacks and First Incidents
Once the race got underway, McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri maintained their leading positions. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen launched an immediate attack on Piastri, quickly overtaking him to secure second place. Further back, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc made an impressive start, gaining two positions to move up to fifth.
The opening laps saw intense battles, but the first major crashes came soon after. Alpine’s Jack Doohan lost control at Turn 5 and crashed into the barriers, prompting an early Safety Car deployment. Just moments later, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz spun out and found himself in the barriers as well, forcing an early retirement.
On-Track Battles and Strategic Moves
By Lap 12, DRS was enabled, increasing the intensity of the race. On Lap 17, Oscar Piastri made a bold move on Verstappen, who miscalculated his braking and was forced off onto the gravel. This allowed Piastri to snatch second place. Meanwhile, Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli executed an aggressive overtake on Haas’ Nico Hülkenberg, gaining another position.
By Lap 30, Piastri had significantly closed the gap to Norris, leading to a tense moment within the McLaren camp. Initially, the team instructed Piastri to hold position, but a few laps later, they gave him the green light to race freely against his teammate.
Heavy Rain Strikes Again
Lap 34 saw another major twist as Fernando Alonso spun and crashed into the barriers at Turn 7, triggering another Safety Car period. During this time, most drivers switched to slick tires, with Norris, Piastri, Russell, and Leclerc opting for hard compounds, while Verstappen gambled on mediums.
When the Safety Car period ended on Lap 42, teams began warning their drivers about an incoming downpour. On Lap 44, Yuki Tsunoda made an impressive move on Leclerc, snatching fifth place. However, the rain arrived with full force, creating havoc on the track. Both Norris and Piastri lost control, allowing Verstappen to take the lead. Piastri went off onto the grass and briefly got stuck, but he managed to reverse out and rejoin the race at the back of the field.
As the rain intensified, most drivers dived into the pits for intermediates, but Verstappen stayed out in an attempt to hold onto the lead. However, the rain became too heavy, forcing the Dutchman to pit a lap later. Meanwhile, Hamilton and Leclerc, who had stayed out, found themselves temporarily leading the race.
Thrilling Final Laps
The treacherous conditions led to more incidents, with Liam Lawson and Gabriel Bortoleto both spinning into the barriers. Soon after, Hamilton and Leclerc also struggled to keep their cars on track and had to pit, allowing Norris to regain the lead. Verstappen slotted into second, with Russell maintaining third.
With just two laps to go, Verstappen closed in on Norris, reducing the gap to under a second and gaining DRS advantage. However, the McLaren driver held his nerve, defending brilliantly to cross the finish line first and secure a dramatic victory. Meanwhile, Mercedes’ Antonelli, who had climbed up to fourth, received a five-second penalty for an unsafe pit exit, dropping him behind Williams' Alex Albon.
Final Results and Season Outlook
The chaotic race concluded with McLaren taking a statement victory to kick off the 2025 season. Norris’ triumph not only showcased his skill but also highlighted McLaren’s potential as a serious contender this year. Verstappen, despite leading at one point, had to settle for second due to strategic miscalculations. Russell’s consistent drive earned Mercedes valuable points with a third-place finish.
Rounding out the top 10 were Albon, Antonelli, Stroll, Hülkenberg, Leclerc, Piastri, and Hamilton. Notably, Antonelli made an impressive climb, finishing 11 places higher than his starting position.
The 2025 season has already promised an electrifying year ahead, with the Australian Grand Prix delivering one of the most dramatic season openers in recent memory!