What a race. What a method to open the season. McLaren dominated, though the reigning Constructors’ Champions might already be exhibiting a couple of cracks that hampered them in 2024.
There have been additionally six rookies (form of) to speak about and a sure Canadian driver who delivered as soon as once more to little or no fanfare.
McLaren begin off completely however technique cracks nonetheless exhibiting
For the primary time since 2012, McLaren have received the opening race of the season.
It ought to’ve been their first 1-2 to begin a season since 1998, however a bit of grass and a few water on the observe had different concepts.
Nonetheless, you have already got to query what’s going on within the technique room.
Recent off a 2024 that raised many questions on how they handled staff orders, and likewise after each Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri had been quizzed concerning the so known as implementation of ‘Papaya Guidelines’ all weekend, the staff determined to make each drivers maintain station through the essential center elements of the race.
This got here after Piastri closed proper up on Norris and regarded set to problem him for the win, whereas the specter of rain lingered over head.
Oscar Piastri of Australia and McLaren F1 Group. (Picture by Qian Jun/MB Media/Getty Photos)
Why on earth ought to there be any type of orders being put into place within the very first race of the season?
If Piastri was quick sufficient to cross Norris, he ought to’ve been allowed to problem him. Each drivers are able to racing laborious whereas maintaining it on the observe, and it will’ve supplied an entertaining battle to arrange a tense battle in 2025.
It stays to be seen if the staff goes to stay to their perception that ‘Papaya Guidelines’ is a factor of the previous or if we’re about to see it occur once more this 12 months.
Australian curse continues
There have been 39 Australian Grands Prix as a part of the World Method One Championship since 1985 with zero (authorized) podiums for an Australian driver.
It regarded just like the curse is likely to be damaged.
However on lap 44, each single Australian F1 fan felt a dose of déjà vu, as Piastri discovered his means within the grass and ended any hope of an Aussie podium.
Requested about what Australia has to do over the following 12 months as a way to assist break the curse at Albert Park, a disenchanted Piastri advised The Roar that some further gardening may happen on the circuit.
“If they may mow the grass about a few inches shorter which may assist,” he mentioned. “I believe it’s clearly a disgrace with the way it went in the present day. I felt like the group deserved to have a podium so it clearly hurts in the intervening time that I can’t be up there.
Regardless of the frustration, Piastri remained upbeat that the curse might be damaged subsequent 12 months.
“If we’ve bought a automotive like we had in the present day sooner or later, hopefully we don’t have to attend an excessive amount of extra.”
Mark Webber’s fourth in 2012 and Dan Ricciardo’s fourth in 2016 & 2018 stay the very best end for an Australian on the Australian Grand Prix.
Not fairly a pink letter debut for Hamilton at Ferrari
For all of the hype round Lewis Hamilton for his Ferrari debut, the seven-time World Champion left disenchanted.
At no level throughout the weekend did Hamilton look more likely to crack the highest three, and in the long run he solely left Australia with a solitary level, his worst-ever end on the Australian Grand Prix.
Dealing with the query a number of occasions throughout the 4 days in Melbourne, Hamilton was all the time buoyant about all the expertise at Ferrari, and the way it had been like nothing he had ever skilled earlier than.
Even seeing simply how the followers and media had been round him was additionally completely different, with simply the aura of Ferrari and the aura of Hamilton coming collectively in a means that felt proper.
Six rookies, six completely different tales at Albert Park
A 12 months in the past in Australia there was not a single rookie racing round Albert Park. This time round there have been six on this explicit race all of them skilled one thing completely different.
Oliver Bearman discovered himself out of two apply periods and ranging from the pit lane for the race. He was considered one of solely two rookies to complete.
The opposite was Kimi Antonelli, who discovered himself in a formidable fourth place, giving him the very best F1 debut since Kevin Magnussen completed second on the Australian Grand Prix in 2014.
It was a powerful restoration by the Italian who had certified behind the grid and struggled for a lot of the weekend to be on the tempo in comparison with his teammate George Russell.
Maybe probably the most intriguing rookie of the weekend was Aussie Jack Doohan. Having had his season written off earlier than it started and plenty of anticipating him to be dropped in some unspecified time in the future this 12 months, he carried out solidlyand was very unfortunate to not make Q3. Aspin and crash within the race put that effort to mattress
Isack Hadjar additionally impressed however embarrassingly crashed out on flip one of many formation lap.
He was in tears and was consoled by Lewis Hamilton’s father as he tried to cover his disappointment.
Gabriel Bortoletto was on the same web page to each Doohan and Hadjar. Robust performances all weekend earlier than a disappointing crash within the race.
Kiwi Liam Lawson, probably the most skilled rookie of all of them, had a nightmare weekend, off the tempo of teammate Max Verstappen, out of qualifying in Q1 and within the wall through the race.
A sure Mexican driver is likely to be watching from afar questioning why Lawson was seen as an enchancment for 2025, however Lawson has many extra alternatives to come back to point out why that was the case.
Spherical 1 F1 staff energy rankings:
5. Ferrari
The place did the tempo go? A staff that regarded more likely to be difficult for the win in Albert Park regarded nowhere close to it. Contemplating a 12 months in the past they went 1-2 at Albert Park, it’s a giant drop off.
4. Racing Bulls
The most important shock, Racing Bulls regarded nice throughout the weekend and had been unfortunate to not depart with a wholesome dose of factors. Yuki Tsunoda was on type and his sensational fifth on the grid was maybe the spotlight of the weekend.
3. Mercedes
George Russell had a little bit of an invisible weekend however was all the time close to or within the high 5, and third within the race was a superb return for him. Kimi Antonelli discovered his footing because the weekend progressed, and fourth was an amazing consequence on debut. Proper now look more likely to be the primary staff to problem McLaren.
2. Williams
For a staff to go from the place they had been in 2024 to the place they’re now could be a giant leap, particularly given they had been nipping on the heels of the highest 4. Alex Albon saved his head after an amazing qualifying to complete fifth, whereas Carlos Sainz would’ve simply been up there too had he not discovered himself within the wall early on within the race. Some nice indicators for the Grove staff.
1. McLaren
Dominated the weekend and unfortunate to not get their first 1-2 at Albert Park since 1998. Nonetheless some questionable technique choices happening on the staff, but it surely’s early days, with loads extra alternatives to repair them.
Spherical 1 F1 driver energy rankings:
Verstappen showcases talent once more as high ten crammed with surprises
5. Yuki Tsunoda
It’s laborious to see how he left with none factors given how effectively he raced. An incredible qualifying efficiency combined with sturdy driving in each session, he confirmed as soon as once more that Pink Bull are loopy to not have thought-about him extra for that second seat alongside Verstappen.
4. Oscar Piastri
One key second apart, Oscar had an incredible weekend. Sadly, for him (and for each Australian F1 fan), that key second value him a podium and doable win, including extra ache to the native followers who’re dying to see an Aussie on the rostrum at Albert Park.
3. George Russell
Solidly within the high 5 for a lot of the weekend, George drove an unspectacular race however scored a podium as a consequence of being so stable and maintaining out of hazard. If Ferrari proceed to be behind, he’ll be in a superb place to problem the McLaren drivers sooner or later when additional incidents occur.
2. Max Verstappen
As soon as once more proves why he’s the very best driver within the discipline by bringing residence a automotive that isn’t within the high three to a close to victory. Stored the highest three fascinating initially when he bought forward of Piastri, earlier than pushing laborious in opposition to Norris within the closing laps to offer him a little bit of a scare. If he retains this up, he’ll simply be difficult for title quantity 5 this season.
1. Lando Norris
Bear in mind a 12 months in the past when a fan shouted at him in Melbourne about not profitable a race and he flipped them off? Nicely, take a look at him now. 5 profession wins, his first in Australia and first within the opening race, and begins the season in the absolute best means. Lando No Wins is a protracted distant reminiscence now.
