The first race of the 2025 F1 season is upon us as Melbourne returns to host the season-opening Australian Grand Prix for the first time in six years.
All eyes will be on Lewis Hamilton as he makes his debut in the famous Ferrari red this weekend following a stunning reception from fans worldwide to his move from Mercedes, however he has already admitted that he doesn’t expect to be challenging for pole position on Saturday.
Max Verstappen claimed his fourth straight world championship in 2024 but McLaren’s Lando Norris is the favourite this year, with the papaya expected to have the quickest car. Norris’ teammate Oscar Piastri competes at his home race this weekend.
Last year at the tricky Albert Park street circuit in Melbourne, Carlos Sainz claimed a famous win as he led home a Ferrari one-two ahead of Charles Leclerc. Who will be victorious this Sunday?
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F1 AUSTRALIAN GP - LATEST UPDATES
- F1 returns this weekend with the Australian GP kicking off the 2025 season
- Qualifying starts at 5am (GMT), 4pm local, on Saturday morning
- Oscar Piastri quickest in FP3; Russell 2nd; Verstappen 3rd=
- Lewis Hamilton admits pole position unlikely on Ferrari debut
- ANALYSIS: Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari F1 are a ‘perfect match’ – but will results live up to the hype?
FP3 RESULTS IN FULL:
02:51
,
Kieran Jackson
Oscar Piastri leads the way with George Russell and Max Verstappen close behind...
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 15, 2025
Here's the final FP3 classification #F1 #AusGP pic.twitter.com/WpzfZ0vSSN
Qualifying start time!
02:19
After three fascinating practice sessions, we’re all set for qualifying this afternoon at a baking hot Albert Park!
Qualifying takes place at 5am (GMT), that’s 4pm local time.
Oscar Piastri quickest in FP3!
02:32
,
Kieran Jackson
A happy crowd in Melbourne as hometown hero Oscar Piastri goes fastest with a 1:15:921, 0.039 seconds clear of George Russell in second!
Max Verstappen is third-fastest, with Charles Leclerc in fourth - all within three-tenths of first though!
Lewis Hamilton? Down in P8. And look at Williams in sixth and seventh!
5-10: Antonelli, Sainz, Albon, Hamilton, Tsunoda, Norris,
George Russell goes P2!
02:28
,
Kieran Jackson
Russell gets 0.039 secs within Piastri up top!
That’s four different teams in the top four!
Session ending shortly...
Charles Leclerc:
02:28
,
Kieran Jackson
“The car is very oversteery... it doesn’t give me much confidence at all.”
Leclerc now P4...
Oscar Piastri now up to top spot!
02:23
,
Kieran Jackson
The Australian takes P1 by 0.081 seconds to Max Verstappen!
The times have kept tumbling during this session... it should be a terrifc qualifying later!
Russell and Antonelli currently P3 and P4 for Mercedes too!
Just under 10 minutes to go in FP3!
Max Verstappen back to P1!
02:16
,
Kieran Jackson
OK, now that’s a statement!
Verstappen goes P1 by four-tenths to George Russell in second!
Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz now third and fourth respectively after their first laps on softs... that Williams is looking really good!
George Russell goes P1!
02:13
,
Kieran Jackson
Mercedes join the party!
Russell goes P1 with a 1:16:402, 0.195 secs clear of new No 2 Lando Norris!
3-10: Verstappen, Leclerc, Hamilton, Albon, Sainz, Antonelli, Piastri, Tsunoda
Just over 15 mins to go!
Red Bull release detail on Liam Lawson:
02:09
,
Kieran Jackson
The Kiwi is yet to set a time in this session.
Red Bull statement: “The current issue on car 30 is a PU or PU system problem on the air side.
“We are working to find the problem.”
Lewis Hamilton goes third-fastest!
02:06
,
Kieran Jackson
Best we’ve seen from Lewis yet!
He goes third-fastest, behind Verstappen in 1st and Leclerc in 2nd, and is just 0.031 seconds off the Red Bull driver!
It’s tight!
Max Verstappen takes top spot!
02:03
,
Kieran Jackson
I don’t know what Red Bull have done to their car overnight, but it looks much better than yesterday!
Verstappen puts in a 1:16:646, 0.155 secs ahead of Alex Albon now in second!
3-10: Antonelli, Piastri, Leclerc, Norris, Sainz, Hulkenberg, Russell, Hamilton
Hamilton was on a personal best lap, but then abandoned the lap in the second sector. Unsure why...
30 mins to go in FP3!
Oscar Piastri P1!
01:54
,
Kieran Jackson
The Aussie goes fastest with a 1:17:298, 0.334 seconds clear of Max Verstappen in second.
And Piastri is joined by compatriot Jack Doohan in the top-three!
4-10: Leclerc, Antonelli, Sainz, Gasly, Ocon, Alonso, Albon
35 mins left!
WATCH: Bearman in the gravel
01:50
,
Kieran Jackson
Not the start to FP3 Ollie Bearman needed
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) March 15, 2025
He finds himself beached in the gravel ❌ pic.twitter.com/Kopm9Ts12u
Green flag!
01:41
,
Kieran Jackson
Bearman’s crash has been cleared via a truck, and we get going in FP3 once again!
50 mins left in this session...
Bearman crash!
01:37
,
Kieran Jackson
The only solace for the 19-year-old is that he didn’t hit the wall... so no obvious damage to the car!
It was just his first flying lap! He touched the grass slightly at turn 11 before spinning into the gravel!
Nevertheless, he’s set to be out of the session...
Bearman crashes!
01:35
,
Kieran Jackson
Not again Ollie!
The Haas driver has spun into the gravel!
A shake of the head from the Brit in the cockpit....
RED FLAG!
FP3 underway!
01:32
,
Kieran Jackson
No surprise who the first and only car out on track is straight away - Haas’ Ollie Bearman!
The British teenager missed second practice yesterday after his crash in FP1, making this a vital session for him ahead of qualifying!
Hell of an angle this!
01:20
,
Kieran Jackson
Turns 9 and 10 are stunning at Albert Park!
Music to our ears
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 15, 2025
There's nothing like the sound of F1 cars at high speed #F1 #AusGP pic.twitter.com/vOPZu1lOHj
FP3 15 mins away!
01:13
,
Kieran Jackson
It’s a big session coming up for the 20 drivers!
On a very warm day here in Melbourne, with temperatures around 31C, the drivers will make their final preparations for qualifying later on with this final hour of practice.
Will it be McLaren and Ferrari at the top? Or will we have a surprise in store...
Hamilton: It's too soon for pole
00:58
,
Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton says he does not expect to be on pole this weekend in Melbourne.
"For me I think it's a little bit early (to go for pole) as I continue to learn the car, but never say never.
"I will give it everything and (I'm) just not putting too much pressure on. Try and enjoy it. I have some pace to find. I know where to find it. It's just about going out and doing it."
Lando Norris after P3 in FP2:
00:37
,
Kieran Jackson
“So so. It was a pretty good start to the weekend, we’ve got a good baseline. Not confident with the car in terms of right balance, particularly on low fuel. Similar to Bahrain, bit of a struggle.
“I think we’ll be strong.”
Lewis Hamilton on cloud nine as Ferrari F1 debut looms: ‘This is the most exciting period of my life’
Friday 14 March 2025 23:15
,
Kieran Jackson
For all his stardust, Lewis Hamilton is not always the easiest interviewee.
When he’s on-form, Formula One’s biggest star is thoughtful and genuine, with the ears of everyone in the room fixed on his words. At times, however, particularly in the last three topsy-turvy years at Mercedes, he can be reticent to speak at all.
Not now, though. Hamilton has the essence of a man completely reborn donning the famous Ferrari red and, ahead of his debut race this weekend at the Australian Grand Prix, the 40-year-old was unwavering in his exhilaration at what is to come in his 19th F1 season.
Full piece below:
Martin Brundle on Bearman's crash:
Friday 14 March 2025 20:02
,
Kieran Jackson
“He just missed the apex, ran wide. Was probably a bit too gun-ho. It was a little bit overconfident and it will have knocked some of his confidence.
“He will lose some track time this weekend.”
Lewis Hamilton on six rookies this year:
Friday 14 March 2025 19:03
,
Kieran Jackson
“I remember the excitement, might not be the same for Kimi, being on track with Schumacher ahead of me, just followed him for as many laps until he came in. It’s very surreal and hard to believe it’s true, hard to believe what you’re seeing.
When I see the youngsters coming through, try to set a good example in what I do. I want to protect them from the bombardment they will experience, it can be a cruel world.
“They just need time, diamonds are created over time. I hope they have time and space to grow, be themselves, not have to conform and rush.
“Some drivers come in and are booted out straight away, I hope they’re given time. We all make mistakes in our life but we do it in front of the world. I hope you can take it easy on the youngsters, take it out on us!”
VIDEO: Ollie Bearman's crash
Friday 14 March 2025 15:02
Ollie Bearman's big moment in practice one pic.twitter.com/8I90HUK9Zd
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) March 14, 2025
Lando Norris 'ready to win title', says Mika Hakkinen
Friday 14 March 2025 14:18
,
Kieran Jackson
McLaren legend Mika Hakkinen has backed current driver Lando Norris, saying the Brit is “absolutely ready” to win the F1 Drivers’ Championship title this year.
The 25-year-old was Max Verstappen’s closest challenger in 2024 but made key mistakes at crucial times as the Red Bull star won a fourth title on the spin.
But former world champion Hakkinen was bullish when asked if Norris is now ready to win the title.
“Absolutely, yes,” Hakkinen told the Hindustan Times. “Why? Because I experienced many years of racing without success, but it was part of my development to become a good racing driver.
“You have to maintain your criticism about yourself. That way you keep developing and pushing. That means you are taking risks. Lando experienced all these elements in his career. He’s been taking risks. He’s been critical of himself. He’s been pushing flat out.
“When you’re not world champion, when you’re working towards that goal, it requires a lot of mistakes and stress. I believe Lando is ready. He is flat-out ready to achieve his goal.”
Oscar Piastri on whether McLaren can match Red Bull era of dominance:
Friday 14 March 2025 12:07
,
Kieran Jackson
“No, I don’t think so.
“That would be ideal, what every team dreams of but at this point in the regulations, expecting that is incredibly naive.
“This season is going to be just as tight if not tighter than the second half of last year. We have a new set of rules next year, which will change the pecking order or gaps a bit.
“This year will be a competitive year of F1, as much as I’d like to have that level of success, it’ll be very very tough.”
Lewis Hamilton on the pressure of racing for Ferrari:
Friday 14 March 2025 10:01
,
Kieran Jackson
“The pressure I’ve put on myself has been ten times higher than any pressure put upon me.
“I haven’t been made to feel any pressure, I know what I can deliver and it’s just getting my head down.
“No expectations this weekend, getting used to this new car. Ferrari power is new, different vibrations, different feel.”
Zak Brown claims McLaren have ‘best driver line-up’ in F1 after Oscar Piastri deal
Friday 14 March 2025 09:17
,
Kieran Jackson
Oscar Piastri has signed a multi-year deal with McLaren on the eve of the opening race of the new Formula 1 season, as the Australian seeks a first championship title at last year’s constructors’-winning team.
He finished fourth last year, winning in Hungary before claiming a second victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, and is one of the favourites for this season.
Piastri was already under contract until 2026 and has now secured his future with the British team until at least 2028.
Read McLaren head honcho Zak Brown’s thoughts on the deal:
Michael Schumacher tribute unveiled by son Mick and Sebastian Vettel
Friday 14 March 2025 08:58
,
Kieran Jackson
A group of prominent Formula 1 figures showed their support for Michael Schumacher at the Race of Champions in Sydney as they urged the seven-time world champion to “keep fighting”.
Mick Schumacher, the German great’s son, and former F1 driver Sebastian Vettel were among those in attendance as a banner was unveiled at the Accor Stadium.
Schumacher suffered a traumatic brain injury in a skiing accident in 2013 and has not since been seen in public, with few updates provided by his family about his health as he rehabilitates privately.
Story of the day
Friday 14 March 2025 08:19
,
Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton finished fifth in practice for the Australian Grand Prix as his Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc led the way in Melbourne.
Leclerc ended Formula One’s first running of the new season 0.124 seconds ahead of McLaren driver and home favourite Oscar Piastri. Lando Norris, billed as the pre-season championship favourite, topped the opening session. However, he had to settle for third later in the day, 0.141 sec off Leclerc’s pace.
Yet it was a nightmare day for Ollie Bearman, who crashed in first practice on his full-time debut in the sport for Haas.
Qualifying starts at 5am (GMT) on Saturday morning, with the race on Sunday at 4pm (GMT).
PRACTICE REPORT: Lewis Hamilton trails Charles Leclerc in Australian GP practice after Ollie Bearman suffers big crash
Friday 14 March 2025 07:58
,
Kieran Jackson
Kimi Antonelli ahead of Mercedes debut:
Friday 14 March 2025 07:41
,
Kieran Jackson
“It was quite a positive day, work to do on a single lap, getting the tyres in a solid window. More and more confidence lap by lap.
“It’s a bit too early to say for the weekend, the car felt good, we’ll see what we can do tomorrow.”
George Russell after practice and finishing P10:
Friday 14 March 2025 07:23
,
Kieran Jackson
“It was a really up and down day, mediums/hards was good, put the softs on and didn’t go much quicker.
On spin at turn 4: “Pushed the limits a bit too much then!”
Oscar Piastri after practice:
Friday 14 March 2025 07:06
,
Kieran Jackson
“It was pretty encouraging, pace was pretty solid, still a few issues to iron out but the underlying pace seems strong. Pretty happy with today’s work.
“The weather is going to be pretty different on Sunday, that will put some spanners in the works.”
FULL FP2 RESULTS:
Friday 14 March 2025 07:05
,
Kieran Jackson
Charles goes quickest in second practice
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 14, 2025
Here's the final FP2 classification #F1 #AusGP pic.twitter.com/Mw4VZSp99V
F1 qualifying start time and schedule!
Friday 14 March 2025 06:51
,
Kieran Jackson
Here are all the timings for all the action in Melbourne this weekend!
All times GMT
Saturday 15 March
- Free practice 3: 1:30am
- Qualifying: 5am
Sunday 16 March
- Race: 4am
FP2 RESULTS - TOP-10:
Friday 14 March 2025 06:10
,
Kieran Jackson
1. Charles Leclerc - 1:16:439
2. Oscar Piastri +0.124 secs
3. Lando Norris +0.141
4. Yuki Tsunoda +0.345
5. Lewis Hamilton +0.420
6. Isack Hadjar +0.580
7. Max Verstappen +0.624
8. Nico Hulkenberg +0.722
9. Lance Stroll +0.840
10. George Russell +0.843
Charles Leclerc fastest!
Friday 14 March 2025 06:02
,
Kieran Jackson
The Ferrari driver was fastest with a 1:18:439, 0.124 seconds quicker than Oscar Piastri in second with Lando Norris in third.
4-10: Tsunoda, Hamilton, Hadjar, Verstappen, Hulkenberg, Stroll, Russell
Both Racing Bulls ahead of Red Bull!
Friday 14 March 2025 05:55
,
Kieran Jackson
With Tsunoda in fourth and Hadjar in sixth, both drivers of the sister team are ahead of Max Verstappen (7th) and Liam Lawson (17th).
Not something you often see! A lot of drivers on medium tyres now as practice concludes here...
Bearman unlikely to make it out
Friday 14 March 2025 05:51
,
Kieran Jackson
Not looking good for Bearman with 10 minutes to go - his car is still up on the stand in the garage.
No track time in this session for the 19-year-old looks likely now...
McLaren boss Zak Brown, speaking to Sky Sports:
Friday 14 March 2025 05:48
,
Kieran Jackson
“Car looks strong, they’re comfortable - so far, so good.
“Everyone is still learning about their cars, we need to get it be a bit more complaint, need to optimise it. One step a time, we’re happy.”
Charles Leclerc goes P1!
Friday 14 March 2025 05:39
,
Kieran Jackson
A statement from the Ferrari driver!
He goes P1, 0.141 seconds quicker than Norris - who drops to third as Oscar Piastri squeezes into second.
Lewis Hamilton is now fifth-fastest, four-tenths off his teammate in first.
Lance Stroll goes off track!
Friday 14 March 2025 05:35
,
Kieran Jackson
The Aston Martin goes off track at turn 1, but simply goes across the grass and rejoins!
Stroll is currently P7.
Incidentally, Bearman still not out on track with 25 minutes left...
Lando Norris goes fastest!
Friday 14 March 2025 05:33
,
Kieran Jackson
The McLaren driver is dialled in today!
The Briton goes quickest with a 1:16:580, two-tenths quicker than Yuki Tsunoda.
3-10: Leclerc, Piastri, Hamilton, Stroll, Russell, Sainz, Alonso, Verstappen
Max Verstapen unstable!
Friday 14 March 2025 05:30
,
Kieran Jackson
Verstappen on a push lap backs out after turn 3 after struggling to control the car.
Concerned faces on the Red Bull pit wall...
Yuki Tsunoda goes P1!
Friday 14 March 2025 05:28
,
Kieran Jackson
A rapid time from the Japanese driver!
On the soft tyres, he goes top of the tree by 0.010 seconds to Charles Leclerc!
An early statement from the Racing Bulls driver...
HAAS UPDATE:
Friday 14 March 2025 05:22
,
Kieran Jackson
Bearman and his team are “planning to make it out during FP2.”
Charles Leclerc goes fastest!
Friday 14 March 2025 05:21
,
Kieran Jackson
The Monegasque goes above old teammate Carlos Sainz, while Lewis Hamilton makes it a Ferrari one-two with a time four-tenths off his teammate.
Twenty minutes gone, the top-10 is:
Leclerc, Hamilton, Sainz, Russell, Norris, Piastri, Albon, Tsunoda, Hadjar, Doohan
Carlos Sainz fastest by two-tenths!
Friday 14 March 2025 05:11
,
Kieran Jackson
That Williams is on rails!
Rapid in testing, rapid in FP1... and now rapid in FP2!
The Spaniard looking quick! However, let’s see in qualifying tomorrow...
Lewis Hamilton sixth-fastest
Friday 14 March 2025 05:10
,
Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton looked quick in the first two sectors of his push lap, but lost time in the final sector!
Among the guests in the Ferrari garage watching Hamilton is singer RAYE, who is performing here at Albert Park this weekend.
Norris is the quickest once again so far...
FP2 underway!
Friday 14 March 2025 05:03
,
Kieran Jackson
Second practice is underway at Albert Park!
Lando Norris having to go on the grass on the pit-exit to squeeze past the Red Bull of Liam Lawson!
Ollie Bearman's Haas update!
Friday 14 March 2025 05:01
,
Kieran Jackson
Bearman’s car is still being fixed in the Haas garage!
A new engine, gearbox and rear corners! Not ideal for the 19-year-old on his first full-time day in F1... it remains to be seen whether Bearman will[ feature in FP2!
FP2 5 minutes away!
Friday 14 March 2025 04:55
,
Kieran Jackson
A fascinating first practice session this morning - what will the second practice bring?
It all gets going in beautiful Melbourne sunshine in five minutes!
Toto Wolff repsonds to Verstappen links
Friday 14 March 2025 04:45
,
Kieran Jackson
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has claimed Max Verstappen is no longer on his radar and said he is ready to open talks with George Russell over a contract extension.
Wolff attempted to lure Verstappen to Mercedes as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton last year before the four-time world champion elected to stay at Red Bull.
Italian teenager Kimi Antonelli was instead promoted from the team's junior ranks alongside Russell for the new season which starts in Australia on Sunday.
Russell, 27, is entering his fourth season with Mercedes but his current deal is due to expire at the end of the year, leaving room for Wolff to make a play for Verstappen.
However, speaking in Melbourne ahead of Sunday's curtain-raiser, Wolff said: "We need to concentrate on our driver line-up.”
Ollie Bearman: ‘You only get one shot in F1 – my ultimate goal is to be a world champion’
Friday 14 March 2025 04:28
,
Kieran Jackson
As foolish as it sounds, Ollie Bearman’s manager was actually cut off from the call which changed the life of his most precious client. Fortunately, the British teenager himself was not short of credit on his phone.
Ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix last March, Ferrari suddenly needed a driver after Carlos Sainz fell ill. Relaxing idyllically off the shores of the Red Sea fresh from securing pole position in F2, 18-year-old Bearman spotted Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur’s name on his phone and, right then, knew he was about to be given the opportunity of a lifetime.
Kieran Jackson chats exclusively to the British F1 rookie sensation:
Max Verstappen on the potential of a tight F1 season:
Friday 14 March 2025 04:15
,
Kieran Jackson
“Impossible to know at the moment.
“We are not the quickest at the moment but it’s a very long season.
“From the start of last year to the end, a lot of things can change quickly in Formula 1?”
FULL FP1 RESULTS:
Friday 14 March 2025 03:10
,
Kieran Jackson
Lando