F1 update – Australian GP

Formula 1 2025 kicked off this past weekend with the first round of the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, Australia for the Australian Grand Prix.

McLaren’s Lando Norris started the season as he finished last season by taking victory in a chaotic race ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen who finished second whilst Mercedes George Russell completed the podium by finishing third.

Australian GP – top 5:

• 1st: Lando Norris – McLaren
• 2nd: Max Verstappen – Red Bull
• 3rd: George Russell – Mercedes
• 4th: Andrea ‘Kimi’ Antonelli – Mercedes
• 5th: Alexander Albon – Williams

Other highlights:

• Mercedes rookie Andrea ‘Kimi’ Antonelli was initially given a 5 second time penalty for an unsafe release during his final pitstop, but Mercedes would win the appeal meaning he was reinstated to fourth.
• Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Sir Lewis Hamilton struggled in the changable conditions, but still finished eighth and tenth respectively, the former would also spin on lap 44.
• McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was running in second for majority of the race, but would spin off on lap 44, he would eventually finish the race in ninth.
• Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar would have a debut to forget as he would crash out on the formation lap which delayed the start.
• Alpine’s Jack Doohan and Williams’s Carlos Sainz would crash out on the opening lap in seperate incidents, those incidents would bring the safety car out for the first time.
• Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso would crash out on lap 33 which in turn bought out the safety car for the second time.
• Sauber’s rookie Gabriel Bortoleto would crash out after a suspension failure on lap 46, whilst Red Bull’s Liam Lawson would crash out moments later on lap 47 which would bring out the safety car for the third time.

News:

• McLaren’s Oscar Piastri has signed a new long term contract to remain with the team.
• President of Formula 1 Stefano Domenicali will remain in his role after signing a new 5 year deal.
• Formula 1’s governing body the FIA are set to introduce a technical directive ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix.

The next round of the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship will be held at the Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai, China for the Chinese Grand Prix on 21st to 23rd March.

Here are Aston and regular contributor Cameron Perkins with the latest from the world of Formula 1.