2025 Australian Grand Prix: Chaos, Comebacks, and Changing Fortunes

The 2025 Australian Grand Prix had everything—drama, unpredictability, and a true masterclass from Lando Norris. Rain always levels the playing field, but this race proved that drivers make the real difference.

Lando Norris: The Star of the Show

Lando Norris was in a league of his own. Aside from one minor off-track moment, he was calm, composed, and in complete control. The growth from his 2024 campaign was evident—his tire management was exceptional, his pace was relentless, and his communication with his engineer was flawless. Most impressively, when it mattered, he took charge of his own strategy, making the right calls under immense pressure.

Even with a charging Max Verstappen behind him, Norris never cracked. He proved he has what it takes to win, even under the toughest conditions. This wasn’t just a race victory—it was a statement.

But while Norris shined, McLaren’s team orders raised eyebrows. Oscar Piastri had the pace, was in DRS range, and looked set to challenge for the lead. Yet, McLaren told him to back off—only to later say he could push when he had already lost three seconds. That decision was, frankly, bullocks. If McLaren wants to fight for a championship, they need to define what their team rules actually are.

Ferrari: Where Was the Wet Weather Pace?

Ferrari entered the race with a wet-weather setup, yet their performance on intermediate tires was underwhelming. Despite the assumption that they would have an advantage in mixed conditions, both drivers struggled to extract pace and make overtakes.

 • Charles Leclerc made an excellent start, gaining two positions on the opening lap. However, from that point forward, he was unable to progress further, highlighting Ferrari’s limitations in race trim. The car lacked both balance and the necessary grip to challenge competitors in the wet.

 • Lewis Hamilton remained stuck in eighth place for most of the race, unable to capitalize on Ferrari’s supposed wet-weather strength. Given his experience and ability in such conditions, this performance suggests deeper issues with the car’s setup or race execution.

Ferrari’s strategic decision-making was once again questionable. Despite clear opportunities to switch to intermediate tires at the optimal time, the team hesitated, ultimately compromising track position. Additionally, radio communication between the drivers and their engineers was not as effective as it needed to be.

 •  The exchanges between Riccardo Adami and Hamilton lacked the clarity required for a driver navigating difficult conditions at high speeds. A seamless driver-engineer relationship is essential, yet it appeared disjointed.

 • Leclerc’s situation was even more concerning—his seat was reportedly filled with water, adding further discomfort in an already challenging race. However, the communication regarding this issue was neither prompt nor decisive, leaving him to manage the situation with little support from the pit wall.

The result? Ferrari sits seventh in the Constructors’ Championship, behind Williams, Sauber, and Aston Martin. The team has two highly capable drivers and a car that has shown flashes of strong performance, but if their race execution—both strategically and operationally—does not improve, their 2025 campaign could quickly become an uphill battle.

Mercedes: A Rising Star Emerges

If there was one team that nailed the conditions, it was Mercedes.

 • George Russell had a mature, controlled drive. He knew his limits, avoided unnecessary risks, and secured a solid result.

 • Kimi Antonelli? A future superstar in the making.

Antonelli’s P16 to P5 comeback was nothing short of spectacular. He kept his cool while others crashed, recovered from a mistake without hitting the wall, and proved exactly why Mercedes rates him so highly. He thrives in the wet, and this race confirmed that he’s a serious threat—especially to Russell.

And here’s the key point: Antonelli was faster than Russell throughout the race. Despite starting at the back, he carved through the field with ease, showcasing both raw speed and incredible racecraft in treacherous conditions. If this is how he performs in his debut, imagine what he’ll do with more experience.

Only five drivers in F1 history have finished in the top five on debut, and Antonelli just added his name to that list. If Russell wasn’t already looking over his shoulder, he definitely should be now.

And if this sounds familiar, it should—because this has all the makings of a Verstappen-Ricciardo situation at Mercedes. But more on that in the next issue…

Rookie Woes: A Tough Debut for the Class of 2025

The rookies had an uphill battle in chaotic conditions, and most of them didn’t make it to the finish

 • Isaac Hadjar’s heartbreaking retirement was gut-wrenching. Seeing him in that moment, crushed by the outcome, was tough to watch. The highlight of the day, however, was Anthony Hamilton comforting him—telling him to keep his head up.

 • Jack Doohan crashed, but given the circumstances, it wasn’t a defining moment for his season. The wet track made the white-painted lines like ice, and unfortunately, he found out the hard way.

 • Gabriel Bortoleto showed flashes of brilliance. A single spin cost him, but otherwise, his performance was solid.

Sauber, however, looked significantly stronger than expected. Either they’ve truly improved their car, or they just had the wrong driver lineup last year—because Hülkenberg and Bortoleto were both extremely competitive.

Alex Albon: A Career-Defining Drive?

The standout performer outside the top teams was Alex Albon.

Starting P6, finishing P4, and delivering a flawless performance in mixed conditions—he was simply outstanding. He stayed out of trouble, managed his race perfectly, and delivered crucial points for Williams and apparently it was Carlos’ call to make Albon pit for intermediate tyres in the final stretch of the race and Alex handled that strategy with finesse.

There’s no doubt that Carlos Sainz’s arrival has lit a fire under him. If this is the level of performance we can expect from Albon this season, Williams is in a strong position to fight at the front of the midfield.

FIA’s Safety Failure: A Crane on Track?

One of the most serious incidents of the race was Fernando Alonso’s crash, which required a crane to be deployed on track. Given the tragedies the sport has witnessed in similar situations—Jules Bianchi’s fatal accident in Japan 2014 and the near-miss with Pierre Gasly in 2022—this was an inexcusable decision by the FIA.

Under no circumstances should a crane ever be on track while cars are still running, even under a yellow flag. We have seen before how dangerous this can be. Formula 1 cars, even at reduced speed, are still moving at dangerously high velocities. The FIA had options: red flag the race or find a safer way to remove the car.

Driver safety is not negotiable. Today, the FIA failed in its primary duty to protect the drivers. Had anything gone wrong, we could have been discussing something far worse than just a strategy mistake or a lost podium. The governing body must address this immediately—because in this sport, history cannot be allowed to repeat itself.

Final Thoughts: A Brilliant Season Opener

The 2025 Australian Grand Prix was a race of strategy, skill, and survival. Rain may equalize the cars, but it doesn’t equalize the drivers. The best still rise to the top. If this was just the first race of the season, then buckle up—because we’re in for an incredible year.

Would love to hear your thoughts! Who impressed you the most? Who needs to improve? Drop a reply and let’s discuss!