Hamilton Vows to Top Ferrari After Norris Claims Season-Opening Win in Aussie GP Live

LIVE – Updated at 9:01 PM

Lando Norris endured a downpour and a last-minute surge Max Verstappen to kick off his season impressively with a win in a wild, unpredictable, and exciting event Australian Grand Prix .

With only 13 laps left to race, both Norris andصند Oscar Piastri The driver, who was chasing his teammate from the McLaren team positioned in second place, lost control and veered off the track into the gravel due to the slick conditions.

Norris managed to pit for intermediate tires and secure the win, whereas Piastri found himself off-track at the second-to-last turn, thwarting McLaren’s hopes of claiming first and second place. In the end, he finished in ninth position.

Norris secured the checkered flag merely 0.8 seconds ahead of world champion Max Verstappen, with George Russell finishing third for Mercedes. Lewis Hamilton concluded with a disappointing 10th place during his first race with Ferrari.

Stay updated with The Independent for coverage of the Australian Grand Prix.

F1 Australian Grand Prix - Latest Updates

• Lando Norris claims thrilling victory at the Australian Grand Prix; Verstappen finishes second; Russell takes third place
• Ferrari misses opportunity for Lewis Hamilton to secure victory.
• NEW: The penalty against Kimi Antonelli has been reversed.
• Tap HERE for the top-10 following a wild finish in Melbourne.
• SMASH! Carlos Sainz crashes during his first race with Williams.
• BAM! Isack Hadjar starts with a formation lap.
• Lewis Hamilton points out significant shifts needed from Ferrari to provide optimism ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix.

McLaren’s rules of engagement

20:30 , Jack Rathborn

In the previous season, Piastri and Norris were considered equals within their team, which sparked considerable discussion. The matter appeared particularly significant when Piastri’s race engineer directed him to maintain his position but later allowed competitive racing with the message: "We're free to race now; you know how things stand."

Before the race weekend, Piastri firmly stated regarding the "papaya rules" allegations: "We begin with a fresh start, and at the end of the day, the driver who performs better on the track will come out ahead. Yes, we have made our stance quite clear—we plan to compete against each other and aim to battle for victories. Everything is straightforward."

Lewis Hamilton prepared to 'tap into potential' even after Australian Grand Prix letdown

20:04 , Jack Rathborn

"The speed of our car might not have matched McLaren's from today, but I believe there's significantly more potential within the Ferrari. It seems we were unable to tap into that potential over the course of this weekend," stated the Ferrari racer.

As soon as I entered the vehicle on Friday, my self-assurance was lacking, especially when traveling at high speeds; I felt significantly less confident. However, on Saturday, my confidence began to return gradually, bit by bit.

Lando Norris on defeating competitors to clinch victory at the Australian Grand Prix

20:00 , Jack Rathborn

"I'm not sure why everyone keeps talking so much about the car, as if I don't understand. There are too many inquiries in the media focused solely on the car," Lando Norris stated following his win.

Similar to us, Oscar and I did quite well driving yesterday. It’s not like others weren't good too, but some definitely seemed much less precise than we were. This was evident.

But I believe we do have the superior vehicle, albeit with a narrow advantage. I won’t dispute that fact. However, it’s important to recognize that superiority isn’t solely defined by the car, which is evident.

But I believe today’s victory was well-deserved since we made excellent collective choices. In previous years, for instance last year, we would have run the same race but wouldn't have come out victorious because we weren't top-notch at making such decisions back then. Today, however, we excelled in this area.

I attribute much of our success to the team, as they put in significant effort during the off-season to ensure they would be prepared for a day like today.

Carlos Sainz identifies cause ofAustralian Grand Prix accident

19:30 , Jack Rathborn

"After reviewing the data from the event, I can definitely see what transpired – this knowledge has left me feeling somewhat more relaxed regarding the entire matter," Carlos Sainz stated following the Australian Grand Prix.

Clearly, I didn't apply any throttle when exiting during a Safety Car phase, and although I'm experienced with such scenarios, this was how it played out.

We haven't begun our season just yet. We'll have to wait until after one more race to really get things going.

“Meanwhile, not being in the car allowed Alex to move up to P4 [which was later revised to P5, ed.]. This was because I had the chance to work closely with the strategy team and choose the optimal lap for pitting him.”

It’s still a positive result, a favorable outcome for the squad, and we can now concentrate on launching my season in China.

'Tearful' Isack Hadjar labeled as 'embarrassing' following the Australian Grand Prix incident according to Red Bull advisor

19:00 , Jack Rathborn

"Just feeling ashamed and apologetic towards the team," remarked Helmut Marko, a senior advisor for Red Bull, following Isack Hadjar's spinout at the Australian Grand Prix.

Pushed too hard, skidded badly at the rear end, and after losing control of the car, attempting to regain it proved futile as I ended up merely an observer. Didn't anticipate having to go easy; wasn't ready for this.

I'm simply frustrated. These errors can occur, but damaging the car this early in the season is truly disheartening. I genuinely feel bad for the team.

I'm losing out on additional experiences, like my inaugural Grand Prix and the chance to tackle the rainy circuit.

I'd mention that I've experienced similar difficult times before; however, this particular instance is quite challenging.

But my journey to F1 was equally tough, and I'd mention that I possess a resilient jaw; however, this particular blow lands with considerable force.

Bearman: "I'm rather pleased with how I did."

18:30 , Olivia Hicks

The objective for today was to complete the laps and gather data. I'm fairly satisfied with how I performed; it seemed like everything came together nicely. We did experience some delays in certain areas, but since we're not competing for points, it's an opportunity to experiment, even though these attempts didn't pan out this time—now moving forward to China.

Jack Doohan: "It was a harsh lesson to learn, but I've come to understand what transpired."

18:00 , Olivia Hicks

It was a disappointing conclusion to what was otherwise a good weekend. This outcome resulted from several elements that we'll analyze collectively as a group to gain insights from and make sure this doesn’t recur.

It’s a challenging way to learn, but I’ve come to terms with what transpired and moved forward to concentrate on the future. The valuable lessons from this weekend overshadow the result of today. We performed well yesterday evening when we encountered an unexpected yellow flag. Throughout the entire weekend, our speed was impressive, which allows us to approach each upcoming racing event with assurance.

We have consecutive races, and Shanghai is up next week, so we'll reconvene as a unit and strive to return even more formidable there. All things considered, this weekend has been fantastic; the supporters were remarkable, the ambiance was electrifying, and having the chance to compete in front of local fans during my inaugural race of the season has been truly memorable.

Alonso: "It appeared out of thin air."

17:30 , Olivia Hicks

To be honest, the incident caught me off guard. I didn’t expect to lose the car. My line wasn’t any different from usual; I simply encountered a surprising amount of gravel.

“It was an extremely expensive incident, yet I’m not sure how to handle things differently.”

"An impeccable weekend from beginning to end," states Norris.

16:30 , Olivia Hicks

McLaren looks back at the intricate Australian Grand Prix

16:00 , Olivia Hicks

Andrea Stella of McLaren commented on Sunday’s outcome:

"Oscar and Lando were driving brilliantly, both, and effectively Oscar just paid a bigger price than Lando with going off-track and then not being able to come out of the grass.

"I believe Oscar performed admirably throughout today’s race, staying in contention for the win until the very end, and his driving was outstanding. When I say ‘driving,’ I mean more than just maneuvering the car around the circuit; it also involves assessing the conditions and making the right calls.”

Communication is key at Mercedes

15:30 , Olivia Hicks

George Russell about his impressive performance mentioned, "The strategists along with all the engineers had a clear understanding of what we required for every situation—whether it was becoming drier or wetter out there, knowing who would make the decisions and what they expected from my side."

“And as everyone knows, over the past 18 months, dealing with tough competitions hasn’t been our strong suit. That’s why I was really eager today to push through and get the win, and overall, we performed exceptionally well.”

Stroll comments on the P6 outcome: "It wasn’t my doing at all."

15:00 , Olivia Hicks

What distinguished Stroll was more strategic thinking rather than sheer speed.

They checked the weather report and noticed it was already raining on the opposite side of the track. They summoned me inside, hence I had no involvement in that.

I noticed everybody rotating and observed plenty of rain on my face shield, so it came down to remaining on the circuit and making sure I had the correct tires at the appropriate moment.

Predictions for the F1 2025 season: The world champion showdown between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, along with the major surprise elements.

14:30 , Olivia Hicks

Roll up, roll up – it’s pre-season predictions time!

The 2025 F1 The season has all the building blocks to become one of the most thrilling in the sport’s 75-year history, featuring an intensely competitive championship battle. Lewis Hamilton ’s move to Ferrari certain to attract even more eyeballs to the sport.

Lando Norris is the favorite, considering McLaren’s constructors’ triumph the previous year, along with a four-time world champion Max Verstappen His nearest rival, pursuing a fifth consecutive championship.

Explore further details on this season’s forecasts: F1 2025 season predictions

Albon responds with a shift from P4 to P5.

13:30 , Olivia Hicks

I think we nailed that race. The strategy was flawless, and the car was really fast.

The rush is fading, yet I'm incredibly joyful.

The 2025 Formula 1 driver rankings

13:00 , Olivia Hicks

It might still be premature to determine who will make it to the championship battle, but Norris tops the driver rankings following the rain-soaked Australian Grand Prix.

Verstappen and Piastri speak out against criticisms directed at track marshals during safety car situations.

12:30 , Olivia Hicks

Concerns were voiced regarding the safety vehicle procedures and the presence of track safety personnel during these periods; however, Lando Norris and Max Verstappen both stated they didn't see it as a problem.

“ I felt at ease,” Norris stated, whereas Verstappen frankly responded: “If you crash into that vehicle during the safety car period, you’re incredibly foolish.”

Before the weekend victory, McLaren was not anticipating such dominance.

12:00 , Olivia Hicks

Before the start of the Australian Grand Prix weekend, Piastri mentioned that McLaren does not foresee a period of domination similar to what Red Bull is experiencing.

Clearly, achieving that degree of success and competitiveness would be perfect—something every team and every driver aspires to. However, considering the current regulations and how last season unfolded, anticipating such outcomes would be quite unrealistic. This season is likely to remain equally competitive, perhaps even more so, particularly compared to the latter part of last year.

Hamilton finds his rhythm at Ferrari.

11:30 , Olivia Hicks

"I believed you mentioned that the rainfall would be minimal. Lost chance," Hamilton stated via radio to his race engineer throughout the competition.

The ex-Mercedes racer is adjusting to his new role at Ferrari and all that entails, such as different communication methods.

After the race, Hamilton stated, 'I was informed that it would be a brief rain shower, really fast, only affecting the final turn. However, more rainfall followed.'

Before Ferrari's first appearance in Australia, Hamilton reenacts a famous movie from the 1980s.

11:00 , Olivia Hicks

Prior to Lewis Hamilton getting onto the racetrack this weekend, he posted a remake of "Ferris Bueller’s Day Off," featuring his character racing away in a bright red 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder.

Watch it here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHI-xv4PEaO/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

FIA STATEMENT

09:10

Resolution: After reviewing the newly submitted footage along with supplementary clips from the helicopter that were initially unavailable to the Stewards, they have decided to overturn their prior ruling. Consequently, the sanction imposed on Car 12 as detailed in Document number 43 has been rescinded, requiring no further actions be taken.

Reason: Clearly, Car 12 didn’t enter the fast lane until well down the pit lane and only once the driver verified clearance with Car 27 by checking their rearview mirror.

BREAKING: Kimi Antonelli's penalty has been reversed!

08:58 , Kieran Jackson

The 18-year-old received a five-second penalty near the end of the race, causing him to drop to fifth place; however, that penalty has since been overturned!

Consequently, Antonelli ends up in fourth place during his first race with Mercedes!

Stunning result!

As a consequence, Alex Albon falls back to fifth place.

Nico Hulkenberg regarding his finish at seventh place during the race

08:30 , Olivia Hicks

That’s a completely affirmative outcome for the squad. It surely brings a grin to my face. We weren’t expecting that following our qualification efforts yesterday.

“In light of the tough circumstances we faced today, we avoided making any errors and made several smart strategic decisions. Keeping the car on course and gauging the conditions proved extremely challenging.”

Street circuits in such conditions are extremely demanding. You're always pushing your limits.

Verstappen's final lap duel:

08:05 , Olivia Hicks

It was enjoyable, those final laps, exerting myself. At least you can tell when you're battling for victory.

Verstappen’s final lap at the Australian track in 2024 ended abruptly and disappointingly due to a malfunction in his right rear brakes, forcing him to withdraw prematurely from the competition. However, this time around, the racer who excels particularly in rainy conditions secured the runner-up position instead.

How a 50 percent chance of a safety car became an absolute certainty

07:55 , Olivia Hicks

Before the grand prix, there was an equal likelihood—50-50—that a safety car would appear and lead the drivers around the circuit. However, after the rain started falling and subsequently stopped multiple times, those odds shifted unpredictably.

Following several spins and collisions with the barriers at Albert Park, safety car deployments turned into an anticipated occurrence. This led to frequent adjustments in tire selection and pit stop tactics, as pilots frequently consulted with their engineering teams to determine the optimal approach.

The wild card participants who ultimately emerged victorious

07:45 , Olivia Hicks

Amidst a competition filled with unexpected twists, several surprising participants emerged as finalists within the top 10.

The initial driver to make an impression was Williams' Alex Albon, securing a fourth-place finish. After the race, Albon mentioned that he had been "under-driving" due to the slippery track conditions. Following closely behind him was Mercedes' newcomer Antonelli.

A pleasant surprise was Stroll securing a spot within the top six competitors, whereas Hulkenberg, driving for Sauber, trailed closely behind the Aston Martin by merely one second.

Teams usually regarded as "underdog" squads managed to score more points than Leclerc, Piastri, Hamilton, and a driver from Red Bull.

PODIUM PICTURES

07:35

The radio highlight of the day goes to Leclerc.

07:35 , Olivia Hicks

Following a potential leak from a water bottle, the team radio addressed Charles Leclerc. In response to his race engineer saying "must be the water," he replied with "Let’s file that under wise words."

Starting from seventh, Leclerc concluded the already rainy race even muddier and dropped one spot to eighth, finishing behind Hulkenberg.

Mercedes team principal mentions McLaren was "in a class of their own,"

07:30 , Olivia Hicks

They stood alone in their category. As rivals, we must utilize every tool at our disposal to attempt catching up with them. Whenever they move forward, we follow, and it’s clear that keeping pace with them is unachievable.

They excel at managing tires; they have an extensive operating range and can drive as if there’s no limit.

Russell from Mercedes completed the podium finish, with Antonelli securing fifth place.

Toto Wolff about Antonelli: "Impressive to witness"

07:20 , Olivia Hicks

“He initiated Project 16, yet he embraced it positively. He brought them in sequentially, demonstrated speed efficiently when unobstructed, secured fourth place during the race, with a final position of fifth. Quite remarkable.”

It’s simpler to stop before finishing than to complete it, but staying calm like he did is truly remarkable, provided the path remains consistent.

Does Antonelli's P5 finish live up to expectations? His performance stood out among the competition.

07:15 , Olivia Hicks

Even though two drivers in their 40s are partaking in the 2025 Formula 1 lineup, the majority of competitors remain quite youthful this year. Out of the six debutant drivers striving for points, Kimi Antonelli—who garnered significant anticipation—was the sole newcomer to secure a spot within the top 10. He was just one of two rookies who managed to complete the race.

It was great, an incredibly action-packed race. I really desired to stand on the podium; however, I wasn't aware of the penalty at first. Still, I can't be disappointed with how things went. My team supported me throughout—whenever I messed up, which shook my confidence, they were there to calm me down. Their decisions turned out to be spot-on.

It was extremely challenging; I had no grip at all. The white lines made it particularly tricky. Losing traction, especially on the slippery sections, felt pretty frightening. However, I'm very pleased with the overall outcome.

I gained numerous insights, which made yesterday quite disappointing. However, today turned out great as we handled everything efficiently, resulting in an excellent experience. We prefer not to revisit those earlier times but had a truly positive experience overall.

Underwhelming start for Ferrari’s new driver: Hamilton finishes at P10

07:05 , Olivia Hicks

It was extremely challenging. The situation turned out much worse than anticipated; driving the car proved to be quite difficult throughout the day. I'm thankful I managed to keep it from hitting the wall, as that's where it frequently seemed inclined to go.

“There’s a lot to handle here: a new power unit for wet conditions, altered driving techniques, and adjustments on the steering wheel; I felt constrained. We also misjudged the incoming rainfall... It seems we overlooked something important.”

Throughout the race, miscommunication persisted for the British driver: "I was informed that it would be a brief rain shower, very fast, only affecting the final turn. However, more rainfall followed."

Albon on P4 outcome: "This promises to be an thrilling year."

06:59 , Olivia Hicks

We ran with settings P7 and P6 throughout the entire race. Our speed was solid, and even when we restarted, the vehicle performed exceptionally well.

It's thrilling; this upcoming year promises to be full of excitement, as things seem very closely contested out there. Both RB and Alpine appear to be almost level with us.

Lawson's "trial run" wrapped up a frustrating weekend for Red Bull.

06:50 , Olivia Hicks

Before the race began, Lawson stated that he saw it mainly as extra practice and a testing opportunity. The experienced but still relatively new driver couldn’t complete the competition after most of the race was spent at the rear end of the pack. Starting with a disadvantage from the pit lane due to a problematic qualification round and poor performance during practices, the racer hailing from New Zealand struggled throughout the event.

Piastri: "The fault lies solely with me."

06:41 , Olivia Hicks

Fairly let down right now; felt like I had an exceptionally solid performance on all laps except one," stated the Australian F1 racer after the race. "It’s disappointing not to see any results despite my efforts. There’s nobody to blame but myself. It was unlucky how things got tangled up for me out there. Clearly, only myself led to this situation, so naturally, I’m quite disheartened.

The significant upside is the remaining 56 laps of the race, where we maintained strong speed regardless of the conditions. That’s what I aim to carry forward from this weekend. I’m also proud of the entire team’s efforts over the course.

Obviously, there was far more being discussed than just P9, which makes the outcome disappointing.

The concluding standings for the 2025 Australian Grand Prix

06:32 , Olivia Hicks

1. Lando Norris

2. Max Verstappen

3. George Russell

4. Kimi Antonelli

5. Alex Albon

6. Lance Stroll

7. Nico Hulkenberg

8. Charles Leclerc

9. Oscar Piastri

10. Lewis Hamilton

11. Pierre Gasly

12. Yuki Tsunoda

13. Esteban Ocon

14. Oliver Bearman

Which drivers did not complete: Liam Lawson, Gabriel Bortoleto, Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz, Jack Doohan, and Isack Hadjar

After winning, Norris stated: "We have taken lessons from our errors."

06:19 , Olivia Hicks

It was a challenging race, particularly with Max following closely. I gave it everything I had; especially during the final two laps, it got quite tense. To be honest, though, starting the year this way was incredible despite our significant errors when we veered off course.

I navigated through the rough terrain and faced much of the wear and tear, dealing with challenging circumstances. Yet, these are the moments that bring joy, excitement, and an element of surprise.

We made many errors last year, so I suppose we took lessons from those missteps. As you understand, we missed out on opportunities at Silverstone and Canada due to races similar to this one. Hence, we have drawn insights from our blunders.

Verstappen: "Challenging yet enjoyable" race

06:15 , Olivia Hicks

The race was certainly challenging, but ultimately, it turned out to be enjoyable.

Lando experienced a brief setback when entering turn six, which cost him significant speed. That’s why I managed to get closer, plus I activated my DRS, allowing me to narrow the gap. However, passing is extremely challenging at this track, yet those final laps were enjoyable.

I’m simply delighted to secure the win. Accumulate valuable points. This can be considered a reasonable starting point for us; concentrate on staying out on the slick surfaces, as that appeared to be an instant choice.

We lacked some speed compared to the McLaren, but we're still looking at 18 points more than my score from last year, which I'm perfectly fine with.

Russell discusses the race aftermath in P3 after the competition.

06:12 , Olivia Hicks

It was an excellent race to finish in third place.

“Huge congratulations to Lando. In a race like that, being out front might be your biggest fear. You did an excellent job. Additionally, big kudos to Kimi for making it all the way up to P5; it’s truly quite remarkable for his debut.”

It wasn't our most impressive weekend overall, but finishing on the podium was fantastic. Super happy about that. We'll have to wait and see how things go next week. Honestly, this had some of the harshest conditions I’ve ever faced.

“It was good fun.”

The driver who won the 2025 Australian Grand Prix

06:07 , Olivia Hicks

Your top three: Norris, Verstappen, Russell

06:06 , Olivia Hicks

The top three spots on the podium go to Norris leading Verstappen and Russell.

The remainder of the lineup is as follows: Albon, Antonelli, Stroll, Hulkenberg, Leclerc, Piastri, Hamilton, Gasly, Tsunoda, Ocon, and Bearman.

Piastri circles wide to pass Hamilton before the flag

06:04 , Olivia Hicks

Piastri dropped down the rankings following a spin but made a daring maneuver to pass Hamilton's Ferrari and secure ninth position in his home grand prix.

Antonelli received a five-second penalty.

06:02 , Olivia Hicks

Antonelli receives a five-second penalty due to an unsafe release during pit stops, causing him to drop in the rankings.

A fight to the finish: Norris claims victory at the Australian Grand Prix (57/57)

06:01 , Olivia Hicks

Norris edges out Verstappen by 0.8 seconds to secure victory in his inaugural season race triumph.

Antonelli moves up to fourth as unsafe release probe continues (57/57)

05:59 , Olivia Hicks

Antonelli passes Albon to claim the fourth position.

Last laps (56/57)

05:58 , Olivia Hicks

Currently at the top five positions: Norris, Verstappen, Russell, Albon, and Antonelli.

Only 0.4 seconds separate Verstappen from Norris.

Antonelli narrows the margin to Albon (54/57).

05:56 , Olivia Hicks

On the intercs, everyone starts at an even footing with Mercedes' newcomer Antonelli lagging only 0.3 seconds behind Albon who drives for Williams.

Hamilton and Gasly go head-to-head, but the Ferrari ends up finishing in ninth place.

Watch Piastri's slide:

05:54 , Olivia Hicks

Back in action: Norris takes the lead (53/57)

05:54 , Olivia Hicks

Norris starts off powerfully once the safety car exits. Nevertheless, Verstappen maintains a lead of slightly more than one second. Right behind them are Russell and Albon, keeping close track.

Leclerc nearly collides with his new Ferrari teammate while passing Hamilton for ninth place. He is closing in on Gasly, who is only half a second ahead of him.

What you missed amid the turmoil: Twirls and sunlight (51/57)

05:51 , Olivia Hicks

Leclerc lost control briefly but managed to get back on course, whereas Norris experienced a drop which he overcame.

All of a sudden, the sun pierces through the clouds and dries up the track.

The safety car will conclude this lap.

With fewer than 10 laps remaining, only 14 drivers are still in the race out of the initial 57 cars (50/57).

05:49 , Olivia Hicks

Currently behind the safety car, we're poised for an exciting restart with only about a dozen drivers left in contention. Among them are just two newcomers: Bearman holding steady at 14th place and Antonelli performing remarkably well in fifth position.

Lawson and Bortoleto deploy yet another safety car (48/57).

05:44 , Olivia Hicks

Lawson has been eliminated, alongside Bortoleto, after spinning off the track in the rainy conditions.

With the safety car out, the leaderboard for the top 10 looks like this: Norris, Verstappen, Russell, Albon, Antonelli, Stroll, Hulkenberg, Gasly, Hamilton, and Leclerc.

Hamilton is leading the race until Norris takes over at (47/57).

05:41 , Olivia Hicks

During Ferrari's first appearance, Hamilton remains at the top and leads the race until McLaren takes the lead.

Mayhem erupts as the leaderboard becomes completely disarrayed (46/57)

05:40 , Olivia Hicks

The leading five are: Verstappen, Hamilton, Gasly, Tsunoda, and Leclerc with the congestion in the pit lane intensifying.

The local favorite has gone off course while Verstappen takes the lead (45/57).

05:38 , Olivia Hicks

As his teammate spins off the track into the damp grass, Norris holds position. He then cautiously rejoins the race.

Verstappen is in the lead with Hamilton following closely behind.

Dark clouds loom above as Bortoleto receives a penalty (44/57).

05:37 , Olivia Hicks

As only slightly more than 10 laps remain, the rain starts falling. Consequently, the pit lane is soon going to be packed with cars.

Bortoleto received a five-second penalty due to an unsafe pit release.

WATCH: Fernando Alonso crash

05:35

A leaderboard update: (43/57)

05:35 , Olivia Hicks

Norris, Piastri, Verstappen, Russell, Leclerc, Tsunoda, Albon, Hamilton, Gasly, Antonelli, Stroll, Hulkenberg, Bottas, Lawson, Ocon, and Bearman.

And... we’re back at the races (once more)! (41/57)

05:34 , Olivia Hicks

Verstappen, driving with medium tires in third place, begins pressuring the two McLarens who are on hard tires as soon as the safety car leaves and the racing resumes.

However, Red Bull is unable to surpass Piastri.

Shortly before the safety car period concluded, Bortoleto received attention for an unsafe pit release.

McLAREN fluctuates regarding their approach (40/57)

05:32 , Olivia Hicks

As conditions continue to shift, Norris oscillates between the pit lane and track regarding intensifying and prolonged rainfall. He debates whether this would be the right time to change tires or wait until later.

Haas opts for slick tires.

Weather forecast updated: Anticipate rain later (38/57)

05:25 , Olivia Hicks

The pit lane alerts the McLaren drivers that intermittent heavy rainfall might occur between laps 45 and 50. This unpredictable weather further complicates the already tumultuous race.

All drivers changed to slick tires under the safety car except for Ocon and Bearman, who stayed with inters.

Under the safety car, Norris is at the front (37/57).

05:21 , Olivia Hicks

The 16 racers remaining in the competition consist of: Norris, Piastri, Verstappen, Russell, Leclerc, Tsunoda, Albon, Hamilton, Gasly, Antonelli, Stroll, Hulkenberg, Bortoleto, Ocon, Bearman, and Lawson.

The safety car guides all drivers into the pit lane (35/57)

05:18 , Olivia Hicks

As the safety car leads them, almost all racers head into the pit lane to change their tires, including the Ferraris at the forefront. All switch from intermediates to hard compounds, with just four opting instead for medium ones.

Alonso marks the fourth retirement of this race (34 out of 57).

05:16 , Olivia Hicks

And ... the safety car is deployed once more! Another vehicle has crashed into the barrier yet again.

Piastri moves to the outside as Verstappen falls behind (34/57)

05:15 , Olivia Hicks

The driver from Australia has outpaced his teammate at the forefront for approximately half of the race until now, but he widens the lead, extending the distance between them.

The new team instructions have been released: "Feel free to race now. Remember the rules."

Verstappen is almost 15 seconds back.

McLaren gives their first set of team instructions for this season (31/57)

05:12 , Olivia Hicks

Piastri, narrowing the distance to Norris, is instructed to maintain his position.

"I am quicker, but I'm fine," Piastri replies.

Before the race, Zak Brown mentioned that a gap of three to four seconds would be needed for the two McLarens to line up side-by-side, but he also stated that both drivers could compete against each other.

Piastri keeps grabbing one fast lap after another (30/57)

05:10 , Olivia Hicks

Only 0.4 seconds separate the two McLaren cars as the local driver narrows the distance to the front-runner, Norris.

The top 10 standings are as follows: Norris, Piastri, Verstappen, Russell, Leclerc, Tsunoda, Albon, Hamilton, Gasly, and Alonso.

Hamilton clearly defines the limits (28/57)

05:08 , Olivia Hicks

"Let me handle this," Hamilton says via the radio as he establishes a communication approach with his new race engineer.

Hamilton remains in eighth.

Allowing the two McLarens to compete (27/57)

05:05 , Olivia Hicks

It takes just over a second for Piastri to close the gap between himself and his teammate Norris as he pushes harder in their McLarens.

Verstappen carefully manages his tyre wear, falling behind by 15 seconds from the race leader, as he tries to hold off Russell.

Hamilton struggles to overtake the Williams as Leclerc's seat fills with water (25/57)

05:04 , Olivia Hicks

On Lap 25, Leclerc's cockpit fills with water as his new teammate, Hamilton, struggles to close the gap on Albon's Williams.

Antonelli moves ahead of Stroll (23/57)

05:01 , Olivia Hicks

While the excitement at the forefront of the race is undeniable, we shouldn't overlook those positioned farther behind.

From 11 to 17: Antonelli, Stroll, Hülkenberg, Bottas, Lawson, Ocon, and Bearman.

Top 10 as they transition from lap 21 to 22

04:57 , Olivia Hicks

The list of the top 10 is as follows: Norris, Piastri, Verstappen, Russell, Leclerc, Tsunoda, Albon, Hamilton, Gasly, and Alonso.

The rain appears to be intensifying, even though the team personnel at the pit wall have stated that the conditions were supposed to improve.

A sequence with no additional steps (21/57)

04:56 , Olivia Hicks

Albon, Hamilton, Tsunoda, and Alonso are clear to continue racing following investigations into their actions during the safety car period.

Verstappen requests a pit stop, yet the weather appears to be improving.

04:55 , Olivia Hicks

Red Bull indicates that conditions on the track will get better, but Verstappen radios in requesting a forthcoming pit stop, showing conflicting messages.

Verstappen's teammate, Lawson, moves through the pack surpassing Ocon to secure 15th place.

The home hero moves forward

04:52 , Olivia Hicks

Verstappen makes a small mistake, veering slightly off course, allowing Piastri to take advantage and go ahead.

The ranking at number one through ten consists of: Norris, Piastri, Verstappen, Russell, Leclerc, Tsunoda, Albon, Hamilton, Gasly, and Alonso.

Antonelli advances past Hulkenberg and ends up spinning.

04:48 , Olivia Hicks

In lap 15, Antonelli overtakes Hulkenberg smoothly to claim 12th position. The newcomer began from the 16th spot.

During lap 17, he loses control and goes off-track, then manages to get back into the competition but ends up trailing behind Hulkenberg.

The track is drying out, but the chance of rain is growing.

04:47 , Olivia Hicks

The damp conditions are becoming increasingly challenging, which makes tire strategy all the more complicated.

Over the radio, Lando Norris is informed that the chance of rain is growing despite the track appearing to dry out.

DRS is suitable for racing conditions.

04:45 , Olivia Hicks

Piastri is within DRS range and is closing in on Verstappen, with only half a second separating their vehicles.

The current standings have not changed: Norris, Verstappen, Piastri, Russell, Leclerc, Tsunoda, Albon, Hamilton, Gasly, and Alonso continue to hold their positions.

Norris tries to extend his lead over Verstappen

04:43 , Olivia Hicks

It’s lap 11, and the McLaren racer is extending the lead over the Red Bull four-time world champion. At present, this advantage stands at 1.412 seconds.

Australian GP start

04:41 , Kieran Jackson

Alonso and Tsunoda face scrutiny

04:40 , Olivia Hicks

Alonso and Tsunoda are both being looked into for maintaining over 10 car lengths behind the vehicle ahead of them.

Top 10: Norris, Verstappen, Piastri

04:38 , Olivia Hicks

The leading ten positions after lap nine stand as follows: Norris, Verstappen, Piastri, Russell, Leclerc, Tsunoda, Albon, Hamilton, Gasly, and Alonso.

Norris remains ahead once the safety car pulls off

04:37 , Olivia Hicks

Lando Norris remains at the forefront with Max Verstappen trailing closely behind the McLaren, only a fraction under one second away.

Alonso is being investigated for an infraction related to the safety car.

Drivers stop during the safety car period

04:34 , Olivia Hicks

On lap five, Esteban Ocon and Liam Lawson head into the pits during a safety car period to switch to intermediate tires, despite predictions indicating no considerable rainfall within the upcoming half-hour.

Moreover: The cause of the spins isn’t solely due to the wet conditions; surprisingly, it’s also because of public park paint. Novice drivers are advised to steer clear of the whitened markings to prevent ending up against the barriers on the street track. "I nearly made the same mistake as Doohan," Kimi Antonelli relayed via radio.

The conditions are rapidly evolving on lap 4.

04:27 , Olivia Hicks

Charles Leclerc reports over the radio, 'The track is drying out fast,' hinting at an upcoming tire change.

The present soggy circumstances have resulted in three vehicles being damaged. The competition goes on with a pace car leading the way as the circuit is cleaned up of wreckage.

The present top-10 ranking stands as follows: Norris, Verstappen, Piastri, Russell, Leclerc, Tsunoda, Albon, Hamilton, Gasly, and Alonso.

WATCH: Carlos Sainz hits the barrier

04:26 , Kieran Jackson

Carlos Sainz joins Doohan and Hadjar with car against the wall

04:22 , Olivia Hicks

Sainz loses control and goes off the track, ending his race due to a damaged rear wing.

"I'm experiencing a significant torque surge," Sainz reported via the radio. This happened during our second lap under caution conditions.

Lando Norris maintains his position at the front amidst a hectic first lap.

04:21 , Olivia Hicks

Predictably tumultuous conditions during the initial circuit see Lando Norris maintain his position at the front amidst the turmoil caused by the damp track. Unfortunately, local favorites Oscar Piastri and Jack Doohan do not fare well. Max Verstappen accelerates past others to take second place shortly before a safety car is deployed due to damage sustained from Jack Doohan’s wrecked vehicle.

And we're racing!

04:18 , Olivia Hicks

The lights go off, sending 19 vehicles onto the circuit in Melbourne for an intense 57-lap race through treacherous wet and windy conditions.

Touching scene as Lewis Hamilton’s father comforts F1 newcomer following initial race accident

04:17 , Olivia Hicks

Lewis Hamilton ’s dad Anthony consoled Isack Hadjar In a touching scene in the pit lane following the newcomer’s crash that marked a terrible beginning for him, F1 career.

Torrential rain in Melbourne On Sunday, the track was extremely damp for the racers when the driver who secured pole position arrived. Lando Norris guided the cars around for the warm-up lap.

Still, French racer Hadjar, at just 20 years old and beginning from the 11th position on the grid for Racing Bulls, abruptly lost control at turn 1, causing his vehicle to crash into the wall.

Because of damage to his rear wing, Hadjar couldn't restart his car. This mishap came right after he stalled at the starting line during the F2 championship race in Abu Dhabi back in December.

Read more:

Touching scene as Lewis Hamilton’s father comforts F1 newcomer following initial race collision

We're back! The formation lap continues.

04:16 , Olivia Hicks

The second attempt proves lucky as the formation lap restarts sans rookie Isack Hadjar. With misty conditions setting in, numerous spectators at Albert Park start putting on their rainwear.

Isack Hadjar has already begun his formation lap; the race start has been rescheduled for 15:15 local time.

04:04 , Olivia Hicks

Before the lights go dark, Hadjar from RB veers off course during the warm-up lap, marking an abrupt beginning to his Formula 1 career. As anticipated, pandemonium ensues during the formation lap leading to a restart of the race.

The formation lap starts with drivers complaining about difficult conditions.

04:00 , Olivia Hicks

The drivers head out for the formation lap as they prepare for the Australian Grand Prix. Get ready for a tumultuous beginning to the 2025 Formula 1 season.

Alex Albon described the conditions as "oily" and "extremely slippery" before getting into the vehicle. Teams such as Red Bull have already adjusted their tire strategies while on the grid, choosing intermediate tires instead.

Liam Lawson starts from the pit lane.

03:59 , Olivia Hicks

Rookie Liam Lawson from Red Bull will begin the race from the pit lane, and the team has chosen to use a setup suitable for wet conditions for the driver who was born in New Zealand.

What is the initial lineup for the race?

03:50 , Kieran Jackson

1. Lando Norris

2. Oscar Piastri

3. Max Verstappen

4. George Russell

5. Yuki Tsunoda

6. Alex Albon

7. Charles Leclerc

8. Lewis Hamilton

9. Pierre Gasly

10. Carlos Sainz

11. Isack Hadjar

12. Fernando Alonso

13. Lance Stroll

14. Jack Doohan

15. Gabriel Bortoleto

16. Kimi Antonelli

17. Nico Hulkenberg

18. Liam Lawson

19. Esteban Ocon

20. Ollie Bearman

Get acquainted with the local legends: Oscar Piastri and Jack Doohan as they tackle racing Down Under.

03:45 , Olivia Hicks

Before the start of the race weekend, Australian drivers Piastri and Doohan commented on competing in their home nation.

Doohan said, “The main aim is to have fun. To savor every moment out on the track since my primary reason for being here is enjoying what I do. Additionally, putting in diligent effort alongside the team, making sure we maximize all the insights gained during the preseason tests in Bahrain, and applying those lessons effectively this week, culminating in strong performances based on our vehicle’s capabilities.”

Piastri said, "This feels like the most laid-back I've ever been for my home grand prix. In the initial couple of years, particularly during my debut visit, everything felt quite overpowering. Last year wasn’t too different; it remained fairly intense. But this time around, I'm finding myself much more at ease. Perhaps it's due to increased confidence with the vehicle beneath me, yet I must say, I am genuinely savoring every moment and appreciating the backing from locals even more than before. There seems to be greater enthusiasm compared to previous years. Winning definitely helps boost such sentiments. Having everyone's encouragement back home truly means a lot to me."

The 2025 Australian Grand Prix sets new attendance marks

03:37 , Olivia Hicks

For the 2025 Australian Grand Prix on race day, the official attendance figure stands at 131,547 people. Nevertheless, the overall anticipated number of spectators over the entire weekend carries more significance: an estimated 465,498 fans gathering to witness the beginning of what is being hailed as one of the most competitive Formula 1 seasons ever.

The projected turnout is the largest ever documented in Melbourne, surpassing last year's previous high mark by 13,443 attendees.

In less than half an hour, the lights will be turned off.

03:32 , Olivia Hicks

As fewer than 30 minutes remain before the engines start, the vehicles are positioning themselves on a wet starting grid following their assessment of the circuit.

Vehicles race on a water-drenched circuit at Albert Park.

03:23 , Olivia Hicks

The Mercedes cars lead onto the track with all 20 racers keen to assess the circuit's challenges under today’s windy and rainy conditions.

In the game of Driver Musical Chairs, who finds themselves with a new job location this round?

03:22 , Olivia Hicks

Just two teams—McLaren and Aston Martin—are retaining their current driver lineups for 2025. Many well-known drivers in Formula 1 have changed teams this season.

• Hulkenberg from Haas aims to Outperform Sauber
• Ocon moving from Alpine to Haas
• Sainz moving from Ferrari to Williams
• Hamilton moved from Mercedes to Ferrari.

Oliver Bearman is set to begin from the pit lane.

03:13 , Olivia Hicks

Oliver Bearman, the Haas newcomer from Britain, has faced a challenging start to the weekend. Despite impressing as a substitute racer for both Ferrari and Haas during the previous season, he experienced significant difficulties this time around. In Friday’s first practice session, he crashed severely; subsequently, he did not participate in the second practice session at all. When he finally got back into action during third practice, his session was cut short after just two laps due to an additional spin-out incident.

When qualifying rolled around, things didn't improve as he couldn't complete even one lap due to a gearbox problem.

Due to alterations in the vehicle's suspension, he will begin the Grand Prix from the pit lane.

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