Lando Norris is starting the F1 2025 Australian GP in pole position. He’s followed by his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri. Behind them is Max Verstappen and George Russell. The third row is a surprising lineup, with Yuki Tsunoda in his VCARB and Alex Albon in his Williams. Both Ferraris are lined up behind them. Haas’s Oliver Bearman and Red Bull’s Liam Lawson will start from the pitlane.
Early retirements
The track is soaking wet with standing water. On the formation lap, VCARB rookie Isack Hadjar goes into the wall. The start is aborted, and Hadjar retires before his debut race. The second formation lap starts 10 minutes later, and the race changes from 58 laps to 57. The track is still very wet.
Off the start, Norris gets away but Piastri is passed by Verstappen. Charles Leclerc finds his way past Tsunoda and Albon. Further back on the grid, rookie Jack Doohan goes off into the barrier at turn 5. The safety car is deployed. Under the safety car, Carlos Sainz’s Williams finds the wall. Both Doohan and Sainz retire. Three drivers have retired before Lap 2.
Safety Car restart
The safety car is called back in, and the race resumes on Lap 8. Fernando Alonso is noted and under investigation for an incident of safety car infringement. Tsunoda is also noted and under investigation.
Race directors decide to enable DRS. George Russell in 4th place is over 6 seconds from Piastri in 3rd, while Norris, Verstappen, and Piastri are trading fastest laps up front.
Kimi Antonelli spins off the road at turn 4, but keeps control of the car and rejoins the race, losing only 1 position at P13.
Verstappen makes a mistake and opens a gap for Piastri, who takes it and moves up to P2. The McLarens lead the race on Lap 18, with Verstappen behind and P4 Russell 9 seconds back. Lewis Hamilton and Alex Albon are noted and under investigation for incidents under the earlier safety car. Both drivers, along with Alonso and Tsunoda, will face no further action for the incidents.
The rain returns lightly on Lap 21. Piastri clocks several fastest laps to gain on teammate Norris. Kimi Antonelli is up 5 positions to P11, matching Russell in the other Mercedes’ pace. Max Verstappen is 10 seconds back from race leader Norris.
McLaren battles for the lead
On Lap 27, Norris and Piastri are over 14 seconds ahead of Verstappen. There is less than 2 seconds between the teammates, with Piastri still going fastest. Piastri is ordered by the team to hold position on Lap 31. Piastri backs off and the gap is now 2 seconds. The pitwall informs him a lap later that he is free to race.
Fernando Alonso crashes into the wall at turn 6 and a safety car is deployed. Alonso retires. Norris and Piastri both box under the safety car for hard tyres. Verstappen behind them puts on mediums. Gabriel Bortoleto is noted and under investigation for unsafe release in the pit lane, and given a 5 second penalty.
The rain causes chaos
The race restarts on Lap 42. Verstappen, 15 seconds behind before the safety car, is back in the fight for the win. Teams prepare for intense rain, which starts on Lap 44.
Both McLarens have massive spins off the track. Piastri is stuck off the road entirely, Norris dives into the pit lane. Verstappen takes the lead. Piastri manages to keep the car going and rejoins the race, having lost over a minute of time.
The order is now Verstappen, Hamilton, Pierre Gasly, Yuki Tsunoda, Charles Leclerc. Norris is in P6, Piastri down to P15. Verstappen peels into the pit lane. Hamilton stays out and leads the race, with Leclerc and Norris now behind.
Liam Lawson goes into the wall on Lap 47 and another safety car is deployed. Bortoleto also spins, they both retire. The order under the safety car is now Norris, Verstappen, Russell, Albon, Antonelli.
The safety car ends on Lap 52 of 57. DRS is enabled once again, and Verstappen chases Norris for P1. Kimi Antonelli powers himself into P4, but is noted and under investigation for an incident of unsafe release. He is given a 5 second penalty.
Norris finds victory
With Verstappen chasing him all the way to the chequered flag, Norris wins the F1 Australian GP. Russell completes the podium. Albon, Antonelli, Stroll, Hulkenberg, Leclerc, Piastri, and Hamilton round out the points-earners.
