Reigning World Constructors’ Champions McLaren have made a superb start to the 2025 F1 season as Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri annexed the front row for Sunday’s Australian GP, and team principal Andrea Stella was very pleased post-qualifying.
Throughout practice it had looked close between the top 4 teams, with Williams also looking incredibly strong in the hands of Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz.
McLaren too strong for the opposition in Q3 at the F1 Australian GP
By Q3, however, it was a different story. Despite both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri messing up their first runs in the final segment, they put almost 0.4s into the field on the final runs, blowing Verstappen and the rest away. The Brit took pole by 0.084s.
As he always does, Andrea Stella thanked everyone at McLaren F1 for their hard work, admitting he did not expect them to be so good at Albert Park as the track characteristics did not necessarily suit their 2025 challenger.
“Perfect way to start the season, indeed. It’s almost surprising in a way that the car has enjoyed this kind of strength in a circuit which not necessarily we thought would be one of our favourites of the season.
“But I want to take this opportunity to thank the entire team at McLaren, men and women, that have worked so hard over the winter to improve a car that was already quite competitive, a World Champion car.
“We knew that we couldn’t be any complacent because Formula 1 is experiencing one of the most competitive situations ever, with so many cars that are in condition to fight for wins.
“So, a big thank you to the team factory side, a big thank you to the team that have been together and have been good at maximising this potential.
“But it’s only Saturday.”
Gap to Ferrari F1 not representative says McLaren boss Andrea Stella
In race trim during F1 Testing, McLaren looked very, very strong on long runs. Bahrain has been a weak track for them for many years now due to the characteristics of their previous cars. The signs were there they had a rapid car, and the MCL39 further confirmed it on Saturday at the F1 Australian GP.
Nonetheless, Andrea Stella was surprised at the gap between his drivers and the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, believing they have more in the tank.
“Well, in fairness, Bahrain as well doesn’t necessarily belong to the category of best circuit in terms of our understanding of our strengths. And also, Bahrain testing was very changeable with the wind, the temperature, the rain.
“So, I think this is the most factual assessment so far in terms of packing order. But I think some teams like… I don’t really take Ferrari’s performance today at face value. I think they are much closer than the gaps in Q3 would tell.
“So, I think with the qualifying today has shown that Red Bull are not far. Vestappen has put together strong laps. Russell, you know, I think we don’t have to under-evaluate that.
“The car is certainly competitive, but Oscar and Lando have done a very good job, with some stress in the first attempt in Q3, but a very good job of maximising what was available.”
