Mar 12, 2025, 12:28 PM ET
System 1 has arrived in Melbourne for the outlet race of the season at Albert Park.
Sunday’s grand prix is the primary time all 20 drivers from 10 groups will line up in combination at the grid for the 2025 season.
All eyes are on Lewis Hamilton, this weekend, as he is taking on his first race for F1’s maximum a success crew, Ferrari. Different drivers to look at are the six novices who’re a part of new motive force pairings at 8 groups, except for Aston Martin and McLaren.
No Australian motive force has gained a house grand prix, or been at the podium. McLaren got here out of preseason checking out in February taking a look just like the most powerful crew, so may Lando Norris’ teammate Oscar Piastri finish that statistic after 40 years?
Friday is predicted to be heat and settled with temperatures round 24°C, emerging to 31°C on Saturday, whilst there is a likelihood of rain on Sunday.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc has the lap report and one earlier victory on the Australian Grand Prix, can he win this 12 months? Kym Illman/Getty Pictures
Newest information
Lewis Hamilton has recreated the scene from ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’, watch the clip. Hamilton additionally insisted the force on him to accomplish at Ferrari is coming from himself and now not from in other places.
Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc stated he has no factor with Hamilton being the point of interest of the media’s consideration, and no motive force is greater than the crew.
Toto Wolff has stated Max Verstappen is now not on his radar, including he is coming into talks with George Russell over a freelance renewall: “I do not flirt outdoor if I am in a excellent dating.” In the meantime, Verstappen downplayed Purple Bull’s probabilities of successful in Melbourne, pronouncing the auto isn’t fast sufficient but.
McLaren imagine Norris and Piastri can co-exist with out issues because the crew is going into the brand new season as favourites, however Norris brushed aside that McLaren are noticed as favourites and stated he is shocked individuals are making “conclusions ahead of we’ve got even began the season.”
Aussie motive force and F1 rookie Jack Doohan stated he is mindful his seat is beneath danger by way of all 4 of Alpine’s reserve drivers, now not simply Franco Colapinto, as he heads into a house grand prix, beneath force to accomplish.
Piastri has dedicated his long-term long run to McLaren after signing a multiyear contract extension past 2026.
Pay attention to the season preview and newest episode of Unlapped.
Michael Schumacher has probably the most race wins at Albert Park with 4, whilst Carlos Sainz is the latest winner in 2024. Chris Putnam/Long run Publishing by means of Getty Pictures
Circuit stats and historical past
Adelaide held the Australian Grand Prix between 1985-1995 and it served because the season finale in November of every 12 months. Even supposing it was once a success, with 210,000 folks attending the overall race, it changed into too pricey to run and Melbourne took over as host the next 12 months.
The Albert Park boulevard circuit has frequently served because the season opening race with drivers and fanatics alike taking part in the carnival environment and buzz that arrives in Melbourne every autumn in March.
The circuit is among the quickest at the calendar and persistently supplies a spectactle becoming for the thrill of a brand new season.
First race: 1996
Laps: 58 laps of five.2km. Overall race distance: 306km.
Lap report: 1:19.813, Leclerc (2024)
Maximum wins: Michael Schumacher with 4 (2002-2002, 2004). Of the present grid Hamilton (2008, 2015), Leclerc (2022), Verstappen (2023), Carlos Sainz (2024) have all gained right here.
Maximum poles: Hamilton with 8 (2008, 2012, 2014-2019). Of the present grid Leclerc (2022) and Verstappen (2023) have additionally been on pole right here.
What makes it particular: A parkland circuit with a mixture of rapid corners and unforgiving partitions. The Australian hosts additionally give you the easiest celebration environment to start out the season.
What the drivers say about it: “The ambience in Melbourne is all the time unreal, and the monitor is amusing and rapid.” — Daniel Ricciardo
The place to look at from: Turns 9 and 10. It is the quickest segment of the circuit with little or no margin for error. The route exchange underlines the outstanding efficiency of an F1 automobile, and there’s a normal admission house at the outdoor of Flip 9 for simple viewing.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz took his 3rd occupation win in Australia. MARTIN KEEP/AFP by means of Getty Pictures
What took place ultimate 12 months?
Ultimate 12 months’s Australian Grand Prix noticed a surprising flip of occasions as Sainz gained for Ferrari two weeks on from an appendicitis.
Verstappen dramatically retired within the early moments of the race with a brake fireplace, and the race ended beneath digital protection automobile as Russell crashed at the ultimate lap.
Liam Lawson is Max Verstappen’s 5th teammate for the reason that Dutchman joined Purple Bull in 2016. How will he fare over the season? Mark Thompson/Getty Pictures
Who will win?
That you must make a compelling case for any motive force some of the most sensible 4 groups successful in Melbourne. However some are nonetheless much more likely than others, and in response to checking out, chatter all over preseason, and shape from 2024 Norris needs to be the favorite.
The Australian Grand Prix is one among Melbourne’s premier occasions of the 12 months. Kym Illman/Getty Pictures
Learn how to watch the GP
Watch on ESPN and ESPN+ (U.S. most effective) — view the agenda.
Are living broadcast protection within the U.Ok. is on Sky Sports activities F1 and BBC Radio 5 Are living.
For information, research and updates, apply the protection with ESPN’s F1 crew Nate Saunders and Laurence Edmondson at Albert Park and on social media.
Friday
Loose follow one: 01:30-02:30 GMT
Loose follow two: 05:00-06:00 GMT
Saturday
Loose follow 3: 01:30-02:30 GMT
Qualifying: 05:00-06:00 GMT
Sunday
Race begins: 04:00 GMT.
Standings | Calendar | Groups
– 2025 F1 circuits: Their historical past, stats and why they are particular
– Key information on drivers, groups, venues, extra
– Causes to root for every F1 motive force, questions for each and every crew
– Meet the novices: What to anticipate from F1’s Elegance of 2025
