The key figures of the Australian Grand Prix
Norris triumphs in a chaotic rain-soaked race, as the Spanish drivers suffer heavy losses
The first Grand Prix of the season delivered a thrilling race where the standout elements were the rain and the constantly changing weather conditions, making the debut for many drivers far more challenging than anticipated. Here are the insights from Albert Park:
Winners
Undoubtedly, the biggest winner of the Australian GP was Lando Norris. Not only did he claim a brilliant victory by expertly managing a chaotic race marked by ever-changing weather conditions, but he also withstood immense pressure from Max Verstappen, particularly in the closing laps. His composure and maturity have firmly positioned him as a genuine title contender.
McLaren also deserves a place on this list of winners. Despite Oscar Piastri finishing only ninth after making a costly error, the Woking-based team has proven that they have a highly competitive car with strong one-lap and race pace. Their performance suggests they could replicate last season's success.
Other notable winners include George Russell, who secured third place on the podium, and Kimi Antonelli, who impressed with an outstanding fourth-place finish. A special mention goes to Alexander Albon, who delivered an excellent performance to claim fifth place for Williams.
Losers
Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso endured a disastrous start to the season, leaving Australia empty-handed after crashing out and losing the opportunity to secure valuable points in a chaotic race that rewarded consistency and resilience. Sainz’s debut with Williams lasted just one lap before he lost control of his car behind the safety car due to a gearbox issue. Meanwhile, Alonso crashed into the barriers on lap 34 after running over wet gravel while attempting to overtake Pierre Gasly. It was a painful double retirement for the Spanish drivers, who will now have to wait until next weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix for redemption.
Oscar Piastri also finds himself among the losers. Despite showing strong early race pace and even looking like a potential contender for victory, a costly late-race mistake relegated him to ninth place.
Driver of the day
The honour of ‘Driver of the Day’ goes to Lando Norris, who claimed 20.7% of the fan vote. The Briton remained calm under pressure, even in difficult conditions, to secure his first win of the season. His teammate, Oscar Piastri, finished just behind him in the voting, receiving 17.2% despite his late-race spin and ninth-place finish.
The surprise package
The standout surprise of the weekend was Kimi Antonelli. The young Italian, just 18 years old, finished fourth, battling among the sport’s biggest names in highly challenging conditions. His impressive maturity, race craft, and outright speed allowed him to outperform more experienced drivers and teams with stronger machinery. Antonelli showed great character in recovering from earlier mistakes to secure a valuable result for his team. Notably, he was the only rookie to survive the chaotic race, alongside Oliver Bearman, who finished in last place.
The disappointment
Lewis Hamilton’s relationship with his new team, Ferrari, faced an early test in Australia, where he finished a disappointing tenth. The seven-time world champion himself admitted to being underwhelmed, describing his debut with the Italian outfit as ‘worse than I expected.’
On lap 46, Hamilton briefly led the race thanks to a bold strategy of staying out on old tyres, but changing weather conditions worked against him. Ferrari’s delayed decision to call him into the pits cost him several positions, leaving him visibly frustrated. His radio exchanges with the team highlighted his disappointment and his struggle to adapt to his new SF-25 car.
The 2025 season has only just begun, and next weekend will bring new winners, new losers, more surprises, and fresh disappointments.