The 2025 F1 season is formally underway following a chaotic race on the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
However which driver impressed essentially the most in Melbourne this weekend?
Lando Norris – 9.5
Lando Norris delivered perfection on the Australian Grand Prix to get his F1 title problem up and working. He was cool and calm over the radio as McLaren made the right technique choices to get Norris on the highest step of the rostrum at Albert Park.
Max Verstappen – 9
Max Verstappen extracted the utmost from his equipment throughout the Australian GP weekend. With Purple Bull a step behind McLaren in tempo phrases, second place was the most effective Verstappen might obtain this weekend. The one blemish was a slight off second at Flip 11 within the first stint.
George Russell – 8.5
George Russell delivered a quiet however skilled weekend in Melbourne. With Mercedes missing the outright pace of McLaren or Verstappen’s Purple Bull, Russell will likely be happy along with his race-day efficiency.
Kimi Antonelli – 8
Ground harm in qualifying put Kimi Antonelli on the again foot as he was eradicated in Q1. Antonelli made a variety of daring overtakes, preventing his manner via the sector. He was the one rookie driver to not discover the wall this weekend, securing fourth on his F1 debut.
Alex Albon – 9
It was a near-perfect weekend for Alex Albon, who completed fifth. He certified within the prime six earlier than placing in a spectacular race, the place he might hold one of many Ferraris behind.
Lance Stroll – 7.5
The proper tyre name made Lance Stroll’s race as he bagged eight factors for Aston Martin. They timed the swap to the intermediates completely. Nevertheless, to Stroll’s credit score, he made no errors in a tough Aston Martin.
Nico Hulkenberg – 7.5
Like Stroll, Nico Hulkenberg’s race got here alive following a well timed swap to the intermediates on the finish of Lap 45. He made no errors and was driving an ideal race up till that time.
Charles Leclerc – 7
Whereas Charles Leclerc was understandably irritated about Ferrari’s key technique calls in Australia, it wasn’t good from the Monegasque. Little question, he was the faster of the 2 Ferraris, however Leclerc struggled when the monitor was damp – one thing that’s turning into a recurring theme when on slick tyres. He was overtaken by Racing Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda at one level however fought again nicely, together with a formidable transfer on his new teammate.
Oscar Piastri – 6
Oscar Piastri’s tempo was excellent in Australia, however he solely got here away with two world championship factors. With the rain coming down, Norris and Piastri ran large within the ultimate sector. Whereas Norris might keep on the monitor, Piastri spun onto the grass and was beached for round 60 seconds. The Security Automotive gave him a lifeline as he overtook Lewis Hamilton on the ultimate lap.
Lewis Hamilton – 6.5
An underwhelming debut for Ferrari total. Hamilton by no means regarded fairly on Leclerc’s tempo all through follow and qualifying. He misplaced out at first, getting caught behind Albon for the primary half of the race. He did nicely to maintain it on the monitor within the damp circumstances, getting forward of Leclerc and Tsunoda, who spun. Nevertheless, he was weak in defence towards Leclerc and Piastri, which means he completed tenth.
Pierre Gasly – 7
Pierre Gasly ran as excessive as eighth following the ultimate Security Automotive. Nevertheless, an important error at Flip 1 dropped him behind the 2 Ferraris. Factors have been on the desk with a cleaner race.
Yuki Tsunoda – 8
Australia proved to be an enormous missed alternative for Tsunoda. Like Ferrari, Racing Bulls acquired it flawed with their technique. In the end, Tsunoda completed twelfth in Australia.
Esteban Ocon – 6.5
Haas have been the slowest group in Australia so it’s troublesome to gauge Esteban Ocon’s efficiency, primarily as a result of teammate Oliver Bearman had a torrid weekend.
Ollie Bearman – 5
A weekend to overlook for Bearman. He crashed closely in FP1 earlier than dropping management of his automobile once more in ultimate follow. He saved it collectively within the race to make the chequered flag to his credit score.
Liam Lawson – 2
Liam Lawson
There have been zero positives from Liam Lawson’s first weekend as a Purple Bull driver. Technical points put him on the again foot forward of qualifying. He was knocked out in Q1 and nicely off the tempo within the race earlier than retiring.
Gabriel Bortoleto – 4.5
Gabriel Bortoleto was one of many stars of qualifying, outpacing veteran teammate Hulkenberg. Like most of the different rookies, Bortoleto discovered the circumstances robust and crashed out.
Fernando Alonso – 4
It was a messy weekend total by Fernando Alonso’s excessive requirements. He was left to rue flooring harm in Q2 – costing him a spot within the prime 10 shootout. Alonso spun out of the race, clattering the limitations and inflicting a Security Automotive.
Carlos Sainz – 3.5
Carlos Sainz’s first weekend as a Williams driver was a disappointing one. He was nicely overwhelmed by Albon in qualifying.His race ended prematurely, crashing out beneath the Security Automotive. The Spaniard hinted that there was a difficulty with the upshifts.
Jack Doohan – 3.5
Jack Doohan’s dwelling debut ended with a crash on the opening lap. Doohan’s tempo was encouraging all through the weekend, nevertheless.
Isack Hadjar – 3.5
Isack Hadjar’s race ended earlier than it started, shunting his Racing Bulls automobile on the formation lap. He narrowly missed out on Q3.
