Australian Grand Prix 2025 Race Analysis

Lando Norris wins the Australian Grand Prix, the first race of the 2025 season! Along with him, we’ve got Max Verstappen in P2, and George Russell in P3. 

This race was completely unpredictable and truly got it down to the skills of the drivers. There was drama from start to finish, and every part of it was worth watching. 

To begin with, we had four race restarts. The aborted start due to Isack Hadjar going off in turn two during the formation lap set the tone for a messy race. The rookie was completely heartbroken, and even appeared to be crying. Jack Doohan crashed in lap one, and the subsequent safety car immediately shuffled the pack. Thus began the element of unpredictability. Carlos Sainz also retired early during the race due to a torque issue, which further thinned the field. This highlighted the challenging conditions, and the potential reliability issues. 

Esteban Ocon and Liam Lawson switched to new inters early on in the race at just lap five. The green flag on lap seven unleashed a flurry of fasted laps. It started with Oliver Bearman, and then continued to switch between Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, and Oscar Piastri. This showcased the drivers’ abilities to adapt to the changing conditions.

Fernando Alonso, Yuki Tsunoda, Lewis Hamilton, Alex Albon, and a few other drivers had safety car infringements investigated by race control, but no penalties were given. 

Lewis Hamilton was also clearly struggling with drivability. Potential setup or mechanical issues could have been hindering his pace. 

Kimi Antonelli overtaking Nico Hulkenberg was certainly interesting to watch. While it was a battle between a Mercedes and a Kick Sauber, it was also a battle between a rookie and an experienced driver. 

Verstappen went off in lap seventeen, and Piastri took the opportunity to move up to P2. 

Charles Leclerc’s seat filling with water, and Hamilton losing gear sync added to the comedy of errors that Ferrari could do in one race.

McLaren issued their first team orders. However, they were based on strategic decisions and not emotional manipulation. Piastri was showing a strong pace for about a dozen laps, maybe more. He was closing in on his teammate, Norris. McLaren was essentially, in a favourable 1-2 position. However, they were approaching back markers, which could create unpredictable racing conditions. The team wanted to avoid a situation where their drivers would get caught up in a battle with lapped cars, compromising their race. They aimed to maintain a controlled gap to ensure a 1-2 and to protect their tyres from the unpredictable weather conditions. They wanted to make sure that they had clarity regarding the weather, before allowing the drivers to race each other. McLaren instructed Piastri to hold position behind Norris, but he responded with “I’m faster but OK” which expressed his desire to race. About two to four laps later, the team gave the drivers the go ahead to race.

Alonso crashed in lap thirty four that resulted in a safety car and further disrupted the race.

McLaren double stacked their drivers during the safety car period, which was risky, but it showed their intent. 

Gabriel Bortoleto received a five second penalty, but had to eventually face a DNF. 

Piastri’s tyre wear and ability to overtake Norris became a key point of interest. However, both drivers went off track, where Verstappen took the P1 position. Norris dropped to P7 after he went into the pits as soon as he slid, and Piastri to P13, which was a disaster for McLaren. 

For a brief moment, the top three were Verstappen, Hamilton, and Pierre Gasly. And, then, it changed to Hamilton, Leclerc, and Norris. But, Norris’ determination to make it back to P1 was awe inspiring. Lawson and Bortoleto DNF’ed, and Leclerc spun, which Albon saved himself from crashing beautifully. Hamilton spent most of the race frustrated with the car and his race engineer. Antonelli’s five second penalty for an unsafe release from the pits, and Mercedes’ right to review, which ended in their favour played a huge role in his final position. 

Andrea Stella also later revealed that Norris had floor damage towards the end of the race. The floor is a critical component for generating downforce, which is essential for cornering speed and overall grip. When Norris’ floor was damaged, it affected his tyre wear, he began sliding more, had a significant loss of downforce and the car was more difficult to control. Despite the floor damage, Norris was able to defend his position of P1 against Verstappen who was right on his tail. This truly showed the improvement that Norris had since 2024. 

Ferrari, of course, messed up their strategies once again. They used a significant number of their tyres during the practice and qualifying sessions. This left with them with almost no new set of tyres. This meant that the Ferrari drivers had to manage their tyre wear more aggressively, which compromised their race pace. The lack of fresh tyres contributed to their overall struggles in the race, as it made them significantly slower than the rest of the cars. 

Since Sainz was out of the race due to a mechanical issue, he remained engaged and actively involved in the team’s strategy. He was reportedly providing input and advice to the Williams team regarding Albon’s race strategy. While it is unusual for a driver to be helping strategies like this from the pit wall, Sainz is known for his strategic actions, and it proved the understanding and level of detail that he possessed of the sport. 

Piastri’s off-track excursion late in the race was a pivotal moment. He went off track, and ended at P13 from P2. He was stuck on the grass, and for the longest time, he struggled to make it back on the track. So much so, that the officials assumed that he was out of the race. Nonetheless, Piastri, against all odds, reversed his car out of the grass patch, and made it back on track, where he continued to race. This showed the resilience of the driver, and while he ended at P9, it was still inspiring to watch. 

It can also be said that Piastri coming back on track helped Norris' race as well. Norris, with significant damage to his floor could barely hold off Verstappen, and if his teammate had not ventured back on track, there would have been an SC. The SC would have given Verstappen the opportunity to pass Norris, and clinch the victory.

The 2025 Australian Grand Prix delivered a spectacle of unpredictable racing, showcasing the drivers' resilience and adaptability in the face of constant challenges. From the chaotic start to the dramatic late-race battles, this race had it all. Lando Norris's victory, despite floor damage, was a testament to his skill and the improvements he's made. Max Verstappen's consistent performance secured him a valuable second place, while George Russell's podium finish highlighted Mercedes' ability to capitalize on the chaos. The race also exposed Ferrari's strategic missteps, McLaren's tactical acumen, and the sheer determination of drivers like Oscar Piastri. With multiple restarts, safety cars, and unexpected incidents, this season opener has set the stage for an exhilarating 2025 Formula 1 championship.