Australian Grand Prix 2025: Anticipations and Key Figures to Watch
The excitement surrounding a new Formula 1 season is unmatched, especially as it kicks off in Melbourne with the esteemed Australian Grand Prix, a fixture in the F1 calendar since 1928.
The 2025 Australian Grand Prix, showcasing new cars with innovative technologies and emerging talents with great potential, is set to be an event not to be missed. Keep reading for a detailed preview of the season opener in March.
What can you expect from the Australian GP Season Opener?
After several seasons starting in Bahrain, Albert Park is back as the season opener for the first time since 2019.
The 2025 version of the Melbourne Grand Prix holds great promise. Notably, this race marks the debut of the legendary Lewis Hamilton in red overalls, competing for Ferrari in what may be one of his final seasons in Formula 1. Additionally, six newcomers are set to make their debut, including Liam Lawson stepping in for Sergio Perez at Red Bull, Jack Doohan racing for Alpine, and 18-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli for Mercedes.
As Red Bull's dominance wanes and McLaren's resurgence emerges in 2024, the competition is more unpredictable than ever, ensuring a thrilling race and an exciting start to the season.
Will Australia see a home victory?
The critical question is whether an Australian driver can claim victory. Remarkably, since the Australian Grand Prix became part of the World Championship in 1985, no Australian driver has ever reached the podium.
As the race approaches Melbourne this year, two local champions will aim to change that record.
Oscar Piastri stands out as the most promising contender. The Melbourne native, born near Albert Park, had an impressive 2024, finishing fourth in the Drivers’ Championship standings with eight podium finishes, including two wins in Azerbaijan and Hungary. His contributions were vital in helping McLaren secure the Constructors’ Championship and made the 2024 F1 season particularly captivating.
Meanwhile, rookie Jack Doohan will be racing for Alpine. The son of five-time Grand Prix motorcycle World Champion Mick Doohan, Jack grew up in Gold Coast, Queensland. Although it’s a tall order, the scenes would be spectacular if he were to reach the podium in Australia during his first F1 Grand Prix.
Lando Norris and Max Verstappen lead the betting markets for the Australian GP.
According to the odds from leading betting apps, Lando Norris and Max Verstappen are the favorites to win the Australian Grand Prix, both topping the betting market for winners.
However, those looking for value will find appealing odds on the rest of the drivers. Here’s a list of the top-8 drivers in the Australian GP winners odds market:
● Lando Norris @ +285
● Max Verstappen @ +285
● Charles Leclerc @ +300
● Lewis Hamilton @ +350
● Oscar Piastri @ +850
● George Russell @ +1400
● Liam Lawson @ +2000
● Kimi Antonelli @ +3500
Watch out for Verstappen’s new teammate, Liam Lawson.
Though not completely new to the F1 grid with 11 races under his belt in the past two seasons, Liam Lawson will be making his full-season debut in 2025. He’ll attract more attention than most rookies as he teams up with Max Verstappen.
Red Bull chose to release fan-favorite Sergio Pérez at the end of the previous season, promoting Lawson over other prominent drivers like Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo, which suggests he will face intense scrutiny from the very start. Nonetheless, the New Zealander has shown he can overcome difficulties with some impressive past performances.
What can we expect from the Albert Park GP circuit?
The Australian Grand Prix has taken place at various venues since its beginning, including its current site, Albert Park in Melbourne, and the Phillip Island (Victoria) and Adelaide Street Circuit.
The Australian Grand Prix will remain in Melbourne until at least 2035, having successfully resisted a significant proposal from Sydney.
The F1 track in Albert Park is fast, enjoyable, and beautiful. It spans just over 5 kilometers and features 14 turns, down from 16 prior to the 2021 edition. For most of the year, Albert Park serves as a thoroughfare surrounded by scenic parkland; constructing the track requires six weeks and 290,000 man-hours.
When will the 2025 Australian GP take place?
Fortunately, the wait for the 2025 Australian Grand Prix, the first event of the season at Albert Park, is almost over, set to take place on Sunday, March 16.
Here’s the detailed schedule for the weekend:
● Friday, March 14: Practice Sessions 1 and 2
● Saturday, March 15: Third Practice Session and Qualifying
● Sunday, March 16: Official Race
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