F1 2025 Australia GP LIVE: Race start time, stream and updates on Lewis Hamilton Ferrari debut

Australian drivers Piastri and Doohan spoke forward of the race weekend on performing of their house nation:

Doohan: “[My goal is] to get pleasure from. Take pleasure in every time I am on observe, as a result of primary, that’s why I am right here, as a result of I get pleasure from what I do. And to work arduous with the staff, make sure that we extracted every part we may from Bahrain pre-season testing and put that into play for this weekend after which ship on observe, regardless of the automotive’s potential.”

Piastri: “I feel that is probably the most relaxed I have been at my house race. The primary two years, particularly the primary yr I got here right here, it was an amazing expertise. Even final yr, it was nonetheless a fairly large expertise. This yr, I’ve been in a position to get pleasure from it extra. Perhaps as a result of I’m extra assured within the automotive beneath me, however I’ve actually been having fun with it and having fun with the assist. I really feel prefer it’s gone up a bit since final yr as effectively. It’s wonderful what occurs while you begin successful stuff. No, it is nice to have all the house assist, and I actually respect it.”

The official headcount for the 2025 Australian Grand Prix race day is 131,547. Nevertheless, it’s the complete estimated weekend crowd rely that basically issues: 465,498 followers watching the beginning of what has been deemed the closest Components 1 season in historical past.

The estimated attendance is the best on file in Melbourne, and is greater than the final yr’s complete — then-record — by 13,443.

With just below half-hour till engines flip over, the vehicles are lining up on a humid grid after getting a really feel for the observe.

The Mercedes are first out on the observe and all 20 drivers are keen to check the situations and limits of the circuit on this windy and moist climate.

Solely two groups carry over their current driver lineup into 2025 — McLaren and Aston Martin. A number of of Components 1’s acquainted faces switched groups:

• Hulkenberg from Haas to Kick Sauber
• Ocon from Alpine to Haas
• Sainz from Ferrari to Williams
• Hamilton from Mercedes to Ferrari

Haas rookie Oliver Bearman has had a tough weekend to this point. The British driver, who surprised together with his stand-in performances for each Ferrari and Haas final season, crashed closely in FP1, missed out on FP2 after which solely made it two laps earlier than ending his FP3 run with a spin.

Qualifying didn’t deal with him significantly better when he didn’t get a single lap in all because of a gearbox problem.

He’ll begin the grand prix from the pit lane due to the automotive’s suspension being modified.

A fast dart to and from the paddock tells me the rain is getting heavier on the circuit.

There’s positively a way that this favours Max Verstappen, following his standout efficiency within the rain in Brazil final yr. In distinction, Lando Norris had a torrid race from pole in Interlagos – can he put that proper this afternoon?

As of now, we’re continuing as regular with the 3pm native begin time.

The 2025 Components 1 season ushers in additional than simply new faces: it additionally brings a collection of rule adjustments.

1. No quickest lap level: Say goodbye to the one level for the speediest driver. Whereas one level could not imply a lot to the likes of Max Verstappen, some drivers decrease down the grid will go all season with out scoring a single level. The quickest lap level was many athlete’s solely likelihood.

2. Driver cooling methods: When temperatures rise, the FIA has an answer. Now, drivers shall be required to put on cooling methods when a warmth hazard is said.

3. Rookies and junior drivers get pleasure from double the testing time in FP1

4. Sanctions on testing older vehicles: Drivers at the moment are solely allowed 4 days in vehicles with a restrict of 1000 km of testing floor lined.

5. The FIA to clamp down on “mini-DRS” wing designs

Albert Park tends to deliver on the chaos, however gusty and moist situations imply Sunday’s Components 1 race almost ensures visitors and turbulence. So, how can we anticipate groups to react to the unpredictable climate? If the rain holds off or the observe dries in time for lights out, followers can anticipate to see a typical one-stop race.

Issues get a bit extra thrilling when the showers begin, although. Whether it is misty, it gained’t be straightforward to foretell what groups will resolve. The opportunity of the primary moist race in Australia since 2010, paired with Pirelli’s new moist tyres, means it’s anybody’s guess as to how the order will fall.

Regardless of a 70 % likelihood of rain, Lando Norris stated that gained’t change his mentality.

“Win. The identical. It doesn’t change,” the British driver stated post-qualifying.