McLaren’s ace drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, are eagerly anticipating the start of the 2025 Formula 1 season, which will kick off with a race in Australia. The return of the Albert Park Circuit as the season opener is a welcome change for the team, which had its share of difficulties in recent years when Bahrain held the opening race.
The Bahrain circuit, noted for its long, low-speed turns, presented an enduring challenge to the McLaren team, exposing its limitations and resulting in less than ideal performances. McLaren’s track record in Bahrain is less than stellar, with the team failing to secure a podium finish since 2010. Even the start of their journey to the Constructors’ title last year kicked off with a sixth and an eighth place in Bahrain.
The Melbourne circuit, on the other hand, has proven to be a more congenial terrain for McLaren, especially for the MCL38. Norris, piloting this model, managed to start third on the grid, while local hero Piastri trailed close behind him.
As McLaren gears up to claim a championship double this season, Norris is optimistic that the Australian race will give the team a strong start to the 2025 season. During a pre-season chat with Motorsport Week and other media outlets, Norris expressed his fondness for the Australian circuit and acknowledged the team’s difficulties in Bahrain.
However, Norris was quick to clarify that the team’s struggles were not limited to Bahrain alone. He cited examples of other tracks where the team faced difficulties. Yet, he pointed out that McLaren had a good run in Australia last year, despite the car’s early-season performance issues. The Melbourne track, with its medium to high-speed corners, seems to play to McLaren’s strengths, boosting Norris’s confidence in the team’s chances there.
Norris’s teammate, Piastri, echoes his sentiments. He contends that the Melbourne circuit, with its less abrasive asphalt, provides a more realistic representation of the challenges the team will face throughout the season. In contrast, the older, rougher surface of the Bahrain circuit makes it a less reliable indicator of the team’s performance.
Despite the change in the season opener, both drivers are aware of the unique challenges that each circuit on the F1 calendar presents. They acknowledge that the sensitivity of their cars means that they will have to approach each race differently. Nonetheless, they remain optimistic about the potential of the Australian opener to set the tone for a successful season.
McLaren’s initial optimism about the 2025 F1 season seems to be well-founded, with its drivers looking forward to a strong start in Australia. This anticipation is laced with a sense of hope, a hope that the Australia opener will herald a new chapter of success for the team. After all, as the saying goes, well begun is half done.
