In the thrilling rollercoaster that was the 2025 season-opening Australian Grand Prix, the Formula 1 landscape has been dramatically set. The race was marked by unexpected showers, dramatic twists, and a pre-race crash, which resulted in a list of winners and losers that warrants a comprehensive assessment.
Oscar Piastri, the McLaren driver, unfortunately, found himself on the losing end. Showing promise during the middle of the race, Piastri was on the verge of winning. However, a late rain shower and subsequent off-track excursion at Turn 12, saw him spinning onto the grass at Turn 13. This minor misstep, unfortunately, turned a potential victory or runner-up finish into a mere handful of points for Piastri. Yet, his commendable performance, including an outstanding pass of Lewis Hamilton at Turn 9, warrants significant praise.
On the flip side, Max Verstappen proved to be a standout winner. Despite facing challenging conditions and a McLaren’s inherent pace advantage, Verstappen was able to showcase his class. His skillful navigation around the wet track and his tenacious pursuit of Lando Norris resulted in a well-fought second place. This strong start to Verstappen’s title defense indicates potential glory, especially considering the Red Bull RB21’s current underperformance.
Ferrari, however, found themselves amidst the losers. Despite promising pre-race chatter from Norris about Ferrari being McLaren’s primary competition, the race ended in disappointment for the Italian giants. Failing to capitalize on the chaotic race and not switching to intermediate tyres early enough, Ferrari missed the chance to secure a 4-5 finish. They ended the race with a meager five points and were bested by Sauber, Aston Martin, and Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes.
Lando Norris, on the other hand, emerged victorious. His calm and clear communication with the pit wall, coupled with his ability to handle pressure from Piastri and Verstappen, demonstrated his growth. Norris’s strong start to the season, leading the drivers’ championship, is a marked improvement from the previous year.
In an unfortunate turn of events, Liam Lawson’s Red Bull debut was a nightmare. With a lack of track familiarity, challenging weather conditions, and limited practice sessions due to an engine problem, Lawson struggled throughout the race. In stark contrast, Kimi Antonelli’s debut was impressive as he navigated from 17th to fourth on the track, proving himself as a standout among 2025’s rookie drivers.
Carlos Sainz, in a surprising twist, also found himself on the losing side. An unexpected spin due to a “torque kick” and his inability to adapt to the Williams-Mercedes car marked a disappointing day for the new Williams’ signing. Meanwhile, Alex Albon, Sainz’s teammate, secured a commendable fourth place finish in his best performance since his Red Bull exit in 2020.
Racing Bulls, despite Yuki Tsunoda’s outstanding performance, ended up as losers after failing to secure any points. On the other hand, Sauber, with Nico Hulkenberg’s experience and Gabriel Bortoleto’s promising performance, scored six points, marking a pleasant surprise for the season.
Finally, Alpine, despite showing promise during testing, did not secure any points due to driver errors from Jack Doohan and Pierre Gasly. On the flip side, Lance Stroll started the season on a high note, securing sixth place for Aston Martin. However, the Haas team, despite Ollie Bearman’s crash-free day, remained the slowest car, marking a disappointing start to their season.
In conclusion, the 2025 Formula 1 season opener has started with a bang, setting the tone for an exhilarating season of victories, disappointments, and thrilling performances by the world’s best drivers.