The 2025 Formula 1 season has begun! The Australian Grand Prix last Sunday was an unpredictable and exciting race, likely to be remembered as a thrilling season opener.

Melbourne offered plenty of talking points. The expected frontrunners showed their speed, attention was on prominent drivers in new teams, and a young talent began what could be a remarkable career.

As teams head to Shanghai for the Chinese Grand Prix, Laurence Edmondson and Nate Saunders offer their initial reactions to the main stories from the first race of the 2025 F1 season.

Hamilton’s Ferrari Move: Too Soon to Judge

Lewis Hamilton finished 10th in his first Ferrari race, a somewhat subdued debut after considerable anticipation. He trailed teammate Charles Leclerc throughout the weekend and struggled against Racing Bulls and Williams cars during the race. Meanwhile, his former Mercedes teammate George Russell reached the podium, and Hamilton’s successor Andrea Kimi Antonelli achieved an impressive fourth place in his debut.

Verdict: OVERREACTION

It’s just one race. Hamilton, still smiling in Ferrari red, seemed relieved to finish a chaotic race. The race was a learning experience, with team principal Frédéric Vasseur promising to improve communication between Hamilton and his new race engineer. Hamilton has noted the significant adjustments needed moving from Mercedes to Ferrari, including steering wheel controls and data analysis.

Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, is expected to adapt quickly. While Mercedes’ performance relative to Ferrari is secondary unless they are title contenders, both teams seem behind McLaren’s pace. Ferrari appeared to lose their way with car setup during the weekend, while Mercedes showed strength and adaptability. Hamilton’s Ferrari move fulfills a long-held ambition, and one race doesn’t negate that. He promised an exciting journey with Ferrari, and remains enthusiastic. — Saunders

McLaren’s Pace: Championship Contenders?

Lando Norris validated his pre-season favorite status by securing pole position and victory in Melbourne. In drying conditions on intermediate tires, McLarens were significantly faster, demonstrating excellent tire management and speed in various corners.

Verdict: OVERREACTION

If every race were at Albert Park, McLaren might dominate. However, diverse circuits will likely shift the competitive balance. Ferrari initially looked competitive but struggled with changing conditions, possibly due to a limited understanding of their updated car. Ferrari made significant changes over the winter, requiring time to optimize their new package.

Additionally, rivals believe McLaren’s performance might decrease with stricter bodywork flexibility tests coming after the Spanish Grand Prix. Even a strong start might fade later in the season. Last year, Red Bull seemed unbeatable, yet McLaren became the top team by mid-season. Drawing firm conclusions from one race in mixed conditions is unreliable. — Edmondson

Red Bull’s Driver Choice: Tsunoda Over Lawson?

Liam Lawson struggled in his Red Bull debut, qualifying 18th and spinning out in the rain. Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda of Racing Bulls impressed, qualifying sixth and potentially finishing higher than 12th if not for a weather-related strategy misjudgment.

Verdict: NOT AN OVERREACTION

The Australian race highlighted Red Bull’s driver situation. Max Verstappen excelled, while his teammate struggled. Tsunoda, performing strongly for Racing Bulls, appears to possess the qualities Red Bull desires in a second driver: confidence, speed, and consistency, yet remains outside the senior team without clear explanation.

This isn’t to criticize Lawson, a talented driver facing a steep learning curve after limited junior team experience. Like Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon, Lawson was promoted due to circumstances. While Lawson impressed with aggressive racing last year, Tsunoda outperformed him as teammates in both 2023 and 2024.

Tsunoda is now the most experienced Red Bull junior driver. Lawson might improve at familiar tracks, but his debut was challenging, and pressure will mount if results don’t improve quickly. Both Lawson and Tsunoda arguably deserved a full season in their respective teams to prove their potential. — Saunders

Antonelli: A Future Star?

Antonelli’s impressive drive from 16th to fourth was a race highlight. In tough debut conditions, he drove like a veteran, finishing just outside the podium.

Verdict: NOT AN OVERREACTION

Despite being one race and a qualifying mistake, Antonelli’s performance reinforced the hype surrounding his rapid ascent to F1 at 18. Top F1 drivers often excel in wet conditions, and Antonelli found grip and overtook experienced drivers, reminiscent of Verstappen’s early career.

Mercedes’ strategy aided his progress, moving him from 10th to fifth during pit stops, but Antonelli’s driving was crucial. Among rookies, he seems destined for greatness, justifying the excitement around him. — Edmondson

Alonso’s Decline?

Fernando Alonso qualified narrowly ahead of Lance Stroll and uncharacteristically spun out in the rain. This raised questions about whether age is catching up to the 43-year-old driver.

Verdict: NOT AN OVERREACTION

Signs of decline were visible last year, with Alonso’s exceptional drives becoming less frequent. The gap to Stroll has narrowed, and his spin was uncharacteristic for a driver considered among F1’s most complete talents. Deeper issues may exist. Alonso thrived in 2023 when Aston Martin was briefly competitive but struggled last year, and this year looks similar. He’s racing against time for a competitive car, and the strain is evident in his media interactions, which seemed weary and uninspired even after just one race.

The arrival of Adrian Newey, primarily for the 2026 car, might revitalize Aston Martin’s development and reignite Alonso’s passion before it’s too late. — Saunders

Piastri vs. Norris: Not Ready Yet?

Oscar Piastri spun off track, losing a potential podium and falling behind teammate Norris by 23 points after one race. Was it the ‘Australian curse’ preventing a home podium, or a performance gap?

Verdict: OVERREACTION

Albert Park’s conditions made the difference between success and failure small. Norris also made a similar mistake, highlighting the track’s difficulty in heavy rain. Norris recovered, while Piastri did not.

Earlier, Piastri was closing on Norris and appeared faster. McLaren prioritized team result and prevented them from racing each other for the win, potentially costing Piastri his best chance at a home victory. Piastri’s qualifying performance was also strong, closer to Norris than last year. This setback might motivate Piastri to rebound quickly. — Edmondson

Melbourne: Ideal Season Opener?

Albert Park provided a thrilling race with changing weather impacting everyone. Multiple crashes and safety cars contributed to a memorable event, possibly one of the best season openers in recent times.

Verdict: NOT AN OVERREACTION

Melbourne should consistently host the season opener. The atmosphere and local enthusiasm are exceptional. Albert Park’s old-school, challenging layout, with less forgiving run-offs than Bahrain, contrasts with recent season openers. The unpredictable weather adds to the excitement. Even before the rain, the circuit challenged drivers like rookie Oliver Bearman.

While Bahrain is visually impressive at night, Australia offers a nostalgic feel. Piastri’s presence and his quest to break the Australian podium curse enhance the event’s appeal. — Saunders

Williams: Top Midfield Team?

Williams exceeded preseason expectations, with Albon out-qualifying and finishing ahead of both Ferraris in fifth place. Early signs suggest Williams and Racing Bulls lead the midfield, behind the top four teams. Williams is currently fourth in the constructors’ standings.

Verdict: NOT AN OVERREACTION

After rebuilding, Williams appears strong. While Carlos Sainz had a difficult weekend, he is expected to recover. Williams’ pace is evident, and they have two capable drivers pushing the team forward. With questions around Aston Martin and Alpine’s performance, Williams has an opportunity to achieve their best championship result since 2017, aiming for fifth place. — Edmondson

Rookies: Underprepared?

Every rookie faced challenges during the weekend. Bearman struggled, Hadjar crashed before the start, Doohan spun early, and Lawson and Bortoleto also went off track in the rain. Even Antonelli spun at one point. Did the rookies seem unprepared?

Verdict: OVERREACTION

This rookie class is well-prepared due to recent testing rule changes. Several, including Lawson, Bearman, and Doohan, have prior F1 race experience, practice sessions, and extensive testing opportunities. Esteban Ocon noted that today’s rookies have more relevant track time than previous generations.

Australia was an unusual race. Rain in modern F1 is rare outside of actual races, as testing is often in dry Middle Eastern conditions. Even experienced drivers like Hamilton joked about unfamiliarity with wet-weather settings on his new car. Sainz and Alonso, both race winners, also crashed in the rain, demonstrating the conditions’ difficulty. Antonelli’s strong finish also highlights the rookie class’s potential. Despite a challenging first weekend, this talented group is expected to rebound and perform well this season. — Saunders