The 2025 Formula 1 season kicked off with a thrilling and chaotic Australian Grand Prix at the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit on March 16. The race was marked by unpredictable weather, multiple crashes, and a dramatic finish that saw McLaren’s Lando Norris clinch victory in treacherous conditions. The intermittent rain and slick conditions of the track created a challenging environment for all drivers, but it was particularly difficult for the rookies making their debut. With six new faces on the grid, the race tested their skills and resilience right from the start, leading to a mix of impressive performances and unfortunate early exits.
Race Highlights
Lando Norris and McLaren emerged victorious, holding off Red Bull’s Max Verstappen by a mere 0.895 seconds. George Russell completed the podium for Mercedes, finishing third. The race was characterized by intermittent rain, which caused havoc on the track and led to several safety car periods.
Baptism by… water
The 2025 season features six rookies making their full-time debuts in Formula 1: Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Jack Doohan, Isack Hadjar, Gabriel Bortoleto, Oliver Bearman, and Liam Lawson. Here’s how they fared in their first race:
- Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes): Antonelli had an impressive debut, finishing fourth after a post-race penalty was reversed. The young Italian showed great composure in the challenging conditions, making a strong case for his potential in the sport.
- Jack Doohan (Alpine): Unfortunately, Doohan’s race ended prematurely as he was one of the drivers who crashed out in the difficult wet conditions. Despite the setback, his performance in the early stages showed promise.
- Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls): Hadjar faced a tough debut, crashing out during the formation lap. The Red Bull junior driver will be looking to bounce back in the upcoming races.
- Gabriel Bortoleto (Kick Sauber): Bortoleto also had a challenging race, crashing out along with Liam Lawson. The Brazilian rookie will need to regroup and focus on the next race.
- Oliver Bearman (Haas): Bearman managed to finish the race, albeit in 14th place. The British driver showed resilience in the face of adversity and will aim to build on this experience.
- Liam Lawson (Red Bull): Lawson’s debut was cut short by a crash, adding to the list of rookies who struggled in the wet conditions. The New Zealander will be eager to prove himself in the next race.
The 2025 Australian Grand Prix was a baptism of fire for the rookies, with the unpredictable weather playing a significant role in their performances. While some showed glimpses of their potential, others faced early exits. Luckily, we don’t have long to wait to see how they continue to stack up as the next race is this weekend at the Shanghai International Circuit in China. Hopefully, with one weekend under their belts we can see less DNFs this time around.
