S Poddar
The 2025 Formula 1 campaign got underway in style at the Australian Grand Prix, with Lando Norris dominating the unpredictable weather to take the win. The race started on a wet circuit before drying out, only for a late downpour to cause havoc. In spite of the drama, Norris was able to turn his pole into a breathtaking victory, with Max Verstappen and George Russell joining him on the podium.
Lando Norris was the star of the show. Following his victory in last season’s Abu Dhabi finale, Norris won his first consecutive F1 victories, ending Verstappen’s 1,029-day dominance at the top of the drivers’ championship. His skill under extreme pressure was evident as he recovered from a qualifying track limits penalty and fended off Verstappen’s late charge. The question now is whether Norris can keep his cool in coming battles against the current champion.
The race was a nightmare for Ferrari. Lewis Hamilton’s long-awaited debut with the team saw expectations high, but starting fourth row dampened the mood. A tactical mistake during the torrential rain on Lap 44 added to their woes. Charles Leclerc managed to cross the finish line eighth, and Hamilton took tenth place. Ferrari now relies on bouncing back immediately and revealing their true form.
Mercedes found success through both strategy and performance. By successfully overturning Kimi Antonelli’s five-second penalty for an unsafe release, the team restored his remarkable fourth-place finish. Antonelli’s climb from 16th on the grid, after being knocked out in Q1, was nothing short of spectacular. George Russell’s third-place finish, aided by Oscar Piastri’s spin, added to Mercedes’ triumph. Antonelli’s ability to thrive in treacherous conditions while other rookies faltered suggests Mercedes has unearthed a future star.
Red Bull’s novice drivers had a rough baptism. Liam Lawson couldn’t keep up with Verstappen’s speed, was eliminated in Q1, and spun at Turn 2 in the torrential rain. Isack Hadjar’s weekend was just as underwhelming, his impressive qualifying session overshadowed by an embarrassing crash on the formation lap. Things were made worse by Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko slamming Hadjar for getting emotional over the crash.
Williams was the unexpected challenger. Alex Albon’s magnificent drive to fifth place underlined the FW47’s competitiveness, which had been so impressive in pre-season testing. Carlos Sainz, the fastest in testing, had his race cut short by a technical problem that caused him to crash on the first lap. In the face of this disappointment, Williams proved that they possess a very good package for 2025 and look well-placed to be deeply in the midfield.
Haas ended up at the back of the grid. Having improved last year to finish seventh in the constructors’ championship, the team’s form took a dramatic slump. Esteban Ocon lacked pace, and rookie Oliver Bearman had two crashes, restricting him to only 13.5 laps over three practice sessions. With Bearman’s qualifying performance hindered by these, Haas is now subject to speculation regarding whether they are focusing more on future power unit regulations than current performance.
The 2025 Australian Grand Prix has laid the groundwork for a captivating campaign. Norris’s win marks the beginning of a possible title challenge, while the woes of Ferrari and Red Bull suggest a wildly unpredictable fightback. Meanwhile, Mercedes and Williams have demonstrated evidence of revival, exciting fans for the next installment in this captivating campaign.
