Australian Grand Prix: F1 session, predictions, statistics
Formula 1 has arrived in Melbourne for the first race of the season in Albert Park.
The Grand Prix on Sunday is the first time that all 20 drivers from 10 teams are on the grid for the 2025 season.
All eyes are aimed at Lewis Hamilton this weekend when he takes on his first race for F1, Ferrari. Other drivers who can be seen are the six newcomers who are part of new driver pairings for eight teams, with the exception of Aston Martin and McLaren.
No Australian driver won a Home Grand Prix or was on the podium. McLaren looked like the strongest team in February. Could Lando Norris’ teammate Oscar Piatri end these statistics after 40 years?
Friday is expected that it will be warm and settles with temperatures by 24 ° C and rises to 31 ° C on Saturday, while there is a rain chance on Sunday.
Latest news
Lewis Hamilton recreated the scene from ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’, watching the clip. Hamilton also insisted that the pressure on him to appear in Ferrari comes from himself and not from elsewhere.
Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc said that he had no problem with the focus of Hamilton at the center of the media’s attention and is not greater than the team.
Toto Wolff said that Max Verstappen was no longer on his radar and adds that he speaks about a contract for a contract Renewall: “I don’t flirt outside when I’m in a good relationship.” In the meantime, Verstappen Red Bull’s chances of winning played down in Melbourne and said the car was not yet fast enough.
McLaren believes that Norris and Piatri can easily coexist if the team goes into the new season as favorites, but Norris pointed out that McLaren is considered favorites and said that he was surprised that people “make conclusions before we even started the season”.
The Australian driver and the F1 rookie Jack Doohan said that he knew that his seat was threatened by all four reserve drivers from Alpine not only from Franco Colapinto when he goes into a Grand Prix in a Home Grand Prix, under pressure to perform.
Piatri has committed McLaren to his long -term future after signing a multi -year contract extension to 2026.
Listen to the season preview and the latest episode of Unobstructed.
Circuit statistics and history
Between 1985 and 1995, Adelaide held the Australian Grand Prix and served as a season finale in November of each year. Although it was successful and 210,000 people took part in the last race, it became too expensive and Melbourne took over the hosts the following year.
The Albert Park Street Circuit regularly served as a seasonal opening race with drivers and fans, who enjoyed the carnival atmosphere and the enthusiasm that arrives in Melbourne every autumn in March.
The circuit is one of the fastest in the calendar and consistently offers a spectacle for the excitement of a new season.
First race: 1996
Round: 58 rounds of 5.2 km. Total separation line: 306 km.
Lap record: 1: 19.813, Leclerc (2024)
Most victories: Michael Schumacher with four (2002-2002, 2004). Carlos Sainz (2024) won all of the current Grid Hamilton (2008, 2015), Leclerc (2022), Verstappen (2023).
Most rods: Hamilton with eight (2008, 2012, 2014-2019). The current grid Leclerc (2022) and Verstappen (2023) were also on Pole here.
What makes it special: A parking shifting with a mixture of fast corners and irreconcilable walls. The Australian hosts also offer the perfect party atmosphere to start the season.
What the drivers say: “The atmosphere in Melbourne is always unreal and the route is fun and is fast.” – Daniel Ricciardo
Where to see :: Turns 9 and 10. It is the fastest section of the circuit with a very low edge for errors. The change in direction underlines the remarkable performance of an F1 car, and there is a general approval area on the outside of curve 9 for the simple display.
What happened last year?
In last year’s Grand Prix a year, Sainz won two weeks after appendicitis for Ferrari.
Verstappen dramatically retired in the early moments of the race with a brake fire, and the race ended under virtual security car when Russell crashed in the last round.
Who will win?
You could be convincing for every driver among the four best teams who win in Melbourne. However, some are still more likely than others, and due to tests, Norris must be the favorite in the pre -season and the form of 2024.
How to watch the GP
Regarding ESPN and ESPN+ (Only we) – look at the schedule.
Live Broadcast reporting in Great Britain is on Sky Sports F1 and BBC Radio 5 live.
For news, analyzes and updates, follow the reporting ESPNS F1 team Nate Saunders and Laurence Edmondson in Albert Park and on social media.
Friday
Free exercise one: 01: 30-02: 30 GMT
Free exercise two: 05: 00-06: 00 GMT
Saturday
Free practice three: 01: 30-02: 30 GMT
Qualifying: 05: 00-06: 00 GMT
Sunday
The race begins: 04:00 GMT.
Evaluation | Calendar | Team
– 2025 F1 circuits: their history, statistics and why they are something special
– Key facts about drivers, teams, event locations, more
– Reasons for every F1 driver, questions for each team
– Meet the newcomers: What you can expect from the F1 class from 2025
