Race One - 2025 Australian GP [Melbourne Park]

[Nitrodaze]

Has there ever been a time like this when the entire F1 community was so eager for the season opener to arrive? We go into the start of the season with no clear indication of the true pecking order of the grid. While most would agree McLaren appears to be ahead, most would also not be too surprised if that turns out not to be the case by the end of the race at Melbourne Park.

This is one season that could be full of surprises, drama and changes of fortune all the way to Abu Dhabi. While most have an idea which team might win the Constructor's championship. Very few can confidently say who would win the driver's championship.

It is very tight at the sharp end of the grid. So tight, such that there is very little room for mistakes. A bad weekend could spell trouble for any of the contending drivers. This is a season that demands, perfection, consistency and determination. This is a season that would be impatient of excuses, where luck could make an unlikely champion to emerge from obscurity. Or for long overdue championship contenders to step into the limelight.

This season is the stuff of folklore and the making of legends. As the world holds its breath on the prospects of World War Three, we can, in the interim distract ourselves on a season full of such promise to fully entertain.

So l dare you to name your drivers for the podium of this Australian GP.

[gm99]

Ferrari have usually done well in Albert Park, winning four of the last six races there.
So I would not be surprised to see at least one driver dressed in red up on the podium on Sunday. Maybe Hamilton will even have a fairy-tale start to his Ferrari career, much like Mansell (another Brit) had in 1989.
McLaren haven't won down under since Button did the deed in 2012, but I would still expect one Papaya-clad driver on the rostrum as well.
Last place on my podium will go either to a second Ferrari or McLaren or Russell's Mercedes.

So just to upset the Aussies, I'll go for a pommy lockout of Hamilton-Norris-Russell

[N. Jones]

Are we thinking someone will get their first ever win, or will a former winner take the top step?

[Matthew]

Rain is likely to interrupt the race on Sunday but it doesn't matter how the weather will be during the race weekend, there will be plenty to enjoy for the fans in and around the circuit with a range of activities and events are happening including Q&A sessions, racing simulators, live music performances from the likes of Baker Boy and The Living End and much more.

[Used to be Starter]

Are we thinking someone will get their first ever win, or will a former winner take the top step?

I'll predict 1)Red Bull, 2)Ferrari, 3)Mercedes, 4)Ferrari, 5)Williams, 6) a rookie.

[airshifter]

I'll predict 1)Red Bull, 2)Ferrari, 3)Mercedes, 4)Ferrari, 5)Williams, 6) a rookie.

Well that wasn't very close, but we knew it was going to be tight this season.

At least you got close with Williams.

Alex and Yuki ahead of both Ferrari's has to be the shock of the season opener. If it rains as expected, there could be some changes through the field, and I suspect that Max might be able to overcome the McLarens.

[Nitrodaze]

Shocker for Ferrari at qualifying. 0.7sec from Norris suggests they have messed up somewhere along the line. But the underrated drivers shined. Albon seriously smashed Sainz. Yuki stuck a finger up at Redbull as their choice crashed out in Q1. But the really sweet thing for these drivers is that they both out-qualified both Ferrari cars in the process.

McLaren seems to be on a roll, continuing where they left off last season. Solid One-Two at the front for what may be a rainy Sunday race. Interestingly, Verstappen is right behind both McLarens for a wet race. Who would bet against Verstappen winning the race tomorrow? But the gap of 0.3sec, on one lap pace suggests the McLaren may be in a league of their own this season. Russell in the Mercedes is thereabout. A bit disappointing for them as most would expect them to be ahead of Redbull based on the pace shown in pre-season testing and free practice sessions.

I watched Lawson fight the car all the way around his best lap and saw all the things that Perez was struggling with happening to this young driver. The problems with Redbull's second garage continue unabated. Surprisingly, no rookie made it into the top ten on this first qualifying. Antonelli and Hadjah would be most disappointed of a missed opportunity.

For Ferrari, they have work to do to unlock the full potential of their new car. Ferrari cars are typically crap in the rain, hence a rainy Sunday race spells more woes for the Scarlet team. It is going to be an eventful race it would seem.

Hamilton showed impressive improvement over the weekend. He was 0.6s behind in FP1, 0.43s in FP2 and 0.2s in Quali.

[F1nKS]

Fun qualifying. I am happy to see Williams be able to carry over from the preseason testing.

I am interested in seeing how the Piastri-Norris battle goes. Could this be the next version of the Hamilton-Rosberg fight from the Silver Arrows War of 2016?

[Nitrodaze]

Fun qualifying. I am happy to see Williams be able to carry over from the preseason testing.

I am interested in seeing how the Piastri-Norris battle goes. Could this be the next version of the Hamilton-Rosberg fight from the Silver Arrows War of 2016?

I guess we will find out at lights out tomorrow.