Lando Norris Tops Australian GP Practice as Lewis Hamilton St……read more
The 2025 Formula 1 season officially got underway with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, kicking off an action-packed weekend at the iconic Albert Park Circuit. In the first practice session, McLaren’s Lando Norris stole the spotlight, setting the fastest time and giving his team a strong start to the new season. However, the session was not without drama, as Ferrari’s young British rookie, Oliver Bearman, suffered a heavy crash that brought out a red flag.
Norris Leads the Charge with Impressive Pace
McLaren came out strong in the opening session of the season, with Norris laying down an impressive lap to top the timesheets. His time was 0.149 seconds quicker than his closest rival, Carlos Sainz, who was making his Williams debut after a high-profile move from Ferrari. Charles Leclerc, still with Ferrari, rounded out the top three, finishing just 0.06 seconds behind Sainz.
The performance from Norris signaled that McLaren had developed a strong car for the 2025 season, as his teammate Oscar Piastri also delivered an impressive result, securing the fourth-fastest time. With both McLaren drivers showing competitive pace early on, the team appears to be a strong contender for the race weekend.
Oliver Bearman’s Heavy Crash Brings Out the Red Flag
While the session showcased some promising performances, it also brought a moment of concern when Ferrari’s Oliver Bearman crashed heavily at Turn 10. The British rookie, embarking on his first full season in Formula 1, lost control of his car and slammed into the barriers, bringing out a red flag.
Bearman, who gained experience with Ferrari and Haas in 2024 as a substitute driver, had been looking to make a solid start to his first full campaign. However, his crash halted the session for about 10 minutes as marshals worked to clear his damaged Ferrari from the track. Fortunately, Bearman was unharmed in the incident, though his team now faces a significant repair job ahead of the next sessions.
Jack Doohan’s Off-Track Moment Causes Another Red Flag
The drama didn’t end with Bearman’s crash. Earlier in the session, a separate red flag was brought out when gravel was scattered across the circuit at Turn 6. The culprit was Australian rookie Jack Doohan, who ran off-track in his Alpine and dragged gravel onto the racing line.
While Doohan’s off-track moment didn’t result in a crash, the session had to be briefly paused for track marshals to clear the debris, ensuring safe running for the rest of the field. Despite the setback, the home favorite managed to complete the session, gaining valuable track time at his maiden home Grand Prix as a full-time F1 driver.
Encouraging Signs for McLaren and Williams
The session’s results highlighted strong early-season form for McLaren, with both Norris and Piastri featuring prominently at the top of the timesheets. Their pace suggests they could be in the mix for podium contention, if not a potential fight for victory, depending on how the rest of the weekend unfolds.
Another notable takeaway was Williams’ impressive start, with Carlos Sainz slotting into second place. After leaving Ferrari at the end of 2024, Sainz’s immediate speed in the Williams suggests that the team has made significant progress, possibly shaking up the established order in the midfield.
Meanwhile, Ferrari showed glimpses of pace with Leclerc in third, though Bearman’s crash meant the team didn’t have an ideal session. How the Scuderia bounces back from the incident will be a key talking point as the weekend progresses.
What’s Next in Melbourne?
With the first practice session wrapped up, teams will now analyze data and make necessary adjustments ahead of the remaining practice sessions and qualifying. The big question remains whether McLaren can maintain its strong pace throughout the weekend and whether Ferrari can recover from Bearman’s crash without disruption.
The Australian Grand Prix is already proving to be an unpredictable and thrilling season opener, with surprises, crashes, and standout performances setting the stage for an exciting weekend of racing in Melbourne.
