The 2025 Formula 1 season kicked off with a dramatic first practice session at the Australian Grand Prix, as British rookie Oliver Bearman suffered a heavy crash while Lando Norris topped the timesheets for McLaren.
Bearman, who is embarking on his first full F1 season after making three substitute appearances last year for Ferrari and Haas, lost control at Turn 10, spinning into the barriers. Fortunately, he was uninjured.
Hamilton Struggles, Norris Sets the Pace
In his Ferrari debut, Lewis Hamilton could only manage 12th place, struggling with the car's handling. Over the radio, he complained that he was "struggling to turn the car" around the tight Albert Park circuit.
His teammate Charles Leclerc was more competitive, finishing third, just 0.06 seconds behind Carlos Sainz, who surprised many by setting the second-fastest time in the Williams.
At the top of the leaderboard, Norris edged out Sainz by 0.149 seconds, showcasing McLaren’s early-season pace.
Top 10 Standings from FP1
- Lando Norris (McLaren)
- Carlos Sainz (Williams) +0.149s
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.209s
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- Alex Albon (Williams)
- George Russell (Mercedes)
- Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
- Isack Hadjar (Racing Bull)
- Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
Incidents and Red Flags
Bearman’s accident triggered a 10-minute red flag, allowing marshals to clear his damaged car from the track.
Earlier in the session, another red flag was brought out after Australian rookie Jack Doohan (Alpine) dragged gravel onto the circuit at Turn 6. The same corner saw Oscar Piastri run slightly wide, adding more gravel to the track, although this did not cause a stoppage.
George Russell also had a near-miss after dropping a wheel onto the grass late in the session, but he managed to keep his Mercedes out of the barriers.
Turn 6 Concerns
The FIA had reworked the wall and kerbs at Turn 6 following heavy crashes last year involving Russell and Albon, both of whom had bounced back onto the circuit after losing control. However, with multiple incidents occurring at the same spot, officials may need to reassess the changes to prevent further stoppages throughout the weekend.
Off-Track News: Teams Commit to F1 Until 2030
Away from the track, a significant development emerged—all 10 F1 teams have now signed their commercial agreements, committing to the sport until 2030.
However, before the current deals expire at the end of this season, teams must still negotiate new agreements with the FIA, a process that could take some time.
With plenty of drama both on and off the track, the Australian Grand Prix weekend is shaping up to be an exciting start to the new season.
