The 2025 Formula 1 season roared to life at Melbourne's Albert Park Circuit with two action-packed practice sessions for the Australian Grand Prix. McLaren’s Lando Norris claimed the fastest time during Free Practice 1 (FP1), while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc set the pace later in the day during Free Practice 2 (FP2), offering fans an electric start to the year.
An Eventful FP1 Puts Norris on Top
Bright blue skies and warm temperatures created the perfect backdrop as the first F1 session of the season got underway. Expectations were high, especially with several drivers making their season debuts, including rookies Liam Lawson (Red Bull), Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), Jack Doohan (Alpine), Ollie Bearman (Haas), Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls), and Gabriel Bortoleto (Kick Sauber). Adding to the intrigue was seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton, debuting in Ferrari colors after his much-anticipated move to the Scuderia.
The session started smoothly as drivers felt out the track conditions, though Lawson brushed the wall at Turn 9, and reigning champion Max Verstappen kicked up gravel at Turn 6. Soon after, a red flag was triggered when multiple drivers spread loose gravel onto the track, requiring a cleanup operation. At that point, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc led the timesheets with a 1m 17.880s, ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell.
The action resumed with fresh runs on soft tires. Verstappen briefly claimed P1 before Williams’ Carlos Sainz set an impressive 1m 17.401s to take the lead. However, excitement turned to concern when Haas rookie Ollie Bearman lost control at the Turn 9/10 chicane and slammed into the wall, bringing out another red flag. While Bearman was unharmed, his crash ended the session early for the rookie.
A late flurry of laps saw Norris clock the fastest time of 1m 17.252s, edging Sainz by just a tenth and a half. Leclerc, McLaren’s home favorite Oscar Piastri, and Verstappen rounded out the top five.
Further down, Alex Albon backed Sainz in sixth for Williams, while Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and newcomer Hadjar impressed by breaking into the top 10. Hamilton, however, struggled with his car’s handling and ended FP1 in 12th, sandwiched between rookie drivers Doohan and Antonelli.
Leclerc Shines as Ferrari Dominates FP2
After a strong opening session for McLaren, FP2 offered an opportunity for other teams to refine their setups. Ferrari took full advantage as Charles Leclerc showcased blistering pace, finishing the session in P1 with a 1m 16.439s. The McLaren duo of Piastri and Norris followed in second and third, continuing their strong start to the weekend.
The session began with Kick Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto leading the cars onto the track. However, one notable absence was Bearman, whose damaged Haas remained in the garage following his FP1 crash. An early hiccup saw Norris take an awkward detour onto the grass at the pit lane exit as he avoided Lawson’s charging Red Bull. Meanwhile, Nico Hulkenberg (Kick Sauber) and Pierre Gasly (Alpine) both found themselves briefly off-track, navigating gravel traps during their runs.
Leclerc initially topped the standings alongside new Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton as the field tested medium tires. However, as drivers switched to soft compounds, the order began to shift. Yuki Tsunoda briefly put Racing Bulls in the spotlight with a fastest lap, only for Norris to reclaim the top spot moments later. Ultimately, Leclerc’s 1m 16.439s proved unbeatable, with Piastri and Norris trailing closely behind.
Elsewhere, Max Verstappen faced some delays as Red Bull worked on setup changes. He returned late in the session, securing seventh overall. Meanwhile, Tsunoda and teammate Hadjar delivered standout performances for Racing Bulls, finishing fourth and sixth, sandwiching Hamilton in fifth.
Hulkenberg claimed eighth for Kick Sauber, narrowly ahead of Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and Mercedes’ Russell, who completed the top 10. Sainz and Albon followed in P11 and P12, while Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and Alpine’s duo of Doohan and Gasly fell outside the top 10.
Rookies faced mixed fortunes, with Antonelli finishing 16th, Lawson battling issues during a race simulation, and Bortoleto rounding out the timesheets in 18th. Bearman made brief pit lane movements late in FP2 but ultimately did not record any laps.
High Stakes Heading into Saturday
With both practice sessions complete, teams will now analyze their data to prepare for Saturday’s action which will be airing live in the evening hours today (Friday), consisting of FP3 and the all-important qualifying session.
