Australian GP Starts 2025 F1 Season: Norris Leads FP1, Verstappen P5 Amid Two Red Flags and Bearman Crash

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Updated Mar 14, 2025, 05:01 AM

The 2025 Formula 1 season kicked off with the Australian Grand Prix at the 5.278-meter-long Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, the first of 24 races planned for the year. In the opening practice session, FP1, Lando Norris of McLaren set the fastest lap time, with Carlos Sainz in a Williams and Charles Leclerc in a Ferrari following closely behind. Four-time world champion Max Verstappen finished in fifth place, while his Red Bull teammate Liam Lawson ended the session in 16th position. The session experienced two interruptions with red flags: the first caused by gravel on the track at turn six, and the second following a severe crash by Oliver Bearman of Haas between turns nine and ten. Bearman lost control at high speed, went through the gravel, and upon rejoining the track, slammed into the wall, causing significant damage to his car. The session was briefly halted but resumed with drivers returning to the track on soft tires. The Australian Grand Prix also marks the debut of five new full-season drivers in Formula 1 for 2025: Kimi Antonelli with Mercedes, Jack Doohan with Alpine, Oliver Bearman with Haas, Isack Hadjar with Racing Bulls, and Gabriel Bortoleto with Sauber. Conditions during FP1 were warm, with air temperatures at 24°C and track temperatures reaching 40°C. Nico Hulkenberg was the first driver to take to the track, marking the first official laps of the season. Early in the session, Verstappen set the fastest time on medium tires, while Lawson reported brushing the wall and returned to the pits for a check-up. As the session progressed, George Russell moved into second place, and Sainz, on soft tires, briefly took the lead before Norris set the quickest time at the end. Russell experienced a slight moment in turn four but continued without damage.

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