Lando Norris topped the timesheets in the opening practice session at the Australian Grand Prix sounding an ominous warning to Red Bull about just how good the McLaren car will be on the Melbourne track.

Norris clocked a 1:17.252 on the soft tyre while Carlos Sainz came in second in his Williams ahead of former Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc.

Lewis Hamilton came in 12th in his Ferrari debut while Australian duo Oscar Piastri and Jack Doohan finished 4th and 13th respectively.

It was a brutal welcome to the F1 circuit for Haas rookie Ollie Bearman who crashed heavily midway through the session causing significant damage to his car.

CAN DOOHAN HANDLE THE PRESSURE?

For the first time since 2019, Melbourne will host the opening race of a Formula One season and the sport is not short of storylines.

Lewis Hamilton will make his debut in Ferrari red, Max Verstappen is eyeing a fifth consecutive title as he looks to join Michael Schumacher in rare air and Oscar Piastri will be eyeing a maiden home win after a successful 2024 season with McLaren.

But the early pressure will be on another Australian in the form of Alpine’s newest recruit Jack Doohan who has reportedly been told he has just three races to prove himself worthy of a seat alongside Pierre Gasly.

F1 SCHEDULE 2025

WHAT: Albert Park, Melbourne
WHEN: March 13-16, 2025

TIMES (all AEDT)

March 14:
F1 practice 1 12:30-1:30pm
F1 practice 2: 4-5pm

March 15:
F1 practice 3 12:30-1:30pm
F1 qualifying 4-5pm

March 16:
F1 driver’s parade 1-1:30pm
F1 race 3pm (58 laps)

WATCH: Live stream on Kayo

CIRCUIT TIMES
Thursday: 10:00 - 19:30
Friday - Sunday: 08:30 - 21:00

According to paddock insider Michael Schmidt, the young Aussie could be an early victim of Flavio Briatore’s impatience.

“He (Briatore) has two very good reserve drivers in Franco Colapinto and Paul Aron and Colapinto might also bring him a bit of sponsorship money,” Schmidt told Auto Motor und Sport YouTube channel.

“Yes, actually you should give him (Doohan) more time, but we all know that Flavio Briatore’s fuse is short.

“What I hear is that Doohan gets exactly three races and he has to be within three-tenths of Gasly.

“He will be replaced when he is half a second behind Gasly. I would say after the Japanese Grand Prix he will be gone.”

WEATHER

Friday is expected to be warm and 24°C, rising to 31°C on Saturday, while there's a chance of rain on Sunday.

The Melbourne track

Laps: 58 laps total race distance = 306km.

Lap record: 1:19.813 Leclerc (2024)

Most wins: Michael Schumacher (2002-2002, 2004). Hamilton (2008, 2015)

Most poles: Hamilton (2008, 2012, 2014-2019)

F1 Driver line-up 2025

Red Bull
Max Verstappen – #1
Liam Lawson – #30

Ferrari
Charles Leclerc – #16
Lewis Hamilton – #44

McLaren
Lando Norris – #4
Oscar Piastri – #81

Mercedes
George Russell – #63
Andrea Kimi Antonelli – #12

Aston Martin
Fernando Alonso – #14
Lance Stroll – #18

RB
Yuki Tsunoda – #22
Isack Hadjar – #6

Haas
Oliver Bearman – #87
Esteban Ocon – #31

Alpine
Pierre Gasly – #10
Jack Doohan – #7

Williams
Alex Albon – #23
Carlos Sainz – #55

Kick Sauber
Nico Hulkenberg – #27
Gabriel Bortoleto – #5