Lando Norris Takes Pole for the Australian GP, Piastri and Verstappen Follow

McLaren dominated qualifying in Melbourne, with Norris securing pole ahead of Piastri, while Verstappen could only manage third. Ferrari struggled, starting fourth row.

The 2025 Formula 1 season is officially underway, and the first qualifying session in Melbourne delivered plenty of action at Albert Park.

With dry conditions for qualifying but a high chance of rain on race day, the FIA is already discussing possible schedule changes. Moving the start time forward or backward is on the table, but delaying the race too much could lead to low visibility as the evening sets in.

Another key concern among drivers is the safety car protocol in wet conditions. Some believe the current approach doesn’t allow enough speed to keep tire temperatures up, leading to a loss of grip. A possible solution being considered is to start behind the safety car and then switch to a Virtual Safety Car (VSC) after a few laps to help maintain tire temperatures.

For now, though, it’s all about today’s qualifying session—no drama for Liam Lawson, whose Red Bull team fixed his earlier engine issue just in time.

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Q1: First Eliminations, McLaren Shows Early Pace

The session kicked off with all drivers heading out on track, mostly on soft tires, except for the Mercedes duo who opted for mediums. George Russell set the early benchmark, but lap times quickly tumbled as Norris, Piastri, and Verstappen got up to speed.

• Norris clocked an impressive 1:16.003, narrowly ahead of Piastri and Verstappen.
• Ferrari struggled, with Leclerc only managing P3 initially, while Hamilton slotted in P5.
• Liam Lawson had a nightmare session, going off track twice and eventually finishing 18th, eliminating him from Q1.
• Bearman’s car remained in the garage, meaning the Haas driver was out before even setting a time.
• Big surprise: Bortoleto made it into Q2, knocking out Antonelli in the final moments.

Q2: Tight Gaps, but Hamilton Spins

The second session saw Verstappen setting the initial pace, but the McLarens soon responded. Piastri took P1 with a 1:15.468, just ahead of Norris.

• The entire field—except Haas—was separated by just 7 tenths, showcasing how competitive the grid is this season.
• Ferrari remained off the pace, with Leclerc and Hamilton struggling to match the McLaren duo.
• A crucial mistake from Hamilton: The Mercedes driver spun, briefly bringing out yellow flags and ruining laps for Stroll, Doohan, and Bortoleto—ultimately eliminating them from Q2.

In the end, seven different teams made it to Q3, setting up an exciting battle for pole.

Q3: Norris Steals the Show

With only 12 minutes on the clock, Q3 saw two chances for each driver to set a flying lap. The first runs were mixed—Norris had a lap deleted for track limits, while Piastri made a mistake in Turn 4.

Verstappen temporarily held provisional pole, but the final laps changed everything.

• Norris delivered a stunning 1:15.096, securing pole position for McLaren!
• Piastri made it a front-row lockout for McLaren, just 0.084s behind.
• Verstappen had to settle for P3, unable to match McLaren’s pace.
• Russell took P4, while Tsunoda and Albon impressed, locking out row three.
• Ferrari disappointed, starting from the fourth row with Leclerc and Hamilton only P7 and P8.
• Gasly and Sainz completed the top 10.

Final Thoughts: A New Era for McLaren?

McLaren’s dominance in qualifying hints at a potential shift in power. Verstappen and Red Bull are still in the mix, but Ferrari’s struggles raise questions about their race pace.

With rain in the forecast for Sunday, this Grand Prix could be anything but predictable. Buckle up—Melbourne is set for a thriller!

Full results from qualifying at the Australian Grand Prix

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Norris Takes Pole in Melbourne as McLaren Stuns Red Bull Norris Takes Pole in Melbourne as McLaren Stuns Red Bull