Australian GP Live: Rain and Opening-Lap Crashes Disrupt Delayed F1 Season Opener

Australian Grand Prix 2025: Chaotic Rain-Soaked Race Sees Multiple Crashes
By Ed Carruthers and Jonathan McEvoy | Updated: 05:21 GMT, 16 March 2025

[Image: Lando Norris leads the pack at a wet Albert Park circuit. (Photo: James Sutton/Getty)]

Race Highlights
The 2025 Australian Grand Prix kicked off in torrential rain, causing chaos with multiple crashes, safety cars, and dramatic twists. McLaren’s Lando Norris secured pole, but the story of the day was the weather’s relentless havoc.

Drama Before Lights Out

The race start was delayed after Isack Hadjar (Visa Cash App RB) spun into the barriers during the formation lap, leaving the rookie distraught. Anthony Hamilton, father of Lewis, comforted the French driver as his team scrambled to assess the damage.

[Image: Hadjar’s car damaged during the formation lap. (Photo: William West/AFP)]

Early Chaos and Safety Cars

Lap 1: The race began under a safety car due to poor visibility. Moments after the restart, Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) crashed into the wall at Turn 3, bringing out another safety car.

Lap 8: Williams’ Carlos Sainz, the 2024 Australian GP winner, spun off into barriers. “The car just snapped,” he radioed. His DNF marked a brutal start for Williams.

Lap 15: Home favorite Jack Doohan (Alpine) collided with another car, shredding his rear wing. The Aussie’s race ended in tears, crushing local hopes.

[Image: Doohan’s wrecked Alpine after the crash. (Photo: Formula 1/Getty)]

McLaren vs. Verstappen

Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri dominated early, but Max Verstappen (Red Bull) lurked close. Piastri, aiming to become the first Australian winner since 1980, pressured Norris until overheating tires forced him to yield.

Verstappen struggled, skidding into a puddle and losing speed. “Tyres are dead,” he complained, settling into third.

Ferrari’s Mixed Fortunes

Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari debut was rocky. He admitted pre-race he didn’t know “where the wet button” was, and a safety car infringement penalty dropped him to eighth. Teammate Charles Leclerc finished fifth after a humorous radio exchange about a “leak” in his seat—later revealed to be rainwater.

[Image: Hamilton navigating the wet track. (Photo: Joao Filipe/DPPI)]

Record Crowds, Soaring Costs

A record 131,547 fans attended despite the rain, with four-day totals hitting 465,498. Ticket prices ranged from £125 to £2,400, reflecting F1’s growing popularity in Australia.

Key Moments

• Safety Car Struggles: Drivers battled spray and standing water, with Alex Albon and Yuki Tsunoda also penalized for safety car violations.
• Kimi Antonelli’s Spin: The Mercedes junior driver lost control while overtaking Nico Hulkenberg, dropping to 13th.
• Norris’ Netflix Critique: Pre-race, Norris slammed Drive to Survive for “fabricating” his rivalry with Verstappen.

Standings After 27 Laps

1. Lando Norris (McLaren)
2. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
4. George Russell (Mercedes)
5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

[Image: Norris celebrates his pole position. (Photo: Alessio Morgese/NurPhoto)]

Looking Ahead
With the rain expected to continue, tire strategy became critical. As conditions shift, the 2025 season promises unpredictability. Stay tuned for more updates!

For the full F1 2025 guide, including tech insights and calendar details, click here.

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