F1 2025 Australia GP LIVE: Race start time, stream and updates on Lewis Hamilton Ferrari debut – UK Times

Australian drivers Piastri and Doohan spoke ahead of the race weekend on performing in their home country:

Doohan: “[My goal is] to enjoy. Enjoy each time I’m on track, because number one, that’s why I’m here, because I enjoy what I do. And to work hard with the team, ensure that we extracted everything we could from Bahrain pre-season testing and put that into play for this weekend and then deliver on track, whatever the car’s potential.”

Piastri: “I think this is the most relaxed I’ve been at my home race. The first two years, especially the first year I came here, it was an overwhelming experience. Even last year, it was still a pretty big experience. This year, I’ve been able to enjoy it more. Maybe because I’m more confident in the car under me, but I’ve really been enjoying it and enjoying the support. I feel like it’s gone up a little since last year as well. It’s amazing what happens when you start winning stuff. No, it’s great to have all the home support, and I really appreciate it.”

The official headcount for the 2025 Australian Grand Prix race day is 131,547. However, it is the total estimated weekend crowd count that really matters: 465,498 fans watching the start of what has been deemed the closest Formula 1 season in history.

The estimated attendance is the highest on record in Melbourne, and is higher than the last year’s total — then-record — by 13,443.

With just under 30 minutes until engines turn over, the cars are lining up on a damp grid after getting a feel for the track.

The Mercedes are first out on the track and all 20 drivers are eager to test the conditions and limits of the circuit in this windy and wet weather.

Only two teams carry over their existing driver lineup into 2025 — McLaren and Aston Martin. Several of Formula 1’s familiar faces switched teams:

• Hulkenberg from Haas to Kick Sauber
• Ocon from Alpine to Haas
• Sainz from Ferrari to Williams
• Hamilton from Mercedes to Ferrari

Haas rookie Oliver Bearman has had a rough weekend so far. The British driver, who stunned with his stand-in performances for both Ferrari and Haas last season, crashed heavily in FP1, missed out on FP2 and then only made it two laps before ending his FP3 run with a spin.

Qualifying didn’t treat him much better when he failed to get a single lap in all thanks to a gearbox issue.

He will start the grand prix from the pit lane because of the car’s suspension being changed.

A quick dart to and from the paddock tells me the rain is getting heavier at the circuit.

There’s definitely a sense that this favours Max Verstappen, following his standout performance in the rain in Brazil last year. In contrast, Lando Norris had a torrid race from pole in Interlagos – can he put that right this afternoon?

As of now, we are proceeding as normal with the 3pm local start time.

The 2025 Formula 1 season ushers in more than just new faces: it also brings a series of rule changes.

1. No fastest lap point: Say goodbye to the single point for the speediest driver. While one point may not mean much to the likes of Max Verstappen, some drivers lower down the grid will go all season without scoring a single point. The fastest lap point was many athlete’s only chance.

2. Driver cooling systems: When temperatures rise, the FIA has a solution. Now, drivers will be required to wear cooling systems when a heat hazard is declared.

3. Rookies and junior drivers enjoy double the testing time in FP1

4. Sanctions on testing older cars: Drivers are now only allowed four days in cars with a limit of 1000 km of testing ground covered.

5. The FIA to clamp down on “mini-DRS” wing designs

Albert Park tends to bring on the chaos, but gusty and wet conditions mean Sunday’s Formula 1 race nearly guarantees traffic and turbulence. So, how can we expect teams to react to the unpredictable weather? If the rain holds off or the track dries in time for lights out, fans can expect to see a typical one-stop race.

Things get a bit more exciting when the showers start, though. If it is misty, it won’t be easy to predict what teams will decide. The possibility of the first wet race in Australia since 2010, paired with Pirelli’s new wet tyres, means it is anyone’s guess as to how the order will fall.

Despite a 70 percent chance of rain, Lando Norris said that won’t change his mentality.

“Win. The same. It doesn’t change,” the British driver said post-qualifying.