Australia Overreactions: McLaren Unbeatable, Hamilton Regret

The 2025 Formula 1 season has begun! Last Sunday`s Australian Grand Prix was an incredibly unpredictable and exciting race, destined to be remembered as one of the most thrilling season openers in the sport`s history.

Melbourne was full of compelling narratives. The preseason favorites demonstrated their speed, attention was focused on prominent figures in new teams, and a promising teenager began to write the initial chapters of what could become a remarkable career.

As the teams depart Albert Park and head to Shanghai for the upcoming Chinese Grand Prix, let`s examine some initial reactions to the key talking points that emerged from the first round of the 2025 F1 season.

Hamilton`s Move to Ferrari Was a Mistake

Lewis Hamilton finished 10th in his debut race for Ferrari. Despite the extensive anticipation and media attention surrounding his Ferrari debut, the result was somewhat underwhelming. Hamilton trailed teammate Charles Leclerc throughout the weekend and spent parts of the race battling with cars from Racing Bulls and Williams. Meanwhile, his former Mercedes teammate George Russell secured a podium finish, and rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli achieved an impressive fourth place in his first F1 race.

Verdict: OVERREACTION

It`s too early to jump to conclusions – it was just one race. Hamilton`s characteristic big smile, present since joining Ferrari, was still evident on Sunday evening. He seemed relieved to have navigated such a chaotic race unscathed.

The race provided valuable learning for everyone involved. Team principal Frédéric Vasseur has pledged a comprehensive review of the communication between Hamilton and his new race engineer, Riccardo Adami. Hamilton has consistently emphasized the significant adjustments required in transitioning from Mercedes to Ferrari, citing details as specific as steering wheel button layouts and data analysis protocols. However, the communication with Adami highlighted the degree to which both parties still need to synchronize.

Hamilton is a seven-time world champion and the most successful driver in F1 history, so the explanation of adaptation will not remain valid for long. In fact, this justification for being off the pace might already be wearing thin, given Hamilton`s established status. He is rightly held to a higher standard than most.

Regarding the Mercedes-Ferrari comparison, unless Mercedes is contending for championships, their relative performance to Ferrari is ultimately secondary. Ferrari appeared to lose their way with car setup during the weekend, believing they did not demonstrate their true potential. Mercedes appeared strong and reacted effectively to the changing conditions late in the race. However, neither team currently seems to pose a significant threat to McLaren, at least at this early stage of the season, and possibly for the entire year.

Hamilton`s move fulfilled a lifelong ambition to race for Ferrari, and a single disappointing result compared to Mercedes does not alter this. If Mercedes were to win a championship this year or in 2026 before Ferrari does, it would be a difficult point to argue against from a legacy perspective. But for now, it`s not a mistake. He promised the Ferrari fans an exciting journey, and he still seems to be enjoying every moment.

McLaren Is Uncatchable This Season

Lando Norris validated his preseason favorite status by securing pole position and winning the race in Melbourne. In drying conditions on intermediate tires, the McLarens were significantly faster than any other car, demonstrating superior tire management and exceptional speed across various corner types.

Verdict: OVERREACTION

If all 24 races were held at Albert Park, it would be difficult to imagine anyone defeating McLaren for the championship. However, the diversity of circuit types throughout the season, even within the next five races, will likely lead to shifts in the competitive hierarchy.

Ferrari initially appeared to be a genuine challenger to McLaren during Friday practice but seemed to struggle adapting to the evolving conditions throughout the weekend. This likely stems from a gap in the team`s understanding of their car. Ferrari also implemented the most significant car changes over the winter, switching to pull-rod front suspension, and it was always expected to take time to fully optimize the potential of this new design.

Furthermore, McLaren`s rivals suspect their cars are most susceptible to performance losses due to stricter bodywork flexibility tests scheduled to be introduced from the Spanish Grand Prix onwards. If this is the case, even a dominant start to the season could unravel as the majority of the season remains.

It`s also important to recall that last year, no one believed Red Bull could be challenged for the constructors` championship, yet they finished third overall, and McLaren emerged with the most competitive overall package by mid-season. Simply put, drawing firm conclusions from a single race at an unusual circuit in mixed conditions is unreliable.

Red Bull Promoted the Wrong Driver

Liam Lawson struggled throughout his Red Bull debut weekend, qualifying 18th and spinning out of the race in the worsening rain. Conversely, Yuki Tsunoda of Racing Bulls was a standout performer, qualifying sixth and potentially finishing higher than 12th had his team not misjudged the weather conditions at the end of the race.

Verdict: NOT AN OVERREACTION

The Australian race seemed to perfectly exemplify this point. The race highlighted Red Bull`s recent driver situation in microcosm. Max Verstappen excelled in all conditions, while his teammate appeared to be driving a car from a different category at the back of the field. Meanwhile, Tsunoda performed excellently for Racing Bulls, seemingly embodying everything Red Bull desires in a driver alongside Verstappen: confidence, speed, and consistency. Yet, he remains excluded from the senior team, and Red Bull has not provided a convincing explanation for this.

This is not intended to criticize Lawson. He is clearly a talented driver but has been thrust into a high-pressure situation after limited experience with the junior team across two seasons. Like Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon before him, Lawson was promoted to the top team prematurely due to unforeseen circumstances. It would be unfortunate to see him struggle significantly alongside Verstappen. Lawson impressed Red Bull with his aggressive racing style last year, but Tsunoda outperformed him during their time as teammates in both 2023 and 2024.

Entering his fifth season, Tsunoda is now the most experienced driver within the Red Bull junior program.

Lawson should perform better at more familiar circuits, as he had never raced at Albert Park in any category. However, his debut was difficult to watch, and scrutiny will quickly intensify if Lawson cannot improve his performance rapidly. The New Zealander deserved a full season in the junior team to demonstrate his capabilities, just as much as Tsunoda deserved an opportunity in the top team.

Antonelli Could Be the Next Verstappen

Antonelli`s impressive drive from 16th on the grid to fourth at the finish was a major highlight of Sunday`s race. The conditions were exceptionally challenging for a debut, yet Antonelli delivered a performance reminiscent of a seasoned veteran to finish just outside the podium.

Verdict: NOT AN OVERREACTION

While it`s only one race and Antonelli made a qualifying error, the positive aspects of his performance reinforced the hype surrounding his rapid ascent to the pinnacle of motorsport at just 18 years old. The best F1 drivers consistently excel in wet conditions, and Antonelli found grip in unexpected areas at Albert Park while overtaking more experienced drivers, strikingly similar to Verstappen in his early seasons.

Mercedes` effective strategy undoubtedly contributed – moving him from 10th to fifth during the final pit stops by mirroring Norris` strategy – but this should not diminish Antonelli`s driving performance. Among the current rookie class, he already appears to be the one destined for exceptional achievements. There is every reason to be excited about his potential.

Alonso Is Not the Same Driver Anymore

Fernando Alonso qualified only 0.081 seconds ahead of Lance Stroll, before uncharacteristically spinning out as the rain intensified during the race. This unusual mistake from Alonso raised questions about whether this season might be one too many for the 43-year-old, the oldest driver on the grid.

Verdict: NOT AN OVERREACTION

There were hints of this last year, but Alonso`s exceptional performances have become less frequent recently. The performance gap between him and Stroll has noticeably decreased, and his spin in the rain on Sunday was a relatively simple error, unexpected from someone widely considered one of the most complete talents in F1 this century.

Deeper issues may also be present. Alonso thrived in 2023 when Aston Martin briefly had a car capable of challenging for podiums, but last year was more difficult, and this year appears similar. Alonso is in a race against time to regain access to a competitive car, and the strain of this wait is evident in his media interactions. Even in the first race, his responses seemed weary, bored, and uninspired.

Hopefully, the recent arrival of Adrian Newey, although primarily focused on the 2026 car, can inject momentum into Aston Martin`s upgrade program and reignite Alonso`s passion before it`s too late.

Piastri Isn`t Ready to Challenge Norris

The end of lap 44 was difficult to watch as Oscar Piastri`s rear wheels spun helplessly in the runoff area at Turn 13, allowing many cars to pass. Perhaps it was the `Australian curse,` preventing an Australian driver from achieving a home podium in a world championship F1 race, but Piastri missed a significant opportunity and already trails teammate Norris by 23 points after just one race.

Verdict: OVERREACTION

The conditions at Albert Park created a very fine line between success and failure on Sunday. Norris, who admitted this in the post-race press conference, made the same error as Piastri on lap 44, demonstrating how challenging it was to control the car in the heavy rain at Turn 12. Norris managed to recover and stop his car before Turn 13, while Piastri ran wide and spun onto the grass.

Approximately 15 laps earlier, Piastri was closing on Norris and appeared to be the faster McLaren driver. Eager to avoid jeopardizing a win while their cars were significantly ahead of Verstappen, McLaren seemingly curtailed the inter-team battle, potentially denying Piastri his best chance at a home victory.

Another positive aspect for the Australian was his qualifying performance. Last year, he often struggled to match Norris on Saturdays, but in Melbourne, he was only 0.084 seconds behind his more experienced teammate – a margin that could easily fluctuate throughout the season. Sunday`s outcome will likely motivate Piastri, and he will be eager to respond at the earliest opportunity.

F1 Should Always Start the Season in Melbourne

Albert Park provided a thrilling spectacle, with the unpredictable weather challenging rookies and world champions alike. Six drivers retired, and the safety car was deployed three times. It could be argued that it was the greatest opening race of the modern era, with few comparable events in recent memory.

Verdict: NOT AN OVERREACTION

Albert Park should have a permanent contract to host the season opener. Beyond the exciting race, the atmosphere and enthusiasm in Melbourne were exceptional. The local fans clearly love Formula 1, making it a fitting location to launch the most anticipated F1 season in recent years. The Albert Park circuit has a classic feel, featuring challenging corners and gravel traps that penalize driver errors, contrasting with the extensive runoff areas at Bahrain, which has more commonly hosted the season opener recently.

The weather was an unpredictable factor, but it has always contributed to Melbourne`s reputation as a great and unpredictable venue for a Formula 1 race. Even before the rain, the demanding circuit challenged drivers like Haas rookie Oliver Bearman.

Bahrain is visually impressive under lights, but Australia offers a nostalgic feel reminiscent of the early 2000s. Perhaps it`s a matter of personal preference, but Australia deserves to maintain this position in the future. An added benefit is having Piastri on the grid; he is poised to be a frontrunner for a long time, and his pursuit to break the `Australian curse` will be an ongoing storyline at this phenomenal event.

Williams Can Finish Fifth in the Constructors` Championship

Williams lived up to preseason expectations, with Albon out-qualifying both Ferraris and finishing ahead of them in the race for a solid fifth place. Carlos Sainz was caught out by the conditions, but early indications suggest Williams and Racing Bulls are leading the midfield pack behind the top four teams. Williams currently sits fourth in the championship standings after the first round.

Verdict: NOT AN OVERREACTION

After several seasons of rebuilding, Williams is beginning to operate effectively again. Sainz had a poor weekend in Australia at a crucial moment but has shown pace at times and is likely to regain his form in upcoming races.

The car`s pace is evident, and the team now has two drivers capable of extracting that performance and pushing each other forward. In a season where questions remain about the performance of Aston Martin and, to a lesser extent, Alpine, Williams has an opportunity to achieve their best championship result since 2017 and secure fifth in the standings.

The Rookie Class Is Underprepared

Every rookie encountered difficulties at some point during the weekend. Bearman had a challenging weekend from the start of practice. Isack Hadjar did not even start the race, crashing on the formation lap, and Jack Doohan spun out early in the race. Lawson and Gabriel Bortoleto also went off track as the rain intensified later. Even Antonelli, despite his excellent fourth-place finish, spun at one point. It appeared the rookies were not fully prepared for the conditions.

Verdict: OVERREACTION

This rookie class is, by definition, well-prepared, considering the changes in testing regulations in recent years. Several rookies – Lawson, Bearman, and Doohan – already had F1 race starts, and all have benefited from practice sessions and Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) opportunities after the season. Esteban Ocon noted before the weekend that modern rookies enter F1 with significantly more relevant track time than his generation did a decade ago.

However, the Australian race was unique.

Rain presents different challenges in modern F1, as testing is typically conducted in the Middle East. Wet-weather running is limited or nonexistent until actual race conditions occur. Even Hamilton joked before Sunday`s race about not knowing the location of the wet-weather tire button on his new Ferrari`s steering wheel. Supporting the rookies` performance was the fact that experienced drivers like Sainz, a multiple race winner, and Alonso, a multiple world champion, also crashed in the rain.

Antonelli`s strong performance later in the race, securing a memorable debut result, showcased the exciting potential expected from the 2025 rookie class. This group possesses the talent to recover from a difficult first weekend and perform well throughout the year.