The first of the 24 races in the 2025 F1 World Championship takes place in Australia this weekend with fans across the globe looking forward to a great fight for the title.
World champion Max Verstappen is looking to become the first driver since Michael Schumacher to win five consecutive titles this season but he is not favourite to win the championship this time, with bookmakers preferring the chances of last season's runner-up, Lando Norris.
The British driver helped McLaren to win the Constructors’ Championship last season, but would love to claim the individual title for the first time this year.
Different drivers have won the last five races at Albert Park in Melbourne, with Carlos Sainz Jr. taking victory for Ferrari last season. The Australian race returns to its traditional slot at the start of the season this year, replacing Bahrain as the host of round one.
- LANDO NORRIS TO WIN
- GEORGE RUSSELL EACH-WAY
- CARLOS SAINZ TOP-SIX FINISH
Norris Can Shine In Season Opener
A slow start to last season cost McLaren the chance to win both championships last season, and while their excellent mid-year upgrades proved enough for them to claim their first team title since 1998, their search for a first drivers title since Lewis Hamilton in 2008 goes on.
McLaren didn't have their act together in time at the start of last season and their slow start enabled Verstappen to plunder seven wins in the first 10 races of the year, establishing an advantage they could never claw back.
Even so, the papaya-coloured cars were the quickest on the grid at most tracks in the second half of the season and pre-season testing suggests they should have an early edge on their rivals this season.
Norris had not won a race at the start of last season and while four wins was well short of what he could have achieved in 2024, he is now an established contender at the front of the grid and knows what it takes to get the job done.
Consistency will be the key to Norris being able to secure his first title but he has achieved better results in Melbourne than might have been expected in previous visits and should be able to bring home a win in the opener if the car proves as good as expected.
Verstappen can't be ruled out and he won at Albert Park in 2023 before an early retirement due to brake issues after taking pole in last season's race.
Ferrari will also hope to be in the mix after their one-two finish in last year's race but McLaren looked the team to beat in testing.
LANDO NORRIS TO WIN
Russell And Mercedes Can Make A Positive Start
George Russell's second win last season came on the street circuit at Las Vegas and the Mercedes driver can go well around the temporary track at Albert Park.
Russell will want to show he's the dominant driver at the team after Lewis Hamilton's departure and goes well at this type of venue. He finished on the podium in Australia in 2022 and qualified alongside Verstappen on the front row there the following year before suffering engine trouble in the race.
Last season, Mercedes were off the pace but Russell qualified four places ahead of Hamilton in seventh and was in sixth when crashing out late in the race.
With the Silver Arrows having improved to win four of the last 14 races last season, they should be challenging for podium finishes at least and Russell looks well placed to deliver.
GEORGE RUSSELL EACH-WAY
Sainz Could Impress On Williams Debut
Carlos Sainz has plenty of experience of moving around the F1 paddock having driven for Toro Rosso, Renault, McLaren and Ferrari already in his 11-year career at the top level.
He was forced to move on again despite finishing fifth in the world championship last season and winning two races, including the Australian event, in order for the team to sign seven-time champion Hamilton.
Sainz raised a few eyebrows when choosing to sign for Williams, who finished only ninth last season, but they appear to be a team on the rise and Sainz could even surprise with a top-six finish in the opener at generous odds.
The Spaniard and team-mate Alex Albon showed up well in pre-season testing, suggesting they can at least be in the midfield scrap rather than at the back and Sainz often impresses at street circuits, with his sole 2023 victory coming in Singapore.
CARLOS SAINZ TOP-SIX FINISH
