The primary race of the 2025 Method 1 season noticed six new first-time drivers take to the grid. When the checkered flag flew 4 of them — Isack Hadjar, Liam Lawson, Gabriel Bortoleto, and Jack Doohan — had already been knocked out of the race. The fifth, Oliver Bearman, was final on the grid which was nonetheless an accomplishment given the struggles he endured all through the week.
As for the sixth, he was lower than two seconds away from a podium end in his debut.
Mercedes made the decision to exchange Lewis Hamilton with younger phenom Andrea Kimi Antonelli, and the 18-year-old dazzled in his debut, ending fourth in difficult circumstances after beginning in P16. For a second it seemed as if Antonelli could be demoted to fifth on account of a five-second penalty that was assessed for an unsafe launch, however race officers finally rescinded that penalty after Mercedes offered new video proof, reinstating him to P4.
With teammate George Russell ending in entrance of him, it gave Mercedes a robust P3-P4 end to start their season.
“That was an extremely eventful race,” exclaimed Antonelli within the group’s post-race report. “The circumstances have been tremendous tough on the market. We had so many various circumstances that we had to deal with right this moment, however I believe we did job as a group. I used to be proud of how we managed the whole lot from begin to end and to return dwelling P4, having began P16, is de facto optimistic.
“I undoubtedly can’t complain about how my debut race in F1 has gone. It was additionally nice to see George up on the rostrum for the group. While we didn’t have the tempo to problem the McLarens, it’s at all times good to choose up silverware.”
Workforce Principal Toto Wolff praised each drivers after the race.
“Each drivers did an excellent job right this moment in very difficult circumstances. George drove an outstanding and managed race to complete on the rostrum, while Kimi confirmed quite a lot of maturity, along with the velocity we all know he has, to struggle by way of from P16 to P4.
“The group executed the race properly and operationally carried out strongly. We noticed many different drivers fail to make it to the flag, and different groups unable to reap the benefits of the alternatives that offered themselves, so we will be happy with our Sunday,” added Wolff.
Trackside Engineering Director Andrew Shovlin joined in that reward for the group’s younger driver.
“We’re additionally delighted with how Kimi carried out on his debut. He was unlucky in Qualifying yesterday however didn’t let that deter him,” stated Shovlin. “It was an achieved fightback, chopping by way of the sphere within the early levels, after which protecting the automotive on observe when others have been unable to take action because the rain fell. P4 is a superb return for him.”
As for the 18-year-old Antonelli, he’s already trying to apply what he realized in Melbourne to subsequent weekend’s Chinese language Grand Prix.
“The entire weekend has been studying expertise. Being knocked out in Q1 after struggling flooring harm yesterday was clearly disappointing,” stated Antonelli. “To bounce again right this moment although, and expertise a lot in a single race, is de facto good for my improvement as an F1 driver.
“We’ve had a robust first weekend and I’m wanting ahead to constructing on that in China subsequent week.”
