Lando Norris clocks the fastest in 2025 Australian Grand Prix FP1; Carlos Sainz stuns with P2

McLaren, as predicted, came the fastest during the first Free practice session of the 2025 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. The British driver Lando Norris was so comfortable with his McLaren car that he clocked the fastest lap time of this year's first free practice session. But the real surprise was Williams driver Carlos Sainz, who came second ahead of his old teammate Charles Leclerc, Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen. The Spanish driver was on song at the FP1 as he was the fastest man for most of the time until a late charge from Norris pushed him to P2.

Williams driver Alex Albon was the sixth fastest ahead of Mercedes driver George Russell, Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, RB Bulls driver Isack Hadjar, Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and VCARB driver Yuki Tsunoda. The most expected Lewis Hamilton didn’t put a smile on our faces as he suffered a lockup during the session and could only manage with P12. Alpine’s Jack Doohan came 13th fastest ahead of his teammate Pierre Gasly, who finished P17. Kimi Antonelli, the youngest driver on the grid, was 14th ahead of last year's F2 champion, Kick Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto, and Red Bull’s Liam Lawson.  

Sauber driver Nico Hulkenberg, Haas F1 team’s Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman finished in the last three places. Haas driver Bearman had a huge crash and emerged unhurt, we hope we will see him again in Free pracice 2. Most drivers used Soft tyres for practice sessions, which were the fastest on the grid. But few drivers like Carlos Sainz, Max verstappen, and George Russell used Medium tyres and did a great job finishing at the front.

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Check 2025 Australian GP Free Practice 1 results