Australian Grand Prix 2025 – Qualifying Recap: McLaren’s statement, Ferrari’s struggles, and a tight midfield battle

The 2025 Formula 1 season roared into life at Albert Park, Melbourne, delivering an electrifying qualifying session filled with unexpected twists, dominant performances, and intense intra-team battles. With McLaren locking out the front row, Ferrari struggling for pace, and a tight midfield scrap promising an unpredictable race, the Australian Grand Prix is shaping up to be a thrilling opener. But the looming threat of rain on race day adds yet another layer of unpredictability to the mix.

McLaren Stamps Authority -- Norris on Pole, Piastri Close Behind

Lando Norris delivered a sensational lap to secure the first pole position of the season, setting a blistering time of 1:15.096---eight tenths quicker than last year's pole time. His lap was a masterclass in precision and commitment, with Norris extracting every ounce of performance from his McLaren. The team's front-row lockout was completed by Oscar Piastri, who missed out on pole by just 0.084s, but still marked a fantastic start to the season for the Woking-based outfit.

Piastri's performance was particularly significant, as he aims to establish himself as a genuine championship contender and prove he is not merely a supporting act to Norris. The young Australian was met with thunderous applause from the home crowd, becoming the first Australian driver since Mark Webber in 2013 to start on the front row in Melbourne. This McLaren duo now heads into the race knowing they have the strongest package---but with Verstappen and Russell lurking behind, and potential rain on the way, keeping this advantage will be no easy feat.

👉 Norris on his pole lap: "That was an amazing lap. The car felt hooked up from the start of Q1, and we just kept finding more time. To start the season like this is a dream, but the race is where it really matters, and we know the weather could change everything." (Formula1.com)

Red Bull's Surprising Comeback -- Verstappen Still in the Fight

Given Red Bull's uncharacteristically difficult practice sessions, many expected Max Verstappen to be off the pace in qualifying. However, the three-time World Champion dug deep, extracting a strong lap to secure third place, just 0.575s off Norris. While he may not have been able to challenge for pole, Verstappen's long-run pace in practice suggests he could be a major threat in the race, particularly with rain in the forecast.

Verstappen admitted he was surprised by how much Red Bull had improved overnight, following significant setup changes. The RB21 had looked nervous and unstable on Friday, but by Saturday, the car seemed more planted. However, Verstappen still acknowledged that McLaren had the upper hand in pure qualifying pace.

👉 Verstappen on his Red Bull's improvement: "I didn't expect us to be this close to pole after yesterday. The car was really tricky to drive in FP3, but we found something in qualifying. Still, McLaren looks very strong, and we need to see how the race plays out." (Reuters)

Mercedes and Ferrari: Mixed Fortunes for F1's Heavyweights

At Mercedes, George Russell delivered a solid lap to qualify fourth, just 0.065s behind Verstappen, showing that the Silver Arrows are still within striking distance of the front. However, it was a tougher session for rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who was eliminated in Q1 due to floor damage, leaving him starting in P16. The Italian showed promise early in the session, but a mistake in his final run cost him a shot at Q2.

Ferrari, on the other hand, had a frustrating session. Charles Leclerc, who had looked strong in FP1 and FP2, struggled with oversteer issues and failed to improve on his final lap, ultimately qualifying in seventh place. Lewis Hamilton, making his highly anticipated Ferrari debut, could only manage P8, with both Ferraris losing significant time in Sector 3. Hamilton admitted post-session that he's still adapting to the car, particularly when it comes to the braking system and rear-end stability.

👉 Hamilton on his Ferrari struggles: "I'm still figuring out the car. There are a lot of differences in how Ferrari operates compared to what I was used to. The braking system is very different from what I had at Mercedes, and I'm still adjusting to the rear-end feel." (TalkSport)

Tight Midfield Battle -- Tsunoda and Albon Shine

The midfield battle was as competitive as ever, with Yuki Tsunoda delivering a stunning lap to put his Racing Bulls car in P5---a fantastic achievement considering the team's struggles last season. Alexander Albon was another standout performer, qualifying in sixth for Williams, once again proving that the Grove-based team has taken a step forward.

One of the biggest surprises was Carlos Sainz, who made the controversial decision to leave Ferrari for Williams this season. While some questioned his move, both Williams cars making the top ten justified his confidence in the team's development path.

👉 Sainz on his Williams' performance: "I knew this team had potential, and we've already shown we can fight at the front of the midfield. If we can bring this pace to the race, we could score big points." (Reuters)

Difficult Day for Rookies -- Antonelli, Lawson, and Bearman Struggle

It was a tough qualifying for F1's newest faces. Liam Lawson, replacing Sergio Perez at Red Bull, missed FP3 due to a power unit issue and ended up 18th in qualifying, struggling to find rhythm. Andrea Kimi Antonelli, as mentioned earlier, was eliminated in P16, while Oliver Bearman's nightmare weekend continued. The Haas driver suffered a gearbox failure in Q1, preventing him from setting a time, meaning he will start at the back of the grid.

👉 Bearman on his unfortunate session: "It's been a weekend to forget so far. The team is working hard to fix things, but missing FP2 and now this issue in qualifying puts us on the back foot." (The Sun)

Looking Ahead: Race Day Chaos Incoming?

With the threat of rain looming over Sunday's race, the pecking order could be turned on its head. Max Verstappen is widely regarded as one of the best wet-weather drivers, which could play into his hands if conditions worsen. However, Norris and Piastri have looked incredibly comfortable, and if McLaren can maintain their pace advantage, they could convert their front-row lockout into a dominant victory.

Final Grid -- Top 10

Lando Norris (McLaren)
Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
George Russell (Mercedes)
Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls)
Alexander Albon (Williams)
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
Carlos Sainz (Williams)

Will McLaren convert their dominance into a 1-2 finish? Or will Verstappen and the unpredictable weather shake up the order? Stay tuned!