Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton

2025 F1 Australian Grand Prix - Qualifying - As it happened

A recap of what happened in F1 qualifying for the 2025 Australian Grand Prix.

15 Mar 2025
05:07
Piastri makes it a McLaren 1-2

McLaren looking mighty so far with Norris on pole ahead of Piastri.

05:06
Norris lowers the benchmark

A 1m16.003s for Norris, putting him 0.4s ahead of Leclerc. 

05:04
Alonso sets the early pace

A 1m16.546s for Alonso, putting him 0.3s ahead of Hulkenberg.

05:02
Possible issue for Bearman

He reports a problem with his gearbox as he returns to the pit lane. 

05:00
Q1 is underway

The first qualifying session of F1 2025 is underway. 

04:56
We're moments away

The moment we've all been waiting for. The start of qualifying is just a matter of minutes away. 

04:45
Bottas behind the wheel of the 1999 BAR
Bottas on track in the 1999 BAR
Bottas on track in the 1999 BAR
04:38
Previous pole sitters

2017: Lewis Hamilton

2018: Lewis Hamilton 

2019: Lewis Hamilton 

2022: Charles Leclerc

2023: Max Verstappen

2024: Max Verstappen

04:23
The pecking order in Melbourne

As expected, McLaren seem to be the team to beat heading into qualifying. Behind them, is more interesting, though.

After a strong Friday, Ferrari appeared to drop back behind Mercedes and Verstappen's Red Bull. Williams look like strong contenders to make it into Q3.

04:06
Less than an hour to go

The first qualifying of the year kicks off at 5am UK time.

Who are you predicting will take the first pole of the year? Our top three prediction is: Norris, Piastri and Verstappen.

02:33
FP3 results
2025 F1 Australian Grand Prix - Free Practice Results (3)
PosDriverNat.TeamTime
1Oscar PiastriAUSMcLaren F1 Team1m15.921s
2George RussellGBRMercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team1m15.960s
3Max VerstappenNEDOracle Red Bull Racing1m16.002s
4Charles LeclercMONScuderia Ferrari HP1m16.188s
5Kimi AntonelliITAMercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team1m16.206s
6Carlos SainzESPAtlassian Williams Racing1m16.252s
7Alex AlbonTHAAtlassian Williams Racing1m16.258s
8Lewis HamiltonGBRScuderia Ferrari HP1m16.378s
9Yuki TsunodaJPNVisa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Team1m16.455s
10Lando NorrisGBRMcLaren F1 Team1m16.597s
11Gabriel BortoletoBRAStake F1 Team Kick Sauber1m16.707s
12Pierre GaslyFRABWT Alpine F1 Team1m16.719s
13Isack HadjarFRAVisa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Team1m16.732s
14Lance StrollCANAston Martin Aramco F1 Team1m16.948s
15Jack DoohanAUSBWT Alpine F1 Team1m16.993s
16Nico HulkenbergGERStake F1 Team Kick Sauber1m17.146s
17Fernando AlonsoESPAston Martin Aramco F1 Team1m17.270s
18Esteban OconFRAMoneyGram Haas F1 Team1m17.373s
19Oliver BearmanGBRMoneyGram Haas F1 Team 
20Liam LawsonNZLOracle Red Bull Racing 
02:30
Chequered flag

Piastri on top ahead of Russell and Verstappen.

02:27
A late improvement

Russell slots into second, 0.039s off Piastri's top time. Leclerc goes fourth, just ahead of Antonelli.

02:22
Piastri lowers the benchmark

A 1m15.921s for Piastri to pip Verstappen to top spot. 

Hamilton improves but it's only good enough for eighth. 

02:21
Good lap from Antonelli

He goes fourth in the Mercedes, within a tenth of Russell. Solid effort. 

02:20
Into the final 10 minutes

Verstappen, Piastri, Russell, Sainz, Albon, Leclerc, Norris, Hamilton, Bortoleto and Hadjar.

02:16
Piastri gets close

Piastri moves to within a tenth of Verstappen at the top of the timesheets.

02:15
Tidy lap from Verstappen

On a fresh set of tyres, he lowers the benchmark to a 1m16.002s to go 0.4s clear. 

02:13
Good lap from Albon

He slots into second in the Williams, just a tenth shy of Russell.

02:09
20 minutes on the clock

Russell, Norris, Verstappen, Leclerc, Hamilton, Albon, Sainz, Antonelli, Piastri and Tsunoda is the current top 10.

02:08
Great lap from Russell

He sets a 1m16.402s to go top of the order, 0.2s ahead of Verstappen.

02:07
Ferrari
02:04
Good lap from Leclerc

He's moved to within a tenth of Verstappen at the top. 

02:02
Albon into second

Albon is one of the drivers running on the hards and has just gone second, 0.155s off the pace.

02:00
30 minutes on the clock

Verstappen, Antonelli, Piastri, Leclerc, Norris, Russell, Hamilton, Bortoleto, Doohan and Alonso.

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