Max finishes P5 in first free practice in Melbourne

Published on 14 March 2025 by Misha van der Kroon

Four-time World Champion Max Verstappen wrapped up the first free practice session for the Australian Grand Prix in fifth place. On the 5.278-meter-long Albert Park Circuit, it was Lando Norris who set the fastest time in his McLaren, ahead of Carlos Sainz in the Williams. Charles Leclerc secured third place in his Ferrari, followed by Oscar Piastri’s McLaren in P4. Max’s teammate at Oracle Red Bull Racing, Liam Lawson, finished the session in P16.

Five new drivers are set to make their full-season debuts in Formula 1 in 2025: Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), Jack Doohan (Alpine), Oliver Bearman (Haas), Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls), and Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber).

When the lights at the end of the pit lane turn green, conditions are warm in Melbourne, with air temperatures at 24°C and track temperatures reaching 40°C. Nico Hulkenberg is the first driver to hit the track, marking the first official laps of the new season. It quickly gets busy on track as a queue of cars exits the pit lane.

Max wastes no time and heads straight out. Early on, the Dutchman clocks the fastest time on a set of medium tyres. Seven minutes in, Liam Lawson reports over the radio that he has brushed the wall. The New Zealander carefully makes his way back to the pits for a check-up on his Red Bull.

Lap times drop rapidly, and after ten minutes, Norris tops the timesheets, with Max in P9. The lead keeps changing hands, and after fifteen minutes, the top three consists of Leclerc, Norris, and Max, who then all return to the pits.

Nineteen minutes into the session, the first red flag of the season is waved. The reason is gravel on track in turn six, which needs to be cleared. A sweeping vehicle is deployed, and after a brief delay, the track is cleared with 35 minutes left on the clock.

Max switches to soft tyres and gets back on track. He is P5 at this stage, just under half a second behind leader Leclerc. But Verstappen quickly turns that deficit into a lead, jumping to P1. George Russell follows close behind in P2. Meanwhile, Sainz moves up to fourth on soft tyres, just two-tenths behind Max and Russell.

After another fast lap, Sainz takes over P1 in his Williams, just before the session sees its second red flag. Oliver Bearman crashes heavily after losing control between turns nine and ten. The young Brit runs off at high speed, goes through the gravel, and loses control upon rejoining the track, slamming into the wall and heavily damaging his Haas.

With eleven minutes remaining, the track is cleared, and several drivers head out on soft tyres. Sainz’s fastest time doesn’t hold until the end, as Norris goes quicker with just a few minutes to go.

Russell has a slight moment in turn four but continues without damage, bringing the first free practice session of 2025 to a close.

Contest GP Australia: win a by Max Verstappen signed Red Bull Racing 2025 cap!

Results first free practice Australia: