McLaren Continues Momentum From Pre Season Testing After Day 1 In Australia

March 14, 2025Ramon Jones
Formula 1

McLaren emerged as the dominant constructor on day one in Melbourne as the Formula 1 season kicks off with its opening round. Early estimates put the McLarens at the front based on qualifying simulations. Ferrari is currently showing second fastest average laps while Mercedes and Red Bull are in a closer battle for third. Granted these simulations are based on the teams running simulation programs in practice and don’t represent actual race data but its clear McLaren are the leaders. In addition to the early estimates by F1.com McLaren also led the field in the sped trap suggesting they have the best straight line speed in addition to overall pace.

“A decent first day back in the car,” said Lando Norris. “Good feelings, all in all. We’re struggling a lot with the balance, so we need to make a few changes to get it into a better place, but a good start to the weekend for us as a team. A good baseline, but a lot to improve on.” 

Oscar Piastri also commented on the day, “It was a productive first day back for us, and it was pretty encouraging. We’ve still got some things to work on, but the pace was there. We’ve tried a few different things and gathered some good information, the car feels different to last year but that’s pretty normal. I am excited to see what we can do tomorrow – it’s been a pretty positive first day.”

Data Provided by F1.com
Data Provided by F1.com

WIlliams Surprises With Early Pace

Despite striggles to return to its former glory in Formula 1. WIlliam’s Racing has shown some signs of promise thus far this year. With a new driver line up Williams is determined to get Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz moving on the quest to obtain points this weekend.

FP2 Results

DriverCarTimeGapLaps
116 LeclercFerrari1:16.43932
281 PiastriMcLaren Mercedes1:16.563+0.124s30
34 NorrisMcLaren Mercedes1:16.580+0.141s30
422 TsunodaRacing Bulls Honda RBPT1:16.784+0.345s29
544 HamiltonFerrari1:16.859+0.420s31
66 HadjarRacing Bulls Honda RBPT1:17.019+0.580s30
71 VerstappenRed Bull Racing Honda RBPT1:17.063+0.624s22
827 HulkenbergKick Sauber Ferrari1:17.161+0.722s24
918 StrollAston Martin Aramco Mercedes1:17.279+0.840s28
1063 RussellMercedes1:17.282+0.843s30
1155 SainzWilliams Mercedes1:17.302+0.863s30
1223 AlbonWilliams Mercedes1:17.302+0.863s28
1314 AlonsoAston Martin Aramco Mercedes1:17.330+0.891s27
147 DoohanAlpine Renault1:17.394+0.955s30
1510 GaslyAlpine Renault1:17.493+1.054s30
1612 AntonelliMercedes1:17.634+1.195s31
1730 LawsonRed Bull Racing Honda RBPT1:17.640+1.201s30
185 BortoletoKick Sauber Ferrari1:17.847+1.408s29
1931 OconHaas Ferrari1:18.034+1.595s31
*Oliver Bearman did not set a lap time due to his crash in FP1

FP1 Results

PosNoDriverCarTimeGapLaps
14 NorrisMcLaren Mercedes1:17.25221
255 SainzWilliams Mercedes1:17.401+0.149s25
316 LeclercFerrari1:17.461+0.209s21
481 PiastriMcLaren Mercedes1:17.670+0.418s20
51 VerstappenRed Bull Racing Honda RBPT1:17.696+0.444s21
623 AlbonWilliams Mercedes1:17.713+0.461s18
763 RussellMercedes1:17.716+0.464s26
814 AlonsoAston Martin Aramco Mercedes1:17.736+0.484s23
96 HadjarRacing Bulls Honda RBPT1:17.847+0.595s25
1018 StrollAston Martin Aramco Mercedes1:18.057+0.805s20
1122 TsunodaRacing Bulls Honda RBPT1:18.061+0.809s23
1244 HamiltonFerrari1:18.071+0.819s20
137 DoohanAlpine Renault1:18.232+0.980s20
1412 AntonelliMercedes1:18.390+1.138s25
155 BortoletoKick Sauber Ferrari1:18.438+1.186s22
1630 LawsonRed Bull Racing Honda RBPT1:18.455+1.203s22
1710 GaslyAlpine Renault1:18.505+1.253s23
1827 HulkenbergKick Sauber Ferrari1:18.586+1.334s18
1931 OconHaas Ferrari1:19.139+1.887s16
2087 BearmanHaas Ferrari1:19.312+2.060s12