F1 Australian Grand Prix 2025 Qualifying Review: Lando Norris kicks off 2025 with the first pole of the year

Norris leads a McLaren 1-2

McLaren’s Lando Norris might have missed out on a maiden title last year after being in pole position to take it home, but the British driver is making sure to start on the right foot this time around and head towards that title. Norris kicked off the Formula One 2025 by capturing a stunning pole position at the season opener in Australia, holding off his teammate Oscar Piastri to give McLaren a 1-2 as the British team look to defend their Constructors’ championship.

The first qualifying sessions saw new driver pairings and a host of rookie drivers getting things going and here’s a quick recap of the Australian Grand Prix 2025 qualifying.

Also Read – Australian Grand Prix Preview and Predictions

Q1 – Bearman’s weekend gets from bad to worse

Haas’ Ollie Bearman, who suffered two heavy crashes in FP1 and FP3, was the first driver knocked out as an early gearbox issue for the young Ferrari Academy driver meant that his qualifying ended early under the dark skies at Melbourne.

Norris set the benchmark time up top with a 1:16s clearing Verstappen and Charles Leclerc. As the cars got going on their final laps, Verstappen’s new partner, Liam Lawson put himself in a spot of bother, going extremely wide onto the grass, which hampered his chances of qualifying. Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, who was struggling throughout the session put in a strong final lap to move into Q2 with rookie Kimi Antonelli, Nico Hülkenberg, Lawson, Esteban Ocon and Bearman missing out. Jack Doohan meanwhile, also put in a stellar final lap to move to P10 and make Q2 on his Formula One debut while Gabriel Bortoleto in his final lap sent the rookie Mercedes driver, Antonelli home.

Drivers eliminated in Q1

Kimi Antonelli
Nico Hülkenberg
Liam Lawson
Esteban Ocon
Ollie Bearman

Q2 – Hamilton scrapes through, Aston Martin struggles

Max Verstappen set the time to beat for the rest of the grid in Q2 as the reigning World Champion laid down the law early on before the McLaren drivers exchanged places at the top. Veteran driver Fernando Alonso also had a moment early on, going wide into the gravel. 

As the session got to its final stages, Norris remained on top with 1:15.41s while Hamilton in P6 had a big moment in his final lap, but strong initial flying laps meant the new Ferrari man was safe despite his spin bringing out a short yellow flag. Those who weren’t safe though were the two Aston Martins, who didn’t have a strong outing.

Hamilton’s incident which brought the yellow flag went on the effect Jack Doohan while Yuki Tsunoda’s new teammate at VCARB, Isack Hadjar missed out Q3 by 0.063s. Both Astons, Doohan and the only remaining Sauber of Bortoleto failed to make the final 10 as well.

Drivers eliminated in Q2

Isack Hadjar
Fernando Alonso
Lance Stroll
Jack Doohan
Gabriel Bortoleto

Q3 – McLaren fight at the top, Verstappen surprises as Ferrari goes missing

After not having the strongest of first two sessions, Ferrari looked to be in the mix as Charles Leclerc set the initial benchmark time, taking provision pole but Verstappen quickly dislodged him with a 1:15.67s with George Russell also having dislodged Leclerc just before that. Norris had his opening time deleted due to track limit violations while Piastri and Albon were close behind the top runners as well. 

While exceeding track limits deleted his first run’s time, Norris had his task cut out for the final run and   the McLaren driver had to dampen the Australian crowd’s mood who were looking forward to the other McLaren of Piastri on top, as the Australian initially took provisional pole before Norris went 0.084s quicker to steal pole position while Verstappen’s final run made sure he made the second row. 

Starting Grid for the Australian Grand Prix 2025 (before any penalties)

1. Lando Norris
2. Oscar Piastri
3. Max Verstappen
4. George Russell
5. Yuki Tsunoda
6. Alex Albon
7. Charles Leclerc
8. Lewis Hamilton 
9. Pierre Gasly
10. Carlos Sainz
11. Isack Hadjar
12. Fernando Alonso
13. Lance Stroll
14. Jack Doohan
15. Gabriel Bortoleto
16. Kimi Antonelli
17. Nico Hülkenberg
18. Liam Lawson
19. Esteban Ocon
20. Ollie Bearman