Official 2025 Australian Grand Prix Thread ***SPOILERS***

[Piginapoke]

Hi all, and welcome to what should be a cracking F1 season, before the new engine and chassis regulations come in next year and stretch it all out again.

Bahrain testing suggests that McLaren has a small advantage in race pace (the team has done some really interesting things with its front suspension) but it was very cold and in truth it’s hard to take too much from this year's pre-season testing.

With so many new driver/team combinations, Australia qualifying will be one to watch. Can Hamilton deal with Leclerc’s pace (I think he will struggle), can Antonelli compete with Russell? (I think yes). How long will Doohan last? So many stories to watch unfold.

My prediction is Piastri for the win but as always please vote!

Here’s to a great race.

***Note Channel 4 has changed its Qualifying coverage- now 10.30am Saturday***

Date(s): Friday 14 March to Sunday 16 March 2024.

UK Broadcast Timings (and track time)

All sessions are live on Sky F1. Channel 4 is showing highlights of Qualifying and the Race.





2024 Highlights:

https://youtu.be/9z8sEadieXA?si=1XJB-fqNpc_Xgyiu

Tyres:

Soft compounds C3-C5



2024 Result: (Ferrari 1-2 after Max’s brake fire)

Edited by Piginapoke on Thursday 6th March 16:14

Edited by Piginapoke on Tuesday 11th March 06:04

Edited by Piginapoke on Tuesday 11th March 06:18

[EmailAddress]

OMG, This is not a drill. We're back baby.

[Arrivalist]

Thanks PiaP for getting up and running so quickly.

I’m going for a Lewis win for no other reason than I’m feeling hugely sentimental

I’m hoping for a close, clean race with no controversy from anywhere.

[PRO5T]

Personally, I think McLaren have a huge advantage and we’ll see something like red bulls early 2024 advantage with them before either the rest catch up or the new flexi wing rules peg them back.

If McLaren do have such an advantage (an ability to walk away from the pack to a 20 second plus advantage over a race distance) keep an eye on who’s there every weekend bagging strong points.

We can hopefully then start to have a competitive championship from Europe onwards.

This could be Norris’ big chance for the championship. I’ve always thought he lacked the killer instinct and he wasn’t a natural leader but championship chances have a habit of making or breaking drivers. In 2025 with that McLaren will we finally find out?

[Piginapoke]

EmailAddress said:

OMG, This is not a drill. We're back baby.

I know!! Thank God!

[EmailAddress]

Arrivalist said:

I’m hoping for a close, clean race with no controversy from anywhere.

With all the newbies I think we'll fairly rapidly find out who's going to be investing in Carbon Fibre calls.

[Arrivalist]

EmailAddress said:

Arrivalist said:

I’m hoping for a close, clean race with no controversy from anywhere.

With all the newbies I think we'll fairly rapidly find out who's going to be investing in Carbon Fibre calls.

Hope springs eternal

[Jasandjules]

I am hoping Lewis will be on the front row and really, really hoping that there was some sandbagging in Testing, because otherwise it may be the McLaren will run off into the distance this season... It looks potentially tight as hell between Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes though..

[KobayashiMaru86]

I'm a Mclaren fan but I'm cautiously optimistic. I know the others say they have a big advantage but testing is testing and the mind games have started already. We don't know who is sandbagging and for all we know, Ferrari could win the first one. I'm hoping Norris does have a strong enough start to stay ahead all year. Piastri will be close all year too.

[Supersam83]

God, it seems like ages since we saw them racing!

Also, it feels right having the first race back in Melbourne, Australia, waking up at stupid o'clock just for sentimental reasons.

I've gone for Leclerc to win the race.

Ferrari always start the season well and Leclerc will have the edge on Hamilton due to how long he has been at Ferrari.


Also, the first lap in Melbourne always seems to be memorable for the crashes:

https://youtu.be/8_OlF6zcdpU?si=eeDSbhf1ymXJ2NV_

[PhilAsia]

Great to see the Iconic Thread back again PiaP!!

I am hoping for an extremely closely fought, clean season. That is all...

[Scrump]

Thanks for the thread PiaP.

I am really looking forward to this year’s racing, it looks like it could be a season with a number of different teams and drivers battling for the win.

[Byker28i]

EmailAddress said:

Arrivalist said:

I’m hoping for a close, clean race with no controversy from anywhere.

With all the newbies I think we'll fairly rapidly find out who's going to be investing in Carbon Fibre calls.

Well, gone is Colapinto, five front wings and noses, six front suspensions, three floors and a chassis and Sergeant who he replaced
Albon is still there, who broke seven front wings and noses as well as eight front and rear suspensions and had to be given his team mates car last year

Perez has gone...

[Byker28i]

Arrivalist said:

Thanks PiaP for getting up and running so quickly.

I’m going for a Lewis win for no other reason than I’m feeling hugely sentimental

I’m hoping for a close, clean race with no controversy from anywhere.

Same, although Red Bull sandbagging/cheating, plus McLaren looking good but making silly mistakes?

[garythesign]

Thanks for starting this thread PiaP

After the long wait it seems the season is about to start.

It looks like it will be a cracker

[BrettMRC]

Thanks as always to the Rt Hon PIAP for the thread!

I have a feeling McLaren will dominate, but how Norris and Piastri interact is going to set the tone for the season IMO.

Close fight between Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull for third.

Sainz to bring the Williams home in 8th.

[Derek Smith]

KobayashiMaru86 said:

I'm a Mclaren fan but I'm cautiously optimistic. I know the others say they have a big advantage but testing is testing and the mind games have started already. We don't know who is sandbagging and for all we know, Ferrari could win the first one. I'm hoping Norris does have a strong enough start to stay ahead all year. Piastri will be close all year too.

I love the 'I'm a McLaren fan but I'm cautiously optimistic. A phrase that resonates with all us McL fans.

I am suspicious about the testing times (that the times of F1 testing, not the years of being a McL supporter). I can't see Red Bull being midfield. It'll be up at the front despite the self-deprecating nonsense they've been spouting.

The question for us McLers is which driver will be in the ascendent. I mean, let's keep it real.

Thanks, yet again, for yet another season, to PiaP. We all are deeply grateful, and an especial thank-you for posting so early.

[Crudeoink]

I went for Piastri to win purely of a hunch! I'd love to see Sainz doing well and scoring a couple of points!

[Arrivalist]

Derek Smith said:

KobayashiMaru86 said:

I'm a Mclaren fan but I'm cautiously optimistic. I know the others say they have a big advantage but testing is testing and the mind games have started already. We don't know who is sandbagging and for all we know, Ferrari could win the first one. I'm hoping Norris does have a strong enough start to stay ahead all year. Piastri will be close all year too.

I love the 'I'm a McLaren fan but I'm cautiously optimistic. A phrase that resonates with all us McL fans.

Indeed it does.

I want Lewis to win and I want him to get his 8th WDC but as a team supporter, it’s always been McLaren and Williams for me for historic personal and sentimental reasons.

[MrBig]

Looking forward to this. I'm going for Piastri in a slippery McLaren with the fresh season and the home crowd cheering him on. Probably from P2 on the grid slipping past Lando in the first few corners and heading up a decent battle between the Prancing Horses and the leading RedBull.