As starts to the season go, it was a horror opening for British teenager Ollie Bearman as he made his full-time debut in Formula One, while Lewis Hamilton trailed his teammate Charles Leclerc on an eventful first day of the 2025 season.
Driving for American-owned team Haas this year after his stunning Ferrari debut a year ago, 19-year-old Bearman crashed out of opening practice at the Australian Grand Prix on Friday after losing control while negotiating gravel on the outside of turn 10.
The car then spun violently, ripping off a tyre as it slammed into the narrow walls of the Albert Park street circuit. Bearman was unharmed in the crash, before saying over radio: “I am sorry.”
Yet the damage done to the car – including a costly power unit and engine change – meant the Chelmsford native could not take part in the second practice session, putting him firmly on the back foot heading into qualifying on Saturday.
Sky Sports pundit Martin Brundle commented: “It was probably a bit too gung-ho. It will have knocked some of his confidence.”
At the front, it looks nip and tuck between last year’s top two. McLaren’s Lando Norris was quickest in first practice while Charles Leclerc pipped Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri in the second hour.
Lewis Hamilton, a day after he voiced his joy at the start of his Ferrari journey, trailed his teammate Leclerc by four-tenths in the second session, finishing fifth on the leaderboard in between both Racing Bull drivers, after a very positive first outing of the year for Red Bull’s sister team.
Norris, who was runner-up to four-time world champion Max Verstappen last year, is the bookies’ favourite in 2025, with his team looking to be quickest early on. However, the Bristolian insisted there was room for improvement after a “so-so” day.
“We’ve got a good baseline,” he said. “I’m not confident with the car in terms of the right balance, particularly on low fuel. It was similar to Bahrain, a bit of a struggle. But I think we’ll be strong.”
AUSTRALIAN GP SECOND PRACTICE - TOP-10
1. Charles Leclerc - 1:16:439
2. Oscar Piastri +0.124 secs
3. Lando Norris +0.141
4. Yuki Tsunoda +0.345
5. Lewis Hamilton +0.420
6. Isack Hadjar +0.580
7. Max Verstappen +0.624
8. Nico Hulkenberg +0.722
9. Lance Stroll +0.840
10. George Russell +0.843
As for Hamilton, with father Anthony and award-winning singer Raye watching on in the Ferrari garage, his first grand prix session outing in Scuderia red was solid. No more, no less.
The 40-year-old was only 12th-fastest under the baking Melbourne sun earlier in the day and complained over team radio about issues turning the SF-25 car.
The early indications are he may well struggle to match the one-lap pace of his rapid teammate Leclerc, particularly early on in the campaign as he continues to bed into his new team and surroundings. Afterwards, however, he was upbeat.
“It felt amazing to get out there in a Ferrari, honestly the car felt so different to what I’ve experienced coming to this track,” said Hamilton, a two-time winner in Melbourne.
“We’re slowly building and getting faster bit by bit. The car doesn’t feel bad, it just requires a different way of driving.”
Reigning world champion Verstappen, meanwhile, appeared to be in no man’s land at the start of his quest for five in a row.
Beaten by both Red Bull drivers in FP2, the Dutchman was only seventh fastest and was understandably gloomy in the media pen straight after.
“We will have to find more speed,” he said. “Because now we have not got enough to compete at the front."
While the pecking order up front looks relatable, the weather could throw a spanner in the works. While scorching temperatures of 35C are anticipated for qualifying on Saturday, there is a 70 per cent chance of rain for the race on Sunday (4am GMT). Conditions Verstappen and Hamilton thrive in, as shown in Brazil and Silverstone respectively last year.
The last time Australia had a wet race was back in 2010, won by Jenson Button. Can a Brit follow in his footsteps on Sunday? We’ll soon find out.
Ollie Bearman: ‘You only get one shot in F1 – my ultimate goal is to be a world champion’
Lando Norris dismisses ‘short-sighted’ F1 teams who have McLaren as clear favourites
Australian Grand Prix prediction: Norris and Verstappen to ignite championship battle
F1 Australian GP LIVE: Practice results as Hamilton makes major qualifying admission
Lewis Hamilton ready ‘to perform and perform soon’ – Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur
