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Chaotic. Messy. Dramatic. Formula 1 is so back, and it started its highly-anticipated 2025 season in Melbourne, Australia, for the first time in six years.
Saturday’s practice session and qualifying saw temperatures well into the eighties, while, in true fickle Melbourne fashion, Sunday’s race was cold, windy, and blanketed with rain. By the 57th lap, we’d seen three safety cars and six DNFs in a shocking race chocked full of pandemonium.
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But that’s the kind of unpredictability and track excitement that makes Melbourne a mainstay on the calendar and a favorite for both fans and drivers. Lewis Hamilton said, “We’ve had it in Bahrain, but this has always been the best first race.”
Melburnians couldn’t argue with the seven-time world champion and newly minted Scuderia Ferrari driver. Over and over throughout the weekend, we heard Australians say a season opener at Albert Park just feels right.
Ananya Chari, CEO of Monash Motorsport, voiced her feelings of pride as a local celebrating the first race of 2025. “I think it’s awesome to see Melbourne, such a multicultural and diverse city, opening the Formula 1 season again,” she said. “I was born and brought up here, so it’s so exciting to see it debut in my hometown, and hopefully, it encourages more equitable races.”
After moving the country’s grand prix from Adelaide Street Circuit to Melbourne in 1996, it has kicked off the season 23 times. As part of the race’s contract extension through 2037, Melbourne will host the opening round at least five times.
The weekend saw record-breaking attendance numbers, totaling over 465,000 people over the four days. “Melbourne’s vibrant culture, iconic circuit and passionate fans make it the perfect place for the Formula 1 season opener,” said Travis Auld, CEO of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation. “The city transforms into the ultimate celebration of world-class motorsport.”
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In the face of extreme weather, the energy remained high all weekend, with repeat racegoers saying it felt livelier than previous years. There were Akubra-clad fans waving Oscar Piastri flags and a sea of papaya in the stands, cheering on the local racer at every turn.
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“For me, it’s a home race, and I’m a race ambassador this year,” said recently announced F1 Academy Hitech Grand Prix driver Aiva Anagnostiadis. “So, it’s really exciting to be out here supporting my fellow Aussie drivers.”
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The city’s iconic establishments like MoVida Spanish restaurant, ST. ALi coffee roasters and Lune Croissanterie, created by former Williams aerodynamicist Kate Reid, were all on offer for fans devouring everything Melbourne. While not in attendance, former Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo’s Enchanté clothing and wine brand pop-up had a seemingly endless line.
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But there was no “shoey” on the podium this year, with Lando Norris narrowly crossing the checkered flag less than one second ahead of rival Max Verstappen. Despite a tumultuous and disappointing race for Australian driver Jack Doohan and hometown hopeful Oscar Piastri, one McLaren supporter said, “In a city that loves racing as much as Melbourne, it’s nice to have it back.”
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