Kate On Wheels

‘IT’S LIGHTS OUT AND AWAY WE GO’ on a new Formula 1 season!

The first Grand Prix of the 2025 season took place in Melbourne, Australia last Sunday, 16^th March 2025. It was an action-packed race, with intermittent rain causing chaos even before lights out.

Hamilton comforts Hadjar

The slippery conditions saw debutant Isack Hadjar spin on the formation lap, breaking his rear wing and delaying the race start. A visibly upset Hadjar was comforted in the paddock by Lewis Hamilton’s father, Anthony. The Racing Bulls driver later revealed that Hamilton senior had comforted him and told him “Keep your head high”.

The French driver will be keen to move on, especially after Red Bull adviser Helmut Marco called Hadjar’s reaction ‘embarrassing’. The pair have since spoken and Hadjar says ‘It’s all good’.

Doohan and Sainz spin out

Fellow rookie Jack Doohan made a similar mistake on the first race lap, bringing out the safety car. Carlos Sainz then made an uncharacteristic error under safety car conditions, ending his race in the wall at the final corner of lap 2.

The race saw six retirements altogether, four of them rookies, plus Alonso and Sainz. The surviving two rookies were Ollie Bearman, who finished out of the points in 14^th, and Kimi Antonelli.

Antonelli’s composed performance

Antonelli showed maturity beyond his years, remaining calm and collected, converting P16 on the grid to a 4^th place finish. Making up 12 places to finish behind his Mercedes teammate will have impressed many – there should be plenty of attention on this young Italian going forward.

Facts and Figures:

Podium:                    1^st Norris (Mclaren), 2^nd Verstappen (Red Bull), 3^rd Russell (Mercedes)

Retirements:             6 (Hadjar (Racing Bulls); Doohan (Alpine); Sainz (Williams); Alonso (Aston Martin); Bortoleto (Sauber); and Lawson (Red Bull).

Virtual safety cars:   0

Full safety cars:        3

Fastest lap:               Norris 1.22.167

Next race: China – Shanghai International Circuit. Sprint race 22^nd March, Grand Prix 23^rd March.

Next Post: Norris breaks Verstappen’s record run