As the Formula 1 season kicks off, all eyes are on McLaren, the team that’s been making waves with its impressive pace, particularly thanks to Lando Norris’s outstanding performance in the pre-season testing. The MCL39 is looking like the car to beat at Albert Park this weekend, and its configuration seems tailor-made for the track. Anything less than pole position and a win for the papaya-colored team would be a major upset, despite the expected tight competition among the top four teams on the grid.
Lando Norris is already feeling the pressure, but he’s not shying away from it. In fact, he’s embracing the team’s privileged position and isn’t hiding his optimism. “I’m thrilled to start the 2025 season in Melbourne, a track that holds a special place in my heart since it’s where I made my McLaren debut back in 2019,” he says. “This circuit has been kind to us in the past, and with a bit of luck, we might be able to keep our momentum from 2024 going this year.” Norris does add a dash of caution, though, acknowledging that they won’t truly know where they stand until qualifying on Saturday.
The young driver is expecting a thrilling season with plenty of tight races, which will undoubtedly make for exciting viewing for fans. “It’s going to be a fantastic season with a lot of competition, and that’s what makes it so exciting,” he says, clearly raring to go. As the runner-up from last year, Norris is one of the drivers to watch, alongside Hamilton, although for different reasons. While Hamilton has the experience and the skills, Norris has the car and the knowledge of what it takes to fight at the top of the championship.
Watch out for Piastri on home turf
Oscar Piastri, on the other hand, has the added motivation of starting the season on home soil. Having already experienced the thrill of winning in F1, as he did in Hungary and Baku last year, Piastri could be a dark horse in the title race, especially with a dominant McLaren. Walking around Melbourne and soaking up the positive energy from the crowd is an experience that always gives him goosebumps. “The support I receive here is phenomenal, and it still feels surreal to have so many fans cheering my name,” he admits, clearly grateful for the adoration of his home crowd.
Piastri is a bit biased, but he believes the atmosphere at Albert Park is always electric, and as the first race of the season, it’s bound to be even more special. “This is the first race I look for when the calendar comes out, and it’s the one that means the most to me,” he says, proud to be an Australian competing in his home city. As for Andrea Stella, the team principal, he’s focusing on thanking the entire team for their hard work before the season kicks off. “We’ve all worked hard during the winter to be ready for what promises to be one of the most closely contested and unpredictable F1 seasons,” he notes.
The Albert Park circuit should offer plenty of opportunities for an exciting opening race to the 75th season of Formula 1. Stella takes a moment to express his gratitude to the team, partners, and sponsors for their continued support as they head into another thrilling season. With the stage set for a gripping season, all eyes will be on McLaren and its talented drivers as they take on the challenge of the Formula 1 World Championship.
