The F1 Season Kicks Off with Lando Norris Winning the Aus Grand Prix

And a heartbreaking lap 44 for Oscar Piastri

Formula One (F1) has made its return in Australia on Sunday as twenty drivers began the 2025 F1 season in Melbourne.

While it was only the first race of the season – so much action unfolded it feels like the season’s already half over.

There were six DNFs.

Because of the rainy weather (thanks Melbourne), it resulted in six DNF's (did not finish).

While the experienced drivers were used to the rainy conditions, it was possibly the worst time for wet weather as it made the drive infinitely harder for the five drivers making their F1 debut on the Albert Park Circuit.

One driver, Isack Hadjar unfortunately crashed out on the formation lap meaning he did not start his F1 debut.

Visibly devastated, he was later comforted by Lewis Hamilton’s father Anthony Hamilton. He told Sky Sports, "When I saw it happen, my heart just sank for him. Not just for him, for his parents, for everything they've done to work hard to get to this one point, and it's like it's snatched from you.”

Altogether six drivers DNF including Hadjar, Australian driver Jack Doohan, Carlos Sainz Jr, Fernando Alonso, Gabriel Bortoleto and Liam Lawson.

Aussie Oscar Piastri was so close, yet so far.

Aussie F1 fans were hopeful that Oscar Piastri would make history as the first Australian to win the Australian GP.

And for a while it looked like that could almost be possible. Oscar was trailing his McLaren teammate Lando Norris in second place for a while.

However both Lando and Oscar went off track and through gravel during a wet portion of the race. While Lando recovered and went on to win, Oscar unfortunately slid into sodden grass.

He was still able to rejoin the race but ended up finishing in ninth.

The final podium.

In the end Lando landed in first, last year’s world champion Max Verstappen finished in second and George Russell from Mercedes finished in third.

Luckily the drivers who didn’t get a chance to finish won’t have to wait long for their next opportunity as the Chinese Grand Prix kicks off from 21 to 23 March.

Header Image: Mark Peterson/Reuters.