Who Dominated the Opening F1 Double-Header?

The 20 drivers starting the season strong in Australia! / Credit: Mclaren Content Pool

The 2025 Formula 1 season has commenced with exhilarating action, setting the stage for a fiercely contested Drivers' Championship. The initial two races, held in Australia and China, have provided insights into the form and prospects of the leading contenders. Notably, McLaren's drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, have showcased exceptional performances, positioning themselves prominently in the championship standings. Meanwhile, seasoned competitors like Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton are navigating challenges as they strive to assert their dominance.​

Australian Grand Prix

The season opener at Melbourne's Albert Park Circuit witnessed McLaren's resurgence. Lando Norris secured pole position, narrowly edging out teammate Oscar

Piastri by 0.084 seconds, resulting in a front-row lockout for the team. In the race, Norris delivered a stellar performance, maintaining composure amidst challenging wet conditions to claim victory. This win not only demonstrated McLaren's competitive edge but also highlighted Norris's capability to capitalize on the car's strengths.​

Piastri's race was eventful; after a strong start and overtaking maneuvers, he faced team orders to hold position behind Norris due to the chaotic conditions. A subsequent spin dropped him to 14th, but he recovered to finish ninth, showcasing resilience and skill.​

Other’s impressed too.

George Russell had a solid weekend at the 2025 Australian Grand Prix, securing a respectable third-place finish. During qualifying, he managed to place his Mercedes P3, behind the dominant McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. While he lacked the outright pace to challenge for pole, his lap was strong enough to place him ahead of Red Bull and Ferrari rivals. 

In the race, Russell maintained his composure in tricky, wet conditions, executing a clean start and managing his tires well. Though unable to challenge the McLarens for victory, he drove consistently, fending off pressure from Max Verstappen and securing his first podium of the season. His performance demonstrated that Mercedes remains competitive, but they still have work to do to match McLaren’s early-season pace.

Chinese Grand Prix

The second race in Shanghai further solidified McLaren's status. Oscar Piastri secured his third career victory, leading a one-two finish for the team, with Norris finishing second despite brake issues. This result marked McLaren's 50th one-two finish in their history.​

The race highlighted McLaren's superior pace, with Piastri and Norris executing flawless drives. Their ability to manage race strategies and adapt to evolving track conditions underscored the team's preparedness and the car's adaptability across different circuits.​

Other’s failed. Ferrari had a disappointing weekend at the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix, struggling to match the pace of McLaren, Red Bull, and Mercedes. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton qualified fourth and sixth, respectively, but both drivers faced race-day challenges. Leclerc suffered from tire degradation issues, limiting his ability to fight for the podium, while Hamilton encountered braking difficulties that hindered his progress.

Ultimately, Ferrari finished outside the top four, highlighting their ongoing struggles with race pace and consistency as they seek to close the gap to the front-runners. On top of that, post race checks saw both drivers being disqualified with Charles’ car classed as underweight and Hamilton’s having too much wear on the skid pads (breaks.)

Championship Standings After Two Races

The Drivers' Championship standings after the first two races are as follows:​

1. Lando Norris (McLaren) - 43 points​

2. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) - 34 points​

3. George Russell (Mercedes) - 27 points​

4. Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) - 25 points​

5. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) - 15 points​

Analyzing the Leading Contenders

Lando Norris

Norris's consistent performances have propelled him to the top of the standings. His victory in Australia and second-place finish in China reflect his maturity and ability to extract maximum performance from the car. As the championship leader, Norris is poised to mount a serious title challenge this season.​

Oscar Piastri

Piastri's maiden pole position and victory in China have established him as a formidable contender. His rapid adaptation to varying track conditions and strategic acumen suggest a bright future. Currently second in the standings, Piastri's momentum could see him challenging for the championship as the season progresses.​

George Russell

Russell's podium finishes in both races demonstrate Mercedes' competitiveness. His consistent performances have kept him within striking distance of the championship leaders. Russell's ability to capitalize on opportunities will be crucial in maintaining his title aspirations.​

Max Verstappen

The defending champion has faced challenges in the opening rounds. A fourth-place finish in China indicates that Red Bull may need to address performance deficits to support Verstappen's campaign run, especially if he wants to hang on to Number 1!