Australia
WHAT THE TEAMS SAID
RACE REACTIONS FROM THE FORMULA 1 LOUIS VUITTON AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2025
McLaren
Lando Norris
“It’s an incredible start to the year and the team have given me an amazing car from the get-go. Whilst it was a tough race due to the unpredictable conditions and the pressure from Oscar and Max, I felt comfortable and confident out there in the package the team have given us.
“It’s been a great weekend. We now need to go to China, do it again, and continue from there. There’s a long season ahead, and we have to keep our heads down and keep pushing.”
Oscar Piastri
“A disappointing result after a really positive weekend. I had the speed and I felt in very good shape to fight for the win. Unfortunately, at the end, I just lost it in the sudden rain.
"Thanks to the team for all their efforts and thanks to all the Australian fans who have given me so much good energy and support over the last few days. It means a lot.”
Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen
“It was a good result for us and an enjoyable but hectic race. The conditions were fairly difficult and slippery but we managed to keep it out of the wall and stay out of trouble, which was the most important thing, so I am happy with that. It was hard for us to pass the McLarens, and we were struggling with the tyres overheating and tyre degradation.
"However, we scored 18 more points than we did last time we were in Melbourne, so this is an improvement on last year and was fun in the end.
"We only have a few days before we are in China so not sure how much we will be able to find and turn around but will work hard to improve. Again, it is the first race of the season and we went for it and learnt a lot, so this is a positive start."
Liam Lawson
“This whole weekend was pretty terrible. We were too slow at the start and then we gambled. It nearly worked, but it wasn’t to be.
"We took a chance staying out on the medium and hoping half the track would stay dry. We knew that sector three was bad but we thought sector one would stay a little bit drier, so we risked it but it was bucketing down with rain.
"It has been a pretty horrible weekend and a struggle as a whole, but we take plenty of learning. For that I am grateful and I am just looking forward to going to China and resetting."
Mercedes
George Russell
"That was not an easy race for anyone, so I’m pleased to bring it home in P3, taking our first podium finish of the new season. Keeping it on the road was a challenge at times, particularly in the changeable conditions.
"The team did a great job operationally and we definitely maximised the result. The pace of the car was enough for us to fight for the podium, but we know we’ve got to find more speed if we want to challenge McLaren in normal conditions.
"It’s a positive start to the season for the whole team and we’re excited to move on to Shanghai and see what we can do."
Kimi Antonelli
"That was an incredibly eventful race! The conditions were super tricky out there. We had so many different conditions that we had to cope with today, but I think we did a good job as a team. I was happy with how we managed everything from start to finish and to come home P4, having started P16, is really positive. I definitely can’t complain about how my debut race in F1 has gone.
"The whole weekend has been a good learning experience. Being knocked out in Q1 after suffering floor damage was obviously disappointing. To bounce back today though, and experience so much in one race, is really good for my development as an F1 driver. We’ve had a strong first weekend and I’m looking forward to building on that in China."
Williams
Alex Albon
"I’m really happy. It was such a crazy race, I’m still trying to get my head around it! It’s fantastic for the team - a P5 is very special and may not come around many times this year. Our strategist did an amazing job. Honestly, it was so difficult out there; these conditions are typically what we hate and, despite all of that, we were still one of the strongest midfield runners out there. Points mean a lot and I’m positive about what’s to come. We’re a very bonded team, it was great to have Carlos helping on the pit wall too. This is for everyone at Grove, for all their work."
Carlos Sainz
"First of all, a massive congratulations to Alex and the team; he did a great job and started off our season on the right foot. For me, we’ve looked at the data and could quickly spot what happened, so this leaves me calmer about the situation. Without going into details, it’s related to the upshifts when in Safety Car Mode. I’m obviously frustrated about it and feel sorry for everyone in the team.
"I spent the rest of the race trying to help on the radio and I’m happy I could at least participate in that way. Thankfully China is already next weekend and I can’t wait to jump back in the car."
Aston Martin
Fernando Alonso
"It was a challenging race with the wet conditions and I was a little unlucky in the end. I was battling inside the top 10 and felt like I was in the mix with others around me. I drove the same line at Turn 6, but there was some gravel there which caused me to lose control.
"There are some weaknesses in the car that we need to tackle, but if we execute a good weekend then it looks like we can score points this season. We get to have another go in China."
Lance Stroll
"That was a super tricky race, so it's good to come away with some big points for the team. I'm happy with that, for sure. We knew from the start that it was about staying on track and being on the right tyre at the right time, and we did that. It's always a real balance of risk versus reward in these changing conditions. You've got to stay clean and consistent. The team made a great call bringing me in for the Intermediate tyres towards the end of the race. They were across the forecast and we made up positions because of it.
"The car still isn't where we want it to be – we've got to keep pushing for improvements – but that makes it even more important to make the most of opportunities."
