Driver changes & form in testing – guide to F1’s season-opening race

The 2025 Formula 1 season is almost upon us and it gets under way with the Australian Grand Prix from 14-16 March.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen is targeting a fifth consecutive drivers ‘ title, while McLaren’s Lando Norris is hoping to go one better after finishing second to the Dutchman in 2024.

However, the main talking point before Melbourne is Lewis Hamilton getting set for his Ferrari debut.

His former team, Mercedes, have replaced him with 18-year-old Italian rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who is set to become the third-youngest driver in F1 history this weekend.

Antonelli, who is George Russell’s new team-mate, is one of six rookies on the grid this season. Three of them already have F1 race experience, but have not completed a full season.

Briton Oliver Bearman, 19, replaces Kevin Magnussen at Haas, having impressed during three race starts last year, including stepping in for Carlos Sainz at Ferrari in Saudi Arabia.

New Zealand’s Liam Lawson is Verstappen’s new partner at Red Bull, after competing in 11 races for their junior team in 2023 and 2024.

Australian Jack Doohan, son of five-time MotoGP world champion Mick Doohan, made his debut for Alpine in Abu Dhabi in December after being signed up for a full campaign this year.

Formula 2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto, 20, joins Sauber while the man he beat to the title, Isack Hadjar, is with Racing Bulls, who were known as RB last season.

Commentary will be available across BBC Radio 5 Live, 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app.

You can also listen via most smart speakers. All you need to do is say “ask BBC Sounds to play the Australian Grand Prix”, followed by the current session.

Make sure to download the Chequered Flag podcast, which previews and reviews every race of the season.

All times GMT.

Friday, 14 March

First practice: 01: 30-02: 30 (BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and smart speakers)

Second practice: 05: 00-06: 00 (BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and smart speakers)

Saturday, 15 March

Third practice: 01: 30-02: 30 (BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and smart speakers)

Qualifying: 05: 00-06: 00 (BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and smart speakers)

Sunday, 16 March

Melbourne, back as the opening race of the season for the first time since 2019, can have changeable weather in mid-March. The early forecast is mostly glorious across the weekend but with rain for the race.

Sunshine and a high of 31C is forecast on Friday, the temperature rising to 34C for qualifying on Saturday.

McLaren, the 2024 constructors ‘ champions, are considered the team to beat after pre-season testing in Bahrain at the end of February.

Mercedes ‘ Russell told BBC Sport that McLaren “look by far the strongest”.

Worryingly for their rivals, Albert Park’s medium-speed corners and low-grip surface is expected to favour the characteristics of the McLaren.

After testing, Hamilton said Ferrari “definitely have some work to do”, while Red Bull technical director Pierre Wache said they had some concerns about their car “but it is going in the right direction”.

As for Mercedes, Russell said “definitely the car’s feeling a bit more together”.