REACTIONS – What did teams say after the season-opening Australian Grand Prix?

Lando Norris gained the Australian Grand Prix ranging from pole place, but it surely was removed from easy, coming on the finish of what was an exhilarating race, notably within the closing levels. F1Technical’s senior author Balazs Szabo delivers what groups needed to say after Spherical 1 of the 2025 F1 season.

Lando Norris, 1st

“It’s an unbelievable begin to the yr and the workforce have given me a tremendous automotive from the get-go. While it was a tricky race because of the unpredictable circumstances and the stress from Oscar and Max, I felt snug and assured on the market within the bundle the workforce have given us.

“It’s been a fantastic weekend. We now must go to China, do it once more, and proceed from there. There’s a protracted season forward, and we’ve to maintain our heads down and preserve pushing.”

Oscar Piastri, ninth

“A disappointing end result after a very constructive weekend. I had the pace and I felt in excellent form to battle for the win. Sadly, on the finish, I simply misplaced it within the sudden rain.

“Because of the workforce for all their efforts and due to all of the Australian followers who’ve given me a lot good vitality and help over the previous few days. It means loads.”

Max Verstappen, 2nd

“It was end result for us and an pleasing however hectic race. The circumstances have been pretty troublesome and slippery however we managed to maintain it out of the wall and keep out of bother, which was a very powerful factor, so I’m pleased with that.

“It was onerous for us to go the McLarens, and we have been combating the tyres overheating and tyre degradation. I feel that is much more evident on intermediates because the compound is even softer than the slicks. They have been higher at controlling the temperature of the tyres and have been pulling away from us fairly simply, so it should assist loads if we work to maintain our tyres in a greater window.

“Nevertheless, we scored 18 extra factors than we did final time we have been in Melbourne, so that is an enchancment on final yr and was enjoyable ultimately. Even when we pitted later we’d have been P2 so I’m pleased with the end result. We solely have just a few days earlier than we’re in China so unsure how a lot we can discover and switch round however will work onerous to enhance. Once more, it’s the first race of the season and we went for it and learnt loads, so this can be a constructive begin.”

Liam Lawson, DNF

“This complete weekend was fairly horrible. Immediately we have been too sluggish at first after which we gambled. It practically labored, but it surely wasn’t to be. Ranging from the pitlane was robust and we simply didn’t actually have the pace within the first stint on the inter. We struggled with the fronts an excessive amount of, so we are going to analyse and have a look at that intimately earlier than the subsequent race.

“On slick tyres it was fairly aggressive for that couple of laps however then it began raining once more. We took an opportunity staying out on the medium and hoping half the monitor would keep dry. We knew that sector three was unhealthy however we thought sector one would keep just a little bit drier, so we risked it but it surely was bucketing down with rain.

“At that time I had backed out of pushing as a result of it was so moist and I used to be simply making an attempt to remain on monitor. It has been a reasonably horrible weekend and a battle as a complete, however we take loads of studying. For that I’m grateful and I’m simply trying ahead to going to China and resetting.”

George Russell, third

“That was not a straightforward race for anybody, so I’m happy to convey it house in P3, taking our first podium end of the brand new season. Retaining it on the highway was a problem at occasions, notably within the changeable circumstances.

“There have been moments when the rain turned barely heavier while operating on worn Intermediates, after which close to the tip the downpour arrived once we have been on slicks. The workforce did a fantastic job operationally at present and we undoubtedly maximised the end result. The tempo of the automotive was sufficient for us to battle for the rostrum, however we all know we’ve acquired to seek out extra pace if we wish to problem McLaren in regular circumstances.

“Kimi did a tremendous job for his first race. To come back by way of from P16 to P4 at any time is spectacular. To do it on his Grand Prix debut is due to this fact improbable. He deserved that end result after yesterday the place he was unfortunate to endure flooring harm in Qualifying.

“It’s a constructive begin to the season for the entire workforce and we’re excited to maneuver on to Shanghai and see what we are able to do at subsequent weekend’s Chinese language Grand Prix.”

Kimi Antonelli, 4th

“That was an extremely eventful race! The circumstances have been tremendous difficult on the market. We had so many alternative circumstances that we had to deal with at present, however I feel we did job as a workforce.

“I used to be pleased with how we managed all the pieces from begin to end and to return house P4, having began P16, is basically constructive. I undoubtedly can’t complain about how my debut race in F1 has gone. It was additionally nice to see George up on the rostrum for the workforce. While we didn’t have the tempo to problem the McLarens, it’s at all times good to choose up silverware.

“The entire weekend has been studying expertise. Being knocked out in Q1 after struggling flooring harm yesterday was clearly disappointing. To bounce again at present although, and expertise a lot in a single race, is basically good for my growth as an F1 driver. We’ve had a powerful first weekend and I’m trying ahead to constructing on that in China subsequent week.”

Alex Albon, fifth

“I’m actually pleased. It was such a loopy race, I’m nonetheless making an attempt to get my head round it! It’s improbable for the workforce – a P5 may be very particular and will not come round many occasions this yr. Our strategist did a tremendous job.

“Actually, it was so troublesome on the market; these circumstances are sometimes what we hate and, regardless of all of that, we have been nonetheless one of many strongest midfield runners on the market. Factors like at present imply loads and I’m constructive about what’s to return. We’re a really bonded workforce, it was nice to have Carlos serving to on the pit wall too. That is for everybody at Grove, for all their work.”

Carlos Sainz, DNF

“To start with, an enormous congratulations to Alex and the workforce; he did a fantastic job and began off our season on the appropriate foot. For me, we’ve regarded on the information and will shortly spot what occurred, so this leaves me calmer concerning the state of affairs. With out going into particulars, it’s associated to the upshifts when in Security Automotive Mode.

“I’m clearly annoyed about it and really feel sorry for everybody within the workforce. I spent the remainder of the race making an attempt to assist on the radio and I’m pleased I might a minimum of take part in that method. Fortunately China is already subsequent weekend and I can’t wait to leap again within the automotive.”

Fernando Alonso, DNF

“It was a difficult race at present with the moist circumstances and I used to be just a little unfortunate ultimately. I used to be battling inside the highest 10 and felt like I used to be within the combine with others round me. I drove the identical line at Flip Six, however there was some gravel there which triggered me to lose management.

“There are some weaknesses within the automotive that we have to sort out, but when we execute weekend then it seems to be like we are able to rating factors this season. We get to have one other go subsequent week in China.”

Lance Stroll, sixth

“That was a brilliant difficult race, so it is good to return away with some huge factors for the workforce. I am pleased with that, for certain. We knew from the beginning that it was about staying on monitor and being on the appropriate tyre on the proper time, and we did that at present. It is at all times an actual steadiness of threat versus reward in these altering circumstances.

“You have to keep clear and constant. The workforce made a fantastic name bringing me in for the Intermediate tyres in direction of the tip of the race. They have been throughout the forecast and we made up positions due to it.

“The automotive nonetheless is not the place we would like it to be – we have to maintain pushing for enhancements – however that makes it much more essential to profit from alternatives like we did at present.”

Nico Hulkenberg, seventh

“That is a completely constructive end result for the workforce. It undoubtedly places a smile on my face. We did not see that coming yesterday after our qualifying efficiency. Below the difficult circumstances at present, we did not make any errors and had a few good technique calls. It was very troublesome to maintain that automotive on monitor and browse the circumstances.

“Avenue circuits underneath these circumstances are very unforgiving. You might be consistently on the sting. On the intermediate tires within the first half of the race I used to be struggling fairly a bit. It was a matter of simply staying within the race and ready for our alternative. The protection automotive then clearly put us again within the race for the factors, when it began to rain in direction of the tip.

“We managed to pit precisely in the appropriate second forward of others. Generally you bought to be fortunate. With others having some bother, we stayed clear and rewarded ourselves with this good six factors. I want to thank all the workforce for the onerous work to make that occur.”

Gabriel Bortoleto, DNF

“Sadly, the race didn’t finish as we had hoped – which is a disgrace, as issues have been going fairly effectively for me up till that second. As soon as the Security Automotive interval ended, I discovered myself on the very again, tried to get well, however touched the kerb and finally ended up within the wall.

“We knew something might occur in circumstances like these; we gave it all the pieces however pushed just a little too onerous. Alternatively, I’m pleased for Nico and the workforce for scoring factors at present: he did a tremendous job, and everybody deserved it, each trackside and again at our HQ in Hinwil.

“All in all, I feel it’s protected to say my debut weekend went effectively apart from this, particularly contemplating my qualifying end result yesterday. It’s been a weekend of studying, attending to know the workforce and its dynamics even higher. Now, I intend to maintain working and enhancing as we stay up for China subsequent week.”

Charles Leclerc, eighth

“It was a tricky race and there are issues we’ve to evaluation and work on. We weren’t the quickest on the market however in such climate circumstances, there was an opportunity of scoring some huge factors which we didn’t capitalise on at present.

“I misplaced just a few positions after the spin at flip 11. In the long run, it wasn’t that unhealthy, with the Security Automotive that got here out in a while, however then we stopped a lap too late to change to Inters, shedding positions once more. There are two issues we’ve to look into. The primary is straightforward, it was my mistake. The second is one thing we are going to kind out as a workforce, trying into our choices and ensuring we make the appropriate name if the state of affairs comes up once more.

“It’s a steady technique of enchancment. We’re disenchanted but it surely’s good to know we’ll be again within the automotive in just some days in China to provide it one other go.”

Lewis Hamilton, tenth

“Not the beginning we wished however there’s heaps to remove and work on from this one. The beginning was okay, however I misplaced momentum out of T1 on the skin of Charles and acquired caught behind Albon for a lot of the race.

“The rain at all times mixes issues up and technique comes right down to timing and a little bit of luck. We took a raffle and made up locations, however then boxing too late for Inters value us, dropping us to the again of the highest 10 with an excessive amount of floor to get well.

“I struggled with the steadiness, but it surely was an essential race for studying extra concerning the automotive and in numerous climate circumstances, in addition to gaining extra expertise working with a brand new workforce. McLaren and Crimson Bull had critical tempo, so there’s work to do, however we’ll dig deep. I’m trying ahead to getting again within the automotive subsequent weekend in China.”

Pierre Gasly, eleventh

“After such a tricky race in actually difficult circumstances, it’s undoubtedly a disappointing feeling to depart with out scoring factors. It was a lottery on the market and I felt like we did effectively to remain within the combine for almost all of the race.

“The rain bathe on the finish finally determined issues with some drivers benefitting from pitting earlier and others, like us, taking a raffle to go a lap or two later. That’s the method it goes typically. I’m happy with the competitiveness of our general bundle. We’ve got proven we’ve sturdy tempo and I’m assured going into subsequent weekend in China, so we’ll give attention to the positives as a workforce and transfer on.

“These circumstances have been actually robust even for probably the most skilled drivers on the grid with such lack of grip. Jack has carried out a fantastic job all weekend. He was actually thrown into the deep finish with these circumstances and I do know we’re each decided to be again subsequent week doing the most effective job potential and hopefully compete once more for factors.”

Jack Doohan, DNF

“It was an unlucky finish to an general constructive weekend. It was the results of a mix of things which we are going to go over collectively as a workforce to be taught from and guarantee it doesn’t occur once more.

“It’s a robust solution to be taught however I’ve digested what occurred and put it behind me to give attention to what’s forward. The constructive learnings from the weekend outweigh the result from at present, we have been sturdy yesterday afternoon however caught out with the yellow flag. All of the weekend the tempo has been there in order a workforce we are able to take confidence going into each race weekend.

“We’ve got back-to-back races with Shanghai developing subsequent week, so we are going to regroup as a workforce and purpose to return again even stronger there. Total, the weekend has been nice, the followers have been wonderful, the ambiance was unbelievable, and to have the chance to drive in entrance of a house crowd for my season debut has been particular.”

Isack Hadjar, DNS

“I really feel embarrassed at present, and I can solely be taught from my mistake and apologise to the workforce. There have been difficult circumstances on the market, and from the set up laps, I felt very low grip and poor confidence.

“Within the formation lap, I attempted to organize the tyres as a lot as I might, however sadly, I had a spin and the automotive was unsavable; I simply felt like a passenger earlier than hitting the wall. Now I stay up for be able to race in China subsequent week.”

Yuki Tsunoda, twelfth

“The timing of the pit didn’t go our method at present, it was too late and instantly I dropped to P11 after the Security Automotive. The tempo was there and we didn’t make many errors, till the final little bit of rain. I did what I can, I used to be fairly pleased with how my efficiency was.

“We’ll undoubtedly revise what occurred and be taught from this for the long run. We’d like to ensure we’re not making the identical errors, particularly with the sphere being so tight this yr, each single level is essential.

“It’s not excellent, however we are able to take plenty of positives from this weekend; we had tempo and if we are able to maximise efficiency, we are able to have race weekend, we’ll simply should preserve performing like this and are available again sturdy.”

Esteban Ocon, thirteenth

“It’s actually the efficiency we missed out on this race, if we had just a little bit extra we’d’ve been within the combine for factors. The automobiles have been preventing in entrance and I used to be simply there, there was no place for me to get inside the highest 10, I simply couldn’t sustain sadly. We have to give it look – it’s not what we’ve seen, so it’s fairly surprising to be the place we’re this weekend – however I’m certain we’ll flip it round.”

Oliver Bearman, 14th

“The purpose of at present was to get the laps in and gather information. I’m fairly pleased with my efficiency, I felt like I executed issues effectively.“There are some things the place we misplaced a little bit of time, however once you’re not preventing for factors it’s the time to strive issues, and it simply didn’t work this time – now on to China.”

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