F1 Australian Grand Prix

The 2025 Formula 1 season gets underway with the Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne’s Albert Park Circuit on  March 16. This event not only marks the beginning of another highly anticipated season, but it also sees Australia return as the season opener, with it being the first time since 2019 that the F1 campaign has kicked off Down Under. Millions of people from around the world will tune in to see if superstars such as Lando Norris and Max Verstappen can perform as expected, while many fans will also be curious to see how each constructor fairs in the initial 2025 Grand Prix.

When it comes to all of the key details for the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, here's an overview of everything you need to know:

• Location: Albert Park in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
• How To Watch: Sky Sports F1, Channel Four
• Practice Session 1: Friday 14th of March 2025, 1:30 am GMT
• Practice Session 2: Friday 14th of March 2025, 5:00 am GMT
• Practice Session 3: Saturday 15th of March 2025, 1:30 am GMT
• Qualifying: Saturday 15th of March 2025, 5:00 am GMT
• Grand Prix: Sunday 16th of March 2025, 4:00 am GMT

Below you can see more information about the F1 Australian Grand Prix, including the format, current favourites according to the Formula 1 betting odds, and previous winners of the event!

There are often driver changes leading into a new Formula 1 season, but in 2025, the driver shifts feel more significant. For example, Lewis Hamilton has called time on his long association with Mercedes to join Ferrari in what is a monumental move. After a prolific tenure with Mercedes, where he bagged six of his seven world titles, Hamilton now embarks on a new journey with the Scuderia, aiming to finally clinch an unprecedented eighth championship crown.

Ferrari’s decision to pair Hamilton with Charles Leclerc has generated a considerable buzz. Leclerc, who has been with Ferrari since 2019, has already proven he’s a future title winner. With Hamilton arriving and adding vast experience to the team, it will boost Leclerc’s chances, with Ferrari’s competitiveness highly likely to improve all round.

McLaren, fresh off winning the Constructors’ Championship in 2024, a title they’re favourites to win again this season according to the Constructors’ Championship betting odds, have Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri as their drivers this term. Norris has been in stellar form, and Piastri, the young Australian, returns to his home race with aspirations of ending the nation’s 45-year drought for a home Gran Prix winner. He’s currently 8/1 in the betting.

It will be a season of adaptation for Red Bull. Sergio Perez has departed and has subsequently been replaced by rookie Liam Lawson, who steps in alongside reigning champion Max Verstappen.

Certain drivers stand out as potential race winners or podium contenders at the 2025 Australian Grand Prix:

• Max Verstappen – As the defending four-time world champion, Verstappen has won at Albert Park before. He has the aggressive yet precise driving style to suit Melbourne’s layout, and Red Bull will want to get off to a winning start. Verstappen is 4/1 to win the race.
• Lewis Hamilton – Making his Ferrari debut, Hamilton will want to impress immediately. The Brit’s racecraft and ability to manage tyres in high-pressure scenarios could be key. At 13/2, Hamilton is in the conversation to win the race.
• Lando Norris – Lando Norris was the driver to push Verstappen last season, and in 2025, he’s one of the biggest threats to Red Bull’s dominance. If McLaren’s MCL39 remains competitive, Norris, the favourite to win the race according to Australian Grand Prix betting, could deliver on his price of 7/4.
• Oscar Piastri – Racing at home, Piastri has the support of the Australian crowd. If McLaren provide him with a car capable of challenging, he could make the podium or even secure a historic victory.
• Charles Leclerc – Now Ferrari’s co-leader with Hamilton, Leclerc has an excellent record in Australia. His one-lap qualifying speed will be vital for a front-row start. He’s 4/1 to win, based on his record Down Under.

McLaren’s ascendancy in 2024 has made them the team to watch in 2025. Under the leadership of tram principal Andrea Stella, and with drivers like Norris and Piastri capable of delivering strong performances, expectations are high. Norris is the current favourite to win the Drivers’ Championship with Drivers’ Championship betting odds. Managing the internal competition between the two drivers will be crucial this season.

Ferrari’s strategic acquisition of Hamilton underlines their ambition to reclaim Championship glory. There are already reports surfacing that Hamilton has settled in well, and his collaboration with Leclerc will be pivotal if Ferrari are to have a successful campaign.

Red Bull’s recent challenges, including key departures, have introduced uncertainties. Despite Verstappen’s continued dominance on the track, the team must integrate rookie Liam Lawson while retaining their competitive edge.

Mercedes, adjusting to life after Hamilton, now look to George Russell to lead the team. Partnered with the prodigious Andrea Kim Antonelli, Mercedes has a blend of experience and youth.

The Albert Park Circuit is a semi-street circuit, meaning it combines public roads and purpose-built sections. It has high-speed straights, sharp braking zones, and flowing corners, making it a favourite among drivers.

The first two corners are crucial, as overtaking is difficult later in the lap. The Australian Grand Prix is particularly difficult due to the mix of fast straights and technical corners, which makes Friday's practice sessions absolutely pivotal for drivers. Turn 3 and Turn 13 are the key overtaking sports, and drivers must manage tyre wear effectively due to the circuit’s abrasive nature, something Lewis Hamilton excels at.

As for the format, the Australian Grand Prix follows a set race format that builds excitement over three days. F1 race weekends start with practice sessions on Friday where drivers learn the circuit.

Saturday hosts the third and final practice session, alongside the qualifying races that decide the starting grid positions. Drivers push their cars to the limit during these timed laps, with the fastest driver earning pole position at the front of the grid.

Sunday is race day when the main Grand Prix takes place. The full race spans about 300 kilometres (58 laps around the Albert Park circuit).

With the Australian Grand Prix being the first race of the new season, there are several technical and regulatory modifications to be aware of for this race and beyond.

• Increased Minimum Driver Weight  - To improve driver well-being, the minimum weight has been increased from 80kg to 82kg, raising the car’s overall minimum weight to 800kg.
• Mandatory Cooling Kits – To prevent heat-related issues, a driver cooling kit will be mandatory from now on if track temperatures exceed 30.5 °c, adding an extra 5kg to the car’s weight.
• Changes to DRS System – The Drag Reduction System, or DRS, slot gap has been reduced, which will affect overtaking strategies moving forward.
• No More Fastest Lap Point – The extra point awarded for the fasted lap has now been removed.

For the last few seasons, Max Verstappen winning the drivers’ championship has almost felt like a foregone conclusion. However, this season, things feel different. Lando Norris is ready to challenge for the championship, and Lewis Hamilton, after making the switch to Ferrari, could start to move into contention in the near future. It makes this upcoming campaign likely to be one of the most competitive seen in a long while.

Of course, every driver dreams of getting off to a winning start in the first race of the new season, and there will be a number of them with realistic dreams of at least making the podium in Melbourne, with Formula 1 returning there for the season opener for the first time since 2019.

In recent seasons, Ferrari have done well in Australia, so is it written in the stars for Hamilton to get off to a winning start in his first-ever race in the famous red? His driving partner, Charles Leclerc, is also a recent winner on the track, so there’s the potential for a Ferrari 1-2.

Lando Norris, highly fancied to have a successful season, is another driver who will be keen to put down a marker and make a statement. As will his teammate Oscar Piastri, an Australian who will be eager to deliver on home soil.

Whatever the outcome, expect twists and turns along the way. It’s a race that feels too close to call, especially with it being the first of the season. So maybe taking a look at the in-play betting could be the way to go.

You can find a huge selection of Formula 1 betting odds here at BetVictor, with some of the most popular markets being:

• Outright Winner - Betting on the outright winner of the Australian Grand Prix gives you a chance to pick who will stand on the top step of the podium. This market focuses on which driver will cross the finish line first and claim victory at the famous Albert Park Circuit.
• Each Way - Just like with an outright winner bet, this market allows you to also cover different positions on the podium. We offer 1/5 of the odds on the first three places in the Australian Grand Prix!
• Fastest Qualifier - This bet focuses on which driver will secure pole position during the qualifying session before race day by registering the fastest lap during qualification.
• Top 6 Finish - Just like the name of this bet suggests, it involves picking a driver that you think will finish in the top 6. Unlike an Each Way bet, the odds shown for the Top 6 Finish market are the odds that will be awarded, should the chosen driver finish 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, or 6th.
• First Retirement - The First Race Retirement market lets you bet on which driver will exit the race first. This betting option includes mechanical failures that may happen to one of the cars, or crashes experienced by drivers.

Lando Norris is the favourite to win the Australian Grand Prix outright, according to the current Formula 1 betting odds. He impressed during the test event, setting the pace on the opening day, with the MCL39 also looking like an incredibly impressive car, to the testament of McLaren. Lando will be looking to start the 2025 season on the right foot with a victory in Melbourne, bettering his performance of third in the same race last year.

Interestingly, Max Verstappen is the second favourite, which is likely due to his success in last year's Australian Grand Prix. Max has, however, stated that he doesn't feel like a strong contender for defending his title due to being less than impressed with the current state of his car. This doesn't rule him out of the race though, as Verstappen has the talent and skills to navigate the tricky course, despite his car not being fully finished for the upcoming season.

Here's a look at the top 10 current favourites to win the event, taken from the Formula 1 betting odds at the time of writing:

• Lando Norris
• Max Verstappen
• Charles Leclerc
• Oscar Piastri
• Lewis Hamilton
• Kimi Antonelli
• Liam Lawson
• Alex Albon
• Carlos Sainz
• Fernando Alonso

If you want to bet on the Australian Grand Prix online, BetVictor is the place to be. We have a huge range of Formula 1 odds to choose from, with coverage of this Grand Prix and many others that occur throughout the season, alongside outright betting options for the Drivers' Championship and Constructors’ Championship. As soon as each race gets started, you can also find it over on the in-play betting page, allowing you to follow and bet on the action in real time.

Be sure to check out the BetVictor offers page before committing to a wager, too, as it features a variety of different bonuses. Many of these can be used across all sports betting markets, including on Formula 1, with options available for both new and existing customers!