Aussie GP practice results: Leclerc tops FP2, Piastri second, Verstappen struggles. See full lap times & betting updates.
AUS GP Day 1: McLaren & Ferrari lead as Verstappen Struggles
The 2025 Australian Grand Prix kicked off with an action-packed opening day at Albert Park, setting the tone for what looks to be a highly unpredictable race weekend.
The spotlight was on McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who impressed in practice by clocking the second-fastest time in FP2, trailing only Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
However, the session wasn’t without its challenges—especially for defending world champion Max Verstappen.
Red Bull appeared off the pace, with Verstappen managing only seventh in FP2, raising questions about their ability to adapt to the newly resurfaced Melbourne circuit.
As a result, top online bookmakers have lengthened Verstappen’s odds to +400 to win on a potentially rainy Sunday.
The Dutch driver admitted the struggles weren’t entirely unexpected but didn’t express much confidence in a quick overnight fix.
Australia’s other homegrown talent, Jack Doohan, made an impressive start to his Alpine stint, outpacing veteran teammate Pierre Gasly in both practice sessions.
Despite the strong showing, Doohan downplayed comparisons, emphasizing that the team was more focused on testing different setups than outright speed.
Meanwhile, McLaren appears to have one of the most competitive packages, with both Piastri and Norris showing strong pace. As the season unfolds, tensions could rise between the two teammates if they remain evenly matched on track.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc set the benchmark in FP2, solidifying his status as a major contender for the weekend, with
Nags.bet dropping him to +300 for the win.His new teammate, Lewis Hamilton, remains a few tenths off the pace but is steadily getting comfortable with his new surroundings.
At Mercedes, George Russell echoed concerns over tire performance, suggesting that the battle at the front remains wide open.
With scorching temperatures expected for Saturday’s qualifying and the possibility of rain on race day, teams will have to strike the perfect balance in their setups. With McLaren, Ferrari, and a potentially resurgent Red Bull all in the mix, an exciting showdown is on the horizon in Melbourne.
Below is the complete driver times and lap counts for each driver
F1 Best Lap Times
| Pos | No | Driver | Team | Best Time | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:16.439 | 32 |
| 2 | 81 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren Mercedes | 1:16.563 | 30 |
| 3 | 4 | Lando Norris | McLaren Mercedes | 1:16.580 | 30 |
| 4 | 22 | Yuki Tsunoda | Racing Bulls Honda RBPT | 1:16.784 | 29 |
| 5 | 44 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 1:16.859 | 31 |
| 6 | 6 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls Honda RBPT | 1:17.019 | 30 |
| 7 | 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT | 1:17.063 | 22 |
| 8 | 27 | Nico Hulkenberg | Kick Sauber Ferrari | 1:17.161 | 24 |
| 9 | 18 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes | 1:17.279 | 28 |
| 10 | 63 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:17.282 | 30 |
| 11 | 55 | Carlos Sainz | Williams Mercedes | 1:17.302 | 30 |
| 12 | 23 | Alexander Albon | Williams Mercedes | 1:17.302 | 28 |
| 13 | 14 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes | 1:17.330 | 27 |
| 14 | 7 | Jack Doohan | Alpine Renault | 1:17.394 | 30 |
| 15 | 10 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine Renault | 1:17.493 | 30 |
| 16 | 12 | Andrea Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 1:17.634 | 31 |
| 17 | 30 | Liam Lawson | Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT | 1:17.640 | 30 |
| 18 | 5 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Kick Sauber Ferrari | 1:17.847 | 29 |
| 19 | 31 | Esteban Ocon | Haas Ferrari | 1:18.034 | 31 |
| 20 | 87 | Oliver Bearman | Haas Ferrari | 1:19.312 | 12 |
Disclaimer: It is your responsibility to abide by gambling and sports betting laws in your jurisdiction. The information provided on BettingPlanet.com is accurate to the best of our knowledge but should be used as a guide only.
