Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc set the pace as the 2025 Formula 1 season got underway at the Australian Grand Prix. Leclerc led the McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in FP2.
Racing Bulls were a surprise package, with Yuki Tsunoda fourth and debutant Isack Hadjar sixth. Lewis Hamilton complained about understeer at Ferrari and separated the two teammates.
Reigning world champion Max Verstappen had ‘massive’ oversteer problems en route to a disappointing seventh place. Nico Hulkenberg offered Sauber, who finished bottom of the championship last year, some encouragement in P8.
| RANK | DRIVER | TEAM | TIME | GAP |
| 1 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:16.439 | +/- |
| 2 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1:16.563 | +0.124s |
| 3 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 1:16.580 | +0.141s |
| 4 | Yuki Tsunoda | Racing Bulls | 1:16.784 | +0.345s |
| 5 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 1:16.859 | +0.420s |
| 6 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls | 1:17.019 | +0.580s |
| 7 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 1:17.063 | +0.624s |
| 8 | Nico Hulkenberg | Sauber | 1:17.161 | +0.722s |
| 9 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | 1:17.279 | +0.840s |
| 10 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:17.282 | +0.843s |
Likewise, Aston Martin looked pessimistic for the new season but may feel more optimistic after Lance Stroll took ninth. That put him ahead of Mercedes driver George Russell.
Elsewhere, new Williams signing Carlos Sainz was only 11th but didn’t set a representative soft-tyre time. Kimi Antonelli and Liam Lawson were 16th and 17th for Mercedes and Red Bull respectively.
Haas garage scene likened to ‘intensive care unit’ after Oliver Bearman crash
The only driver who didn’t run during FP2 was Oliver Bearman. The teenager had crashed in the opening practice session.
In an accident that’s become commonplace at the Australian Grand Prix, Bearman ran wide at the exit of the high-speed turn nine/10 chicane. He lost control of the car and caused significant damage on impact with the barriers.
Haas had to change the power unit and gearbox, already eating into their allocation. It will also be a dent in the cost cap for the £807m-valued team.
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Ayao Komatsu’s squad had hoped Bearman could feature in the second session, but they didn’t make it out in time. BBC reporter Rosanna Tennant watched the repairs taking place outside the garage.
“Haas told me that they were going to make it out for FP2 but they have had to replace the engine and gearbox on Oliver Bearman’s car,” Tennant said. “As things stand, the car is up on the jacks, the wheels are off, the rear is off, the front end is being looked at by the mechanics.
“There are pipes attached to the car, there are machines all close to the car. It’s a bit like an intensive care unit.”
Naomi Schiff shares her concern about Oliver Bearman after Australian Grand Prix shunt
Bearman isn’t officially classed as a rookie because he’s already started three races, two of them for Haas last year. But speaking on Sky Sports F1, pundit Naomi Schiff pointed out that he still desperately needed track time.
Schiff called it a ‘worst-case scenario’ for Bearman on his first weekend as a full-time driver. She suspects that his confidence has been damaged.
“It’s really, on paper, worst-case scenario for how you can debut your rookie season in Formula 1,” she said. “I don’t know if they’ve got the car ready yet for FP2, but hopefully it won’t cost him too much track time, because ultimately, that’s exactly what these drivers need. But it’s gonna take a little bit of a knock on his confidence for sure.”
Bearman looked like a potential surprise package for the Albert Park weekend after Haas disguised their qualifying speed in testing. He’ll be at a disadvantage in qualifying, though the forecast rain on Sunday could be a leveller.
