Every Formula 1 driver will be hoping to start the 2025 season on the front foot, however, that’s not always possible.
Pre-season testing gave fans an indication of which teams should be confident heading into the Australian Grand Prix and which teams might already be worried.
McLaren appeared to be on top during testing but whether that translates into a strong points finish in Melbourne is yet to be seen.
At the other end of the scale, Sauber’s 2025 car looked off the pace compared to their rivals and may be worried about finishing last in the constructors’ championship once again ahead of Audi’s takeover.
Lewis Hamilton will make headlines in Australia regardless of where he finishes in qualifying or the race after signing for Ferrari.
The amount of attention on him is drawing speculation away from other drivers on the grid which could be seen as a positive or negative.
Two Australians who will be hoping to share the majority of the support in Albert Park are McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Alpine rookie Jack Doohan.
Although Piastri is only a couple of years older than Doohan, he’s already at a very different stage in his career.
The two-time race winner is an established member of the current constructors’ title holders and Piastri has admitted he’s set his sights on becoming world champion this year.
Doohan’s F1 future is already in doubt despite having only taken part in one Grand Prix and Damon Hill – speaking to Speedcafe on YouTube – has suggested that the youngster isn’t going to have the easiest time at the beginning of this season.
Damon Hill says Jack Doohan faces ‘very uncomfortable’ first Formula 1 season
Hill was asked about the start of Doohan’s first full F1 season and the position he’s been put in after the arrival of Franco Colapinto from Williams.
Colapinto could be racing for Alpine as early as the Miami Grand Prix but with Doohan quite literally in the driving seat, his destiny is in his own hands.
Responding to Doohan’s dilemma, Hill said: “It is very uncomfortable for him, it’s very hard.
READ MORE: Who is Alpine F1 driver Jack Doohan? All to know from his girlfriend to dad
“I mean, there’s nothing…you just got your first full season lined up and people are talking about you being replaced, I mean that must be very unnerving because you don’t know what the team are thinking.
“You try to get some sort of indication from the team as to whether or not that’s something he should worry about.
“But there’s stuff you can control and stuff you can’t control and I think that he will know he’s got to do a job and if he does it well, they’ll keep him and that’ll be all sorted.”
Alpine implement Jack Doohan policy for the Australian Grand Prix
Doohan will know that the stronger he can start the season – and the closer he can get to Pierre Gasly – the more the pressure will be off him.
One of the biggest talking points every season is the driver’s market and given how much change took place in the paddock last year, scenarios like Doohan’s are going to be under the microscope more than usual.
READ MORE: All you need to know about Alpine F1 Team from team principal to lineage
Alpine have implemented a media policy around Doohan heading into his home race to avoid his attention being taken away from the race.
The 22-year-old will have the full support of thousands of fans dotted around the Albert Park circuit.
He needs to have one of the strongest rookie seasons seen for some time to make sure he’s still on the grid when the Australian Grand Prix rolls around again in 2026.
