Kicking off this year’s Formula One World Championship season, the racers head “Down Under” for a clash at the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit for the 2025 Australian Grand Prix. During the 2024 Formula One season, Max Verstappen ended up as the champion of the circuit with a fantastic 437 total points to clinch the championship honor. One of his rivals, Lando Norris, was the second place finisher for the 2024 season and ended the campaign with 374 points, just ahead of Charles Leclerc’s 356. All three racers are now predicted to be in the running for this year’s Australian Grand Prix along with stellar driver Lewis Hamilton in the mix. Each of these racers could make a dash for the title and have the capability to also compete for a season-long championship.
For this report, SBS will be going over what to look for from each of these top racers, a predicted winner at the Australian Grand Prix and also some additional notes about F1.
| F1 Australian Grand Prix 2025 |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lando Norris | +200 | +200 | +200 |
| Charles Leclerc | +500 | +500 | +500 |
| Max Verstappen | +600 | +600 | +600 |
| Lewis Hamilton | +650 | +650 | +650 |
A fantastic driver, Norris scored four wins last season and was one of the most consistent racers down the stretch, notching a win in the final race of the season at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. One of the rising stars in the sport, as of last season, the British racer has achieved four race wins, nine pole positions, 12 fastest laps and 26 podiums. He is also signed to remain at McLaren until at least the end of the 2027 season. Last year at the Australian Grand Prix, the British driver notched a top three finish, one of his best outings during the season. He would like this year to get off to a similar start as well.
The third place driver from a year ago, Leclerc started the season as perhaps the most consistent driver on the circuit with eight-straight top five finishes. This includes a second place finish in Australia in a race where he also won the pole position honor. While he did have some bumpy spots in the middle of the season with back-to-back finishes outside the top ten, he is an excellent racer and will be hard to beat. Additionally, he scored three overall wins last season and has eight wins total on the F1 Circuit. That said, he is still aiming for his first-ever championship as a driver, but this could be his year.
As the reigning champion of F1, Verstappen enters this race as the third ranked competitor in this contest. Last year, as noted above, was a banner year for the Dutch and Belgian driver (although he competes under the Dutch flag) with an astounding nine victories to lead all racers. At only 27 years of age, he won four Formula One World Drivers’ Championship titles, which he won consecutively from 2021 to 2024 with Red Bull, and has won 63 Grand Prixs across 10 seasons. At last year’s Australian Grand Prix, he did have an uncharacteristic performance, having to retire from the race even after securing the pole position for the competition.
Our last driver spotlight, Hamilton is one of the most accomplished drivers in the world. Per his autobiography, he has won a joint-record seven Formula One World Drivers’ Championship titles – tied with Michael Schumacher. Additionally, he holds the records for most wins (105), pole positions (104), and podium finishes (202), among others. Last year, he finished in a disappointing seventh overall (by his standards) so is looking to rebound in 2025. Following a mid-season surge where he won two of three races (including one other top three finish), he had a late season slide. Additionally, he is also aiming for a rebound performance in Australia after retiring from the race in 2024.
A fantastic competition, Norris has the inside track here and is perhaps the main contender to knocking Verstappen off his throne. Additionally, of the racers noted here, he was one of the few drivers on the circuit to not be knocked out of a race.
Once you are all up to speed (no pun intended) on the latest F1 news and notes, make sure to check out the excellent assortment of information to peruse only at SBS. Of course, for even more info on the topic here, the Formula 1 betting sites guide has your back with an awesome array of betting markets on the sport and beyond. Moreover, for those looking to maximize their wagers, and who isn’t, the best bonus betting sites rundown has your back with a ton of great info. This includes a catalogue of the latest welcome bonus offers available for eligible customers. Finally, for those on the go and who qualify, the best betting apps breakdown is an excellent page that covers the nuances of mobile betting and how you can stay on top of the action.
About the Author
Chris Boline is a Reno-based business development professional and freelance sports writer with over a decade of experience covering the NBA G League, Los Angeles Chargers, and national football and basketball. His expertise spans the NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and motorsports, along with topical news, marketing, and promotional content. A proud University of Nevada graduate, Chris earned both his BS in Management & Economics (2015) and MBA (2023). He is active in the Reno community, serving on boards such as the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET, and the College of Business Alumni Association, where he was past president (2022–23). Notable honors include: - Two-time University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year honoree (2017, 2021) - 2021 NCET Professional Services Organization of the Year (with TAC) - 2016–17 Reno Bighorns MVP, awarded by the Sacramento Kings - Nevada Press Association Award for Best Sports Column (2015) - Former Editor-in-Chief of The Nevada Sagebrush Chris blends his passion for sports with a strong background in sales, marketing, and community engagement.
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