Why McLaren’s real test comes on race day, What happened to Ferrari in Australian GP qualifying?, and other big updates

Why McLaren’s real test comes on race day

McLaren’s front-row lockout in Australia, nearly four-tenths ahead of Verstappen, confirmed its early-season dominance despite Norris and Piastri downplaying expectations. The MCL39 is clearly fast, but concerns remain about its unpredictability, as seen in Bahrain, where wind and track conditions made it harder to drive. While Melbourne suited McLaren’s strengths, it’s unclear if this advantage will hold at other tracks, especially in tougher conditions. Rain is expected on race day, which could help Verstappen if McLaren struggles in the wet like it did last year.

Click here to read the full article by Edd Straw (the-race.com)

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What happened to Ferrari in Australian GP qualifying?

Ferrari had a tough start in F1 2025 qualifying as Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton finished on the fourth row. They started strong but couldn't improve much, while Lando Norris took pole and even Yuki Tsunoda and Alexander Albon finished ahead of them. Leclerc said the car became harder to control as they pushed, and tire overheating was a big problem. Hamilton, who is still getting used to Ferrari’s car, felt he was improving but said the team should have changed the setup as the track conditions changed.

Click here to read the full article by Filip Cleeren (motorsport.com)

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Bearman’s nightmare weekend ends in last-place start

Oliver Bearman had a tough weekend at the Australian Grand Prix and couldn’t set a lap in qualifying after causing two red flags in practice. He crashed in Friday’s first session, missed the second while his car was being fixed, and then spun into the gravel on Saturday. When he finally went out for qualifying, a gearbox problem sent him back to the garage, leaving him last on the grid. Haas team boss Ayao Komatsu said the team was surprised by their slow pace and hoped rain would help them in the race.

Click here to read the full article at espn.com

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Pushing Williams academy drivers to their limits

How do Williams' single-seater academy drivers sharpen their skills? It turns out the tedious but crucial work isn't just for Formula 1 drivers. Performance coach Patrick Harding leads their training and says many exercises are the same as Albon's. Afterward, they compare the results to see how the academy drivers stack up. But how long can they keep up?

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Hamilton faces his fears

Lewis Hamilton's first Ferrari memory was watching Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and that car became his favorite. Did that early connection hint at his future desire to race for Ferrari? Now, as he faces his fears—like his allergy to horses—he stands before a black stallion named Aroma. Take a look!