NEED TO KNOW: The most important facts, stats and trivia ahead of the 2025 Australian Grand Prix

Formula 1 goes racing for 2025 with the season-opening Australian Grand Prix this weekend. Need to Know is your all-in-one guide with statistics, driving pointers, strategy tips and plenty more.

Free Practice 1 and 2 will take place on Friday, March 14, followed by Free Practice 3 and Qualifying on Saturday, March 15 and the main event itself, the 58-lap Australian Grand Prix, on Sunday, March 16.

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Vital statistics

First Grand Prix – 1996 (first Australian Grand Prix held at Adelaide in 1985)
Track Length – 5.278km
Lap record – 1m 19.813s, Charles Leclerc, 2024
Most pole positions – Lewis Hamilton (8)
Most wins – Michael Schumacher (4)
Trivia – Almost a third of the field retired on the first lap back in 2002 when eight cars pulled out following a dramatic multi-car collision, triggered by Ralf Schumacher’s Williams flying over the back of Rubens Barrichello’s Ferrari
Pole run to Turn 1 braking point – 271 metres
Overtakes completed in 2024 – 35
Safety Car probability – 50%
Virtual Safety Car probability – 67%
Pit stop time loss – 19.3 seconds (including 2.5s stationary)

The driver’s verdict

Jolyon Palmer, former Renault F1 driver: I love the circuit. It’s a really good one to find a rhythm. It’s a very atmospheric track to drive at as well.

It was widened in places for 2022, which just ups the average speed of the place, because it used to be a little bit more stop-start than it is now.

They’ve taken out the chicane that used to be Turns 9 and 10, and used to funnel the cars, and added a DRS zone – so there are now four DRS zones.

It’s not easy to overtake here, but a real pleasure to drive as you find your rhythm and wind your way around the picturesque Albert Park.

ONBOARD: Max Verstappen’s 2024 Pirelli Pole Position Award lap at the Australian Grand Prix

Last five Australian Grand Prix polesitters

2024 – Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
2023 – Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
2022 – Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
2019 – Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2018 – Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

GALLERY: F1 paddock sets up in Melbourne as preparations get underway for Australian Grand Prix

Last five Australian Grand Prix winners

2024 – Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)
2023 – Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
2022 – Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
2019 – Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)
2018 – Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 24: Race winner Carlos Sainz of Spain and Ferrari celebrates on the — Sainz brilliantly won on his first race back from appendicitis in Melbourne last season

Tyre and strategy insight

Compared to a year ago, Pirelli’s tyres have evolved in terms of both construction and compound characteristics – the former being slightly modified to handle the increased aerodynamic loads likely to be generated by the 2025-spec cars.

In terms of compounds, the C3 is substantially the same as the version used for the previous two seasons, while the C4 has been adjusted to reduce the possibility of graining on the tread surface, as well as minimising degradation – something that has also been applied to the C5.

“Last year [in Australia], the most popular strategy was a two-stop, with the hard doing most of the work, completing 80% of all the laps, with an average stint length of 22 laps,” reads Pirelli’s weekend preview.

“Only three drivers opted to start on the soft, with a longest stint of seven laps, while two drivers lined up on hard tyres, making the medium compound the most popular tyre on the grid, with 15 starters.

“Graining made its unwelcome presence felt over the weekend, although it never really compromised tyre performance. Albert Park could be the first real test to see if the changes made, especially to the C4 and C5, will produce the expected results.”

It continues: “Summer is sliding into autumn at this time of year in Australia and the weather can be very changeable, with big swings in temperature from one day to the next and rain has been known to put in an appearance.

INSIGHT: How tyre suppliers Pirelli make F1’s wheels go round at pre-season testing and beyond

“That could lead to the new full wet making its debut: modifications include a new tread design to reduce movement of the blocks which can lead to overheating, while the compound used is closer to that found in the intermediate, which could give it a wider operating window in crossover conditions.”

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 10: Charles Leclerc of Monaco and Ferrari, Max Verstappen of the — Given its semi-permanent street track characteristics, track position is vital at Albert Park

Current form

A thrilling 2024 season ended with champions from different outfits thanks to Max Verstappen making it four Drivers’ titles on the bounce and McLaren earning their first Teams’ crown since 1998.

After pre-season testing in Bahrain, many in the paddock are backing McLaren to continue where they left off at last year’s Abu Dhabi finale, but with Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull all seemingly in the mix.

There is plenty of intrigue over seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton’s potential at Ferrari, after he declared that he was “really enjoying” his new car, while Red Bull admitted they still have some “work to do” to improve on their up-and-down 2024.

Williams also raised a few eyebrows during testing, with new signing Carlos Sainz topping the timesheets, prompting suggestions that they could be leading what looks set to be another tight fight to separate the top of the midfield and the back of the grid.

But now, after weeks of talking and plenty of predictions, it’s finally time to go racing again and get the first answers as to how the 2025 pecking order – and quest for championship glory – might shape up...

Ultimate Guide: Everything you need to know ahead of the 2025 F1 season

Iconic moment

As touched on in our statistics section, the 2002 race at Albert Park got off to a dramatic start when Ralf Schumacher’s Williams launched over the rear of Rubens Barrichello’s Ferrari and triggered a Turn 1 pile-up.

Hit go on the video player below for all the angles of the incident, a run-down on everyone else who got caught up on it and Schumacher’s instant reaction...

LIGHTS TO FLAG: Rubens Barrichello on Schumacher, Ferrari, the Brawn adventure – and his racing exploits after F1

F1 Vault: When Ralf Schumacher flew in 2002

Elsewhere at Albert Park

Driving Learning Program

Local schools and communities get free general admission tickets to attend the first day of the event via the Driving Learning Program, which provides students the opportunity to learn about STEM in motorsport from a variety of industry professionals at the circuit’s Innovation Hub. There are currently over 20,000 students across 400 schools registered.

STEM Hub Challenge

The Fuelling the Future Challenge offers primary and secondary students the opportunity to dive into exciting, hands-on STEM activities. Through exploring hydrogen power, designing innovative vehicles, and presenting their discoveries, students gain essential skills for the future. The challenge connects key scientific concepts to practical, real-world applications while meeting vital educational standards. There are currently almost 200 teams registered into the first round of the challenge.

Innovation Hub

The Innovation Hub aims to inspire the next generation of pioneers and industry leaders. The new Fast Lane Facts activation will showcase 18 educational facts about F1 and the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit. There’ll be an impressive schedule for the Tech Talk Stage including presentations and Q&As from F1 team personnel, F1 Ambassadors, Industry Professionals, STEM Hub Challenge Finalists, Aerodynamicists and more.