OFFICIAL GRID: Who starts where as rain threatens and Bearman starts from Melbourne pit lane

McLaren may have dominated Qualifying in Australia, but with some surprise names in a tight Q3 pack behind them – and a wet race in prospect – it’s going to be a fascinating start to the first Grand Prix of 2025.

Lando Norris deprived the local fans of an Aussie driver on pole, as he pipped team mate Oscar Piastri to P1, and World Champion Max Verstappen put Red Bull third – a full 15 places up on his new partner, Liam Lawson.

REPORT: Norris storms to pole position for the Australian Grand Prix ahead of Piastri and Verstappen

It was a similarly big split at Mercedes, with George Russell fourth to rookie Kimi Antonelli’s 16th, while Yuki Tsunoda and Alex Albon starred for Racing Bulls and Williams with a stunning P5 and P6 respectively.

The Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton start a disappointing eighth and ninth, as Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and the second Williams of Carlos Sainz complete the top 10 on the grid.

READ MORE: McLarens vs Verstappen and rain on race day – What To Watch For in the Australian Grand Prix

What of the other rookies you ask? Isack Hadjar is a very respectable 11th for Racing Bulls, Gabriel Bortoleto out-qualified Kick Sauber team mate Nico Hulkenberg for P15, and Oliver Bearman starts from the pit lane after Q1 technical issues and pre-race set-up changes on his Haas.

The 2025 Australian Grand Prix starts at 1500 local time. Be sure to join our live coverage from 1400 here.