There were surprises in the Sprint Qualifying. Ferrari seems to have reacted to the difficulties encountered in Australia; Lewis Hamilton secured an incredible Pole Position, beating an equally incredible Max Verstappen by 18 thousandths of a second.

In the second row, it’s McLaren vs Ferrari with Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc, while behind them will be George Russell and Lando Norris. McLaren’s Lando Norris was the favorite for the Pole Position but missed it in SQ3 with a mistake at the braking zone after the long straight.

Among the other surprises of Friday morning’s qualifying, Liam Lawson’s last place stood out, as he struggled with his Red Bull. On the other hand, Oliver Bearman and Gabriel Bortoleto surprised by both making it into SQ2, beating their respective teammates, who did not make it past SQ1.

For the Sprint race scheduled today at the Shanghai circuit, the 100km distance corresponds to 19 laps. The points system remains unchanged from 2024 and will reward the top eight finishers.

The Sprint race will be an interesting indicator for the long race on Sunday. With only one practice session completed, the teams couldn’t gather the usual amount of data. Therefore, the pace of the cars is yet to be discovered: all the elements are in place for a race to remember.

— see video above —

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After just one hour of free practice, Formula 1 takes to the track for the Chinese GP Sprint Qualifying, covered in our live commentary. The circuit near Shanghai has undergone major changes compared to 2024, with a completely new asphalt surface, creating an unknown variable for the teams. With only 60 minutes of preparation, teams lack a clear picture of conditions as they head into the first Sprint Qualifying session of 2025.

2025 Sprint Qualifying Regulations

The regulations for the additional qualifying sessions during Sprint weekends remain unchanged from 2024. As in the previous season, there will be three sessions—SQ1, SQ2, and SQ3, lasting 12, 10, and 8 minutes, respectively. During these three sessions, teams are required to use specific tire compounds: mediums for SQ1 and SQ2, while in SQ3, they may use soft tires, though they do not necessarily have to be new.

Ferrari searching for answers in Chinese GP qualifying

The SF-25 has started 2025 with performances that have certainly not met fans’ expectations. The Maranello team has had to find a technical compromise to avoid further complications. Many theories have emerged regarding this performance setback, ranging from gearbox issues to a possible excessive reliance on the “trick”.

While Ferrari has underwhelmed, McLaren is striking fear into the competition, with an MCL39 that won the Melbourne GP and impressed everyone. Behind the reigning champions, the battle appears to be tight between Red Bull and Mercedes, with the latter boosted by Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who surprised in his debut.

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2025 Australian GP: F1 starting grid, positions, and penalties
The real surprise of Melbourne qualifying is Ferrari. The Scuderia shocks everyone—in a bad way—by securing a disappointing fourth-row start in the first Q3 of the season. In Melbourne, the flashes of brilliance are not red but papaya: Norris and Piastri completely dominate the front row, leaving Max Verstappen almost four-tenths behind. The Dutchman will start behind Lando Norris, alongside George Russell’s Mercedes, which secured fourth in Australian Q3.

To find the red cars of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, you have to look even further down, past another row occupied by Tsunoda and Albon. The two Maranello drivers failed to put together a clean qualifying session, with limited lap time improvements—resulting in a disaster.

In their first battle for pole with Mercedes and Red Bull, Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Liam Lawson encountered too many setbacks—both young drivers were forced to bow out at the end of Q1.

There are currently no grid penalties.

— see video above —

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Engines are roaring in Melbourne as Formula 1 returns with the first round of the 2025 World Championship in Australia. Follow our live coverage of FP1.

Formula 1 is back on track, and the Australian GP is opening the 2025 season. Follow our live report of FP1. The past season crowned McLaren as the Constructors’ Champion, while Max Verstappen strengthened his dominance, securing his fourth consecutive World Championship title.

The 2025 season starts here. The *Papaya Boys* will have to confirm themselves as the leading force, while their challengers remain uncertain. One among Ferrari, Red Bull, and Mercedes is favored to battle for victory against the Woking-based team, but rain could change everything.

Rain is expected throughout the Melbourne weekend and could influence Sunday’s race.

FP1 for the Australian GP is scheduled to begin live at 2:30 AM Central European Standard Time

F1, Australian GP 2025: What’s the weather forecast for the weekend?
As previously mentioned, rain will pose a significant risk for the first race weekend of the 2025 season. Precipitation is expected over the weekend, easing by Sunday. On race day, there is a 95% chance of a wet track. The rain is expected primarily in the late morning and afternoon, according to Australian government agencies.

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It’s sunset time in F1 and at the Yas Marina Circuit for the most awaited and bittersweet moment of the year: the final race of the championship. Join us for live coverage of the Abu Dhabi GP, where Ferrari is hanging by a thread, clinging to hopes of a distant but not impossible championship.

Charles Leclerc starts far back due to a poor qualifying session and an unavoidable penalty. However, this doesn’t discourage the Monegasque driver, who is determined to push to the limit and do everything possible to secure the constructors’ championship for Ferrari, which has eluded them since 2008, a full 16 years ago.

“It’s not easy to accept. Obviously, it’s the worst moment to face a penalty and have a lap deleted in qualifying,” said the Monegasque driver after qualifying. “We’re in a tough position for the race, but we’ll give everything to turn things around.”

Carlos Sainz is equally motivated to push hard. “We’ve done a great job after Friday’s difficulties,” said the Spaniard. “We’ll have to fight until the very last meter, and I’ll do everything I can to win. I want nothing more than to end my Ferrari chapter on a high note.”

Temperatures are expected to be around 26 degrees when the cars take to the track for the final race of the 2024 season. Conditions should be ideal for an intense and competitive race.

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The last qualifying session of this Formula 1 season is underway in Abu Dhabi to determine the starting grid for Sunday’s race.

Ferrari has started the weekend on the back foot. On Friday, Charles Leclerc not only dealt with food poisoning but will also face a 10-place grid penalty. The team decided to replace the battery in his car for the season finale. McLaren, on the other hand, appears to be the team to beat and is currently the strongest contender. With 21 points separating the two rival teams, who will secure pole position?

F1, Abu Dhabi GP 2024: What’s the Weather Forecast for the Weekend?
No rain is expected over the weekend. On Friday, temperatures hovered around 27°C. Similar conditions are anticipated on Saturday, with temperatures remaining steady at 26°C and no rain expected during the evening session. However, strong winds are likely to persist.

Sunday is also expected to be a warm day, with temperatures around 26°C.

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Everything is ready at Yas Marina for the final free practice of the world championship: follow the LIVE commentary of the FP3 session of the 2024 Abu Dhabi GP of F1.

The battle between McLaren and Ferrari continues: in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the cars are preparing to hit the track for the final free practice session of the season. McLaren aims to confirm the positive feelings from Friday, while Ferrari searches for the right path to the top positions, still distant based on what was seen in Friday afternoon’s FP2.

F1 Standings: the championship will be decided in Abu Dhabi
There are 21 points separating the F1 constructors’ standings leader, McLaren, from their Ferrari rivals. The Prancing Horse chases the English team, but relying solely on themselves is not enough: to bring the world title back to Maranello, they must hope for some mistakes from the Woking team led by Andrea Stella. Both teams have the same number of podiums (20) and victories (5).

1) McLaren – 640 points
2) Ferrari – 619 points (+21)

Ferrari, uphill start in Abu Dhabi: Charles Leclerc penalized
Despite good intentions, the start of the Abu Dhabi weekend immediately delivers a blow to the Italian team. Charles Leclerc’s SF-24 experienced some issues during the first half of FP1, preventing the Monegasque driver from taking to the track for the session’s first half. Once the problem was identified, the men in red faced an unavoidable choice: replacing the battery pack proved inevitable. As a result, Charles Leclerc will serve a grid penalty for the Abu Dhabi GP: the Ferrari driver will start 10 places further back than his qualifying result.

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The second free practice session of the season finale is underway. Follow our live coverage of FP2 at the Abu Dhabi GP, where Ferrari and McLaren are battling for the Constructors’ Championship.

This second session of the Abu Dhabi GP is crucial, with Ferrari and McLaren fighting for the Constructors’ title at the last race. Only 21 points separate the teams in determining the winner. This afternoon session in the Emirates is fundamental, as the weather and timing closely replicate the conditions for qualifying and the race. Follow the critical FP2 session live from Abu Dhabi with us.

Ferrari arrives in Abu Dhabi aiming to break a curse and contend for the Constructors’ Championship. Since 2009, Ferrari has failed to secure a pole position or a victory at this circuit, although they came close in the last two editions. This year’s challenge looks similar, as the track characteristics don’t fully align with the strengths of the SF-24.

However, Ferrari has recently shown an ability to surprise, potentially overturning expectations heading into the weekend. Long, fast corners don’t appear to intimidate the SF-24, which already demonstrated impressive speed, particularly in the race, at Austin.

On the other side is McLaren, aiming to avoid mistakes and hold onto their lead. The MCL38 has shown remarkable adaptability to various circuits throughout 2024. Despite being involved in some “scandals,” McLaren has proven dominant on several occasions. However, numerous team and driver errors have diminished the points they’ve secured. The car, which has been the performance benchmark in 2024, has claimed relatively few victories.

Abu Dhabi could deliver a weekend with very close competition on track, especially between McLaren, Ferrari, and Verstappen. A blow came at the end of FP1 for Ferrari fans, with the news that Charles Leclerc will face a 10-place grid penalty for Sunday’s race due to a battery pack change.

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The last weekend of the 2024 championship kicks off, and everyone is ready to hit the track. Join us for live coverage of FP1 at the Abu Dhabi GP, a session dedicated to rookies but also crucial for Ferrari to better understand how the SF-24 will respond to the Yas Marina circuit with the Leclerc brothers on track.

For Ferrari, championship hopes are slim, but this won’t stop them from trying. In fact, even a one-two finish with the fastest lap might not be enough if McLaren secures fourth and fifth positions. (CLICK HERE FOR ALL SCENARIOS).

Nevertheless, the Maranello team believes in it and wants to give it their all to bring back a championship that has been missing in Italy for 16 years, since 2008. Back then, Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa were behind the wheel for Ferrari.

Charles Leclerc, during media Thursday, set the target for the season’s final race. “I think we need to do everything perfectly on our part, that’s for sure. And when I say everything perfectly, I really mean it—securing first and second place.”

Carlos Sainz, in his last race wearing red, also wants to give it his all. “Leaving Ferrari as constructors’ champion? That would mean everything to me, the best way to say goodbye to a team that has been my home for the past four years. However, being honest, making up 21 points in a single weekend against a strong team like McLaren will be tough; it requires perfection on our side and a suboptimal weekend from them. But nothing is impossible in racing.”

So, tune in and follow the live coverage of FP1, the first practice session of the Abu Dhabi GP.

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LIVE from the Qatar F1 GP, Ferrari must chase McLaren to keep the championship open: follow our live commentary of the race. Saturday’s qualifying gives pole position to a surprising Max Verstappen: Red Bull solves Friday’s issues and beats George Russell’s Mercedes. Right behind, the challenge between Maranello and Woking heats up.

Qatar’s qualifying has provided the first verdicts for the race. Max Verstappen will start from pole position, the star of the timed session, not without surprises. Red Bull seemed to be in trouble after the Sprint Race, but a decisive setup change appears to have corrected every flaw of the RB20. The Dutchman’s time is authoritative, making him a strong contender for victory in the race.

George Russell once again has to settle for second place. The Englishman is faster than the McLarens, but beating Lando Norris isn’t enough to start from the front row. Mercedes continues its strong form, preparing for a race that promises to be wide open. However, on Sunday, the Englishman will have to watch out for the aggressive McLaren and Ferrari teams.

The two title contenders themselves struggled during qualifying. The others’ rise meant that the SF-24 and MCL38 lost valuable positions. Overtaking will not be easy, given the Qatari circuit’s tendency to create DRS trains. The Sprint Race strategy, in fact, seemed to focus entirely on keeping rivals at bay.

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