In a post-race live room with readers, The Athletic's senior F1 writer discusses what he saw at the season's first race.

The first race of the 2025 Formula 1 season is just a few hours away. How will the drivers take to the grid? McLaren locked out the front row for the Australian Grand Prix, with Lando Norris capturing pole position just ahead of teammate — and hometown hero — Oscar Piastri.

However, the wet weather threw the Australian GP into chaos as Piastri slipped onto the grass and tumbled down the order, as Verstappen clinched P2 and George Russell crept up onto the final step of the podium.