F1i's Driver Ratings for the 2025 Australian GP

Max Verstappen, Red Bull (P2): 9/10

Not a perfect race from Verstappen, but he managed to secure a very good result considering how dominant McLaren seem to be at the start of this season. A good start saw the Dutchman into P2 ahead of Piastri and put him in good stead, but an uncharacteristic lock up on lap 17 resulted in him dropping back down to third. He subsequently lost a heap of time to the frontrunning pair, but the second Safety Car allowed him to catch back up. Verstappen briefly held the lead after staying out in wet conditions for a couple more laps compared to Norris, but he was eventually forced into the pits for a change of tyres. Amidst the chaos he found himself in second again, and even managed to pick up DRS from the back of Norris although it was too little, too late for the defending Champion.

Lando Norris, McLaren (P1): 10/10

The perfect way to start the season for Norris. He vowed to maintain his Championship challenge into 2025, and appears to be in prime position to do so after a statement drive at the Australian Grand Prix. Of course, his McLaren car is clearly the dominant package and helped him claim victory, but Norris managed to extract the maximum and held off both Piastri and Verstappen during the race to start his 2025 campaign on the front foot.