The 2025 Formula 1 season kicked off in thrilling fashion at the Australian Grand Prix, but for Ferrari, it was nothing short of a disaster.
Italian media, known for their passionate coverage of the Scuderia, didn’t hold back in their criticism. Meanwhile, McLaren’s dominance and Max Verstappen’s relentless performance stole the headlines, with rookie Kimi Antonelli making a stunning debut.
Pre-season expectations suggested a tight battle between Red Bull, McLaren, Mercedes, and Ferrari. But in Melbourne, McLaren looked like the undisputed frontrunner.
The British team consistently set the pace throughout the weekend, with Lando Norris securing victory. However, the story could have taken a dramatic turn, as Verstappen nearly capitalized on a late-race mistake by both McLaren drivers.
Read also: The 10 Biggest Sponsors in Formula 1 - Ranked
Corriere della Sera captured the drama by stating that
“Kimi Antonelli is in a class of his own, a solid 9.5 for the Italian. Ferrari gets a 4. An 8 for Isack Hadjar’s tears. McLaren and Lando Norris were supreme, although Oscar Piastri only gets a 5 after his mistake. And what a race we saw in Melbourne! In the end, it was almost Max again, who nearly took full advantage of McLaren’s errors. He was the only driver who managed to come even remotely close to McLaren.”
Antonelli, making his F1 debut for Mercedes, impressed the Italian press with his composure in tricky conditions. “In the difficult conditions, he looked like a veteran instead of a rookie,” one report praised.
Meanwhile, Norris proved his growth as a driver, recovering from a brief off-track excursion to claim victory. But the real takeaway? McLaren has built a car that could seriously challenge Red Bull’s dominance.
Read also: The 20 Highest-Earning F1 Drivers on Instagram in 2025
Despite not winning, Max Verstappen continued to amaze. Italian media recognized that the Dutchman wrung every ounce of performance from his RB21, taking the fight to the seemingly superior McLarens.
Corriere dello Sport summed it up by stating that “Verstappen was a phenomenon again, there’s little else you can say about him. He drove very well and got more than the maximum out of his RB21. He put all the pressure on the McLarens, but they were simply too strong.”
