P1racenews AI automatic summary:
McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are relishing Australia being the season-opening race in F1 in 2025 due to the team’s past struggles in Bahrain.
The Albert Park Circuit will return as the curtain raiser this weekend after missing the status since the cancellations in 2020 and 2021 due to a pandemic. Bahrain had taken on that role recently, exposing McLaren’s limitations on low-speed turns. The team hasn’t had a podium at Albert Park since 2010, but had a promising performance last year. With hopes to secure a championship double this season, driver Norris sees Australia as an opportunity for a good start, contrasting it with their struggles in Bahrain. Home hero Piastri agreed, noting that the Melbourne circuit is a better indicator for their performance with its smoother surface compared to Bahrain’s rough asphalt. Both drivers are looking forward to the change in scenery and are optimistic about their prospects at the upcoming race.
