GO, GO, GO

Today is the day. It's when the first set of questions for the new Formula One season are answered on the track and against the clock.

It's not qualifying, but the two opening practice sessions at Albert Park will finally provide a genuine perspective after the 'phoney war' of testing in Bahrain.

The facts always play out. The teams are of excuses about different programs, different tyres and different fuel loads.

Day 1 of the 2025 Australian Grand Prix is when reality hits.

So here is what we know, what we think, and what we suspect:

McLaren: the experts say they are the favourites.

After years of troubles and turmoil, things came good for McLaren in 2024 and it moved back to the top of the pitlane pecking order.

Lando Norris and Aussie Oscar Piastri have put in a solid pre-season program without showing their ultimate speed, although anyone watching the race simulations from testing in Bahrain knows they have the potential pace to dominate at Albert Park.

Norris is the bookies' favourite for the 2025 world championship but he first has to deal with a fast and hungry teammate. Four victories and eight poles last year proved Norris was a major contender, but is he tough enough to beat Max Verstappen?

The biggest headache for McLaren in season 2025 could be managing the rivalry between Norris and Piastri, who could take points from each other and open the door or Verstappen – or someone else – to lift the drivers' crown.

All eyes on Ferrari.

Fred Vasseur has transformed team red from a squad that made bad strategy calls, with frustrated drivers who were often off the track, to an outfit that fought for the top spot in 2024. Adding Lewis Hamilton means the Scuderia is back as a real force, as he is hungry and wants nothing more than to bring success to Ferrari as chases a record eighth Formula 1 title. His signing has not only boosted the value of Ferrari on stock markets, but it has also captured the imagination of fans worldwide.

Charles Leclerc must defend his position as team leader, and do it quickly. He is fast in qualifying, popular inside the team and 2025 must be his year. If he can stitch together good results in early rounds, repeating Ferrari's dominance at Albert Park in 2024, he will be off and away.

Never forget Red Bull and mighty Max.

Never ignore Red Bull. Max Verstappen can become the first driver since Michael Schumacher to win five titles in a row in 2025 but, as yet, the team's true pace is an unknown. What is known is that Verstappen will be 100 per cent committed and he remains the absolute number one in the team after a dismal performance by Sergio Perez in 2024.

Liam Lawson is in an interesting position. Young and bold, he will want to star but his real job is to score solid points to ensure Red Bull team and Max fight for both world titles. Will the Antipodean curse from Dr Helmut Marko fall on Liam, as it has done for Mark Webber and Daniel Ricciardo? Let’s hope not.  

Crunch time for Russell at Mercedes.

George Russell emerges took the role of team spearhead last year and now has the heavy weight of leadership in the post-Hamilton era. He wants to contend for the title and, after years of underwhelming cars, will be hoping for a speedy racer in 2025.

Russell topped the final day of testing in Bahrain in a new Mercedes that looked quick and stable, so will be looking for a fast start to the title fight.

Team boss Toto Woolf had many options for a second driver but settled quickly on the young rookie Kimi Antonelli. He is described by some as a 'generational talent' in the style of Ayrton Senna or Verstappen.

Is Alpine best of the rest?

Pierre Gasly is the clear team leader at Alpine and was happy to see the departure of Esteban Ocon to Haas. He looked in good form in Bahrain and so did his Alpine.

Jack Doohan is under huge pressure in the second car after Flavio Briatore signed Argentinian Franco Colapinto as a reserve driver, but the tough young Aussie was chosen for his speed, consistency and commitment.

Gasly has proven pace so, if the car lives up to the early promise, both drivers need to be scoring points at Albert Park.

Williams springs the surprise.

Williams looks like the most-improved team, based on form from Bahrain. Which should put it solidly into the mid-field battle in F1.

The arrival of former Ferrari race winner Carlos Sainz, teaming with highly-rated Alex Albon, provides the team with the best driver lineup for many years.

Sainz set the fastest lap in a qualifying simulation during testing and the pair were close to the front in every session. Albon is experienced and having Sainz in the other garage will be good for him.

It would be good for Formula 1 to have Williams on the ascendency.

Aston is waiting for the Newey effect.

Superstar designer Adrian Newey is now at his new desk at Aston Martin, but his arrival was too late to guide the design of the 2025 car. So it will be interesting to see if he can exert any influence this year.

This year's campaign with veteran 43-year-old Fernando Alonso and unproven Lance Stroll is likely to be compromised and both drivers will face challenges.

There was nothing special through testing in Bahrain so it shapes as a tough year.

Haas banks on new drivers.

There is big change at the American team after green shoots in 2024 under new leadership.

Esteban Ocon has joined from Alpine while young Ferrari reserve driver Oliver Bearman steps up after some starring drivers last year.

The car was not quick in testing so it seems like a challenging season and a potential battle with Audi to avoid the wooden spoon. Melbourne will be tough.

Feisty times at Racing Bulls.

Yuki Tsunoda is a volatile character on the team radio, but new youngster Isack Hadjar could have him covered based on his explosive transmissions last year during his Formula 2 season.

Racing Bulls lost Liam Lawson to the 'big team' and chose Hadjar from the Red Bull Talent Pool for 2025. He finished runner-up in F2 last year and is undoubtedly quick, but must temper his emotions.

For the frustrated Tsunoda, who craved the spot alongside Verstappen, it could be his last year in Formula One as Honda moves to Atom Martin in 2026. So he will be fighting for his future as the team looks like enduring another tough year.

Sauber is in an Audi holding pattern.

The future Audi team is eyeing 2026 more than 2025 but needs to progress as best it can this year. Bahrain testing was lacklustre and the car looked a handful for both drivers.

Nico Hulkenberg is a sensible signing for the team with proven feedback and engineering expertise, as well as a tasty turn of pace. Teaming him with a rookie, the highly-rated F2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto is also a sensible strategy.

It's shaping as a very long year for these two, although management changes are underway including the arrival of former Red Bull star Jonathan Wheatley as team principal in April.