Report: Alex secures amazing result in Melbourne

Read all about Albono's stunning opening round drive in Australia

Published

16 MAR 2025

Est. reading time

3 min

Alex drove brilliantly in challenging and changeable conditions at Albert Park on Sunday to finish P5 – his best result at the team to date. Albono was delighted with the result as he crossed the line – after having to defend from various drivers across the entire length of the Grand Prix.

The start was delayed after a Racing Bull span out on the formation lap, and as the track continued to dry after torrential rain in the morning, it was clear that strategy would be a huge part of the day. Eventually the race did get underway – with every runner starting on the intermediate tyres – and Alex lost a place to Leclerc in the opening stages. However, he kept his cool as others struggled and, while there were further Safety Car periods, he maintained his position through the first round of stops on to slick tyres.

There was a sting in the tail, however, and with Alex running P7 in the closing stages, a short, intense rain shower hit the track – causing the entire field to dive back into the pits for wet tyres. The timing on this call was key – and Alex emerged, having taken the gamble to box earlier than several others, in P4. He was passed by Kimi Antonelli with less than two laps remaining, but the Italian was hit with a 5 second time penalty for an unsafe release – meaning Alex was promoted back up to 4th as he crossed the line. That promotion was only temporary, however, as Mercedes were successful in appealing their driver's penalty after the race.

Still, it was a fantastic result for Alex and the team, and he was ecstatic as he spoke to F1 TV in the aftermath; "I am very happy," he admitted. "Honestly, when you feel like the car's good and you feel like you're driving well, you just feel like you've got it covered, in a weird way. We've had these races before, and I knew that as a team we are good in these 'random' races, we get our elbows out".

"For the most part it's an opportunity. We've got the experience over our rivals. We know what it feels like to drive in these conditions and we know how hard it is. I was under-driving for most of that race because you don't know where that limit is, it's so hard to know. It's about knowing how much you're willing to put on the line".

The result gives Alex and the team huge confidence as they head immediately to China for Round 2 – what can Alex manage there?!

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UPDATE: After Mercedes' successful appeal of Kimi Antonelli's penalty for an unsafe release, Alex was relegated to the position in which he crossed the line in the Official Standings; P5. Still, a great result for him and for the whole team. Onwards to China!