Yuki Tsunoda’s ‘magical lap’ delivers first big surprise of 2025 F1 season

The first two rows for Sunday’s season-opening Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix contain names expected to be in the fight for pole position during qualifying. McLaren locked out the front row with Lando Norris in P1 and Oscar Piastri in P2. Max Verstappen, the defending F1 Drivers’ Champion, will start third alongside George Russell in fourth.

Fifth is where we find one of our season’s first true stunners.

Yuki Tsunoda, thanks to a tremendous qualifying session, will start fifth in Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix, alongside one of the other surprises from qualifying, Alexander Albon.

It was a result that surprised even Tsunoda himself.

“I didn’t expect us to have this result today, I definitely wasn’t expecting to be P5, I was more expecting to be in the top 10,” said Tsunoda in the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls’ post-qualifying report. “I knew it would be a tight field, but the last lap was a pretty magical lap; I was able to put it all together. I got a little bit of help from Lando with a tow, so I’m appreciative of that. The lap time came a bit out of nowhere, but the car has been consistently good over the week.

“The team pushed really really hard, I’m surprised to be honest how much of a step up we’ve made since Abu Dhabi, you can tell from this result the hard work they’ve put in over the off season, so well done to them and the team at the factory,” added Tsunoda. “We know we’re going to have a bit of rain tomorrow, we’re prepared with the set-up of the car. I’m sure the car will perform well so I’m excited and confident, just have to stay focussed.”

The mood was also upbeat on the other side of the garage, as rookie Isack Hadjar pushed into Q2 and just missed out on Q3, as he will start his first F1 race in P11 alongside veteran Fernando Alonso.

“I’m quite happy today, and coming to this weekend, I’d have signed for this result in my first Qualifying in Formula One. I had a good feeling in Q1, and then in Q2, I lost a bit of lap time during my lap as I wasn’t as happy with the balance,” said Hadjar. “I know where I lost time, and that’s why I’m a bit frustrated. Albert Park is a very particular circuit, but this performance from us as a team with also Yuki in P5 shows we worked hard after Bahrain Testing, making some steps forward and allowing us to have a better understanding of the car.”

With rain in the forecast for the Grand Prix, Hadjar is on the cusp of a voyage of discovery.

“Looking at tomorrow where rain is forecast, I’ve never driven in wet conditions with all the other cars around, only once alone in a TPC [Testing of Previous Cars], so I can’t count on much experience, but instead it will be important to use the instinct and smartness,” added the rookie driver.

Racing Director Alan Permane summed up the mood at VCARB after qualifying.

“We are obviously very happy with today and how everything’s gone. First of all, starting with Isack, to be less than two-tenths off his teammate in Q2 is fantastic, so all credit to him for a really well managed weekend. We are certainly looking forward to seeing what he can do the rest of the season,” said Permane. “And then of course Yuki, just brilliant at simply perfect lap in Q3, fifth on the grid. It doesn’t get much better than that!

“We now look forward to see what we can do tomorrow.”