A new era of F1 begins – Experience every epic moment with beIN SPORTS

Formula 1 has kicked off with a thrilling bang after the Australian Grand Prix delivered a fitting open to its landmark 75^th year. With new and old driver rivalries reignited and teams expectingly pushing themselves to the next level, the race at Albert Park has set the tone. The dust may have already settled in Melbourne, but this is only the beginning for what promises to be an action-packed and epic season.

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With many more twists and turns ahead, every race brings new battles—at the front, in the midfield, and among rising contenders. Here are three key things to look out for as the season unfolds.

1. Could this be Lando’s year?

McLaren are the favorites to win this year’s Constructors Championship and have provided both their drivers (Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri) with a very competitive car to take on Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. The latter’s pursuit of a fifth consecutive world title could be under threat with a hungrier-than-ever Norris who earned P1 in Australia—nine-tenths of a second faster than Verstappen. Could this be the year the gap between them is finally closed?

Piastri may have something to say about it too after being in good position to take P1 before a slip brought him near to the back of the pack. However, he still managed to recover with points at P9. Could Oscar shake things up at the top as a perennial dark horse? One thing’s for sure; it is going to be a fierce battle all season long.

2. Rookie reality check

Getting to Formula 1 is easier than staying there. A fresh wave of rookies has arrived on the grid this season, each facing immense pressure to prove they belong. Some have already shown flashes of brilliance, while others are still finding their footing in the unforgiving world of F1. Kimi Antonelli’s impressive P4 finish at the Australian Grand Prix has ignited enough excitement to keep Mercedes in the Constructors Championship conversation. Was this a one-off performance or a glimpse of a promising season that will take the Silver Arrows to the next level?

Meanwhile, Isack Hadjar of Racing Bulls and Ollie Bearman of Haas faced early challenges in their respective debuts, highlighting the steep learning curve that awaits many newcomers. Will these rookies rise to the occasion and cement their place in the sport, or will the relentless demands of motorsport’s biggest stage prove too much to handle? The fight for survival in F1 has never been more cutthroat.

3. A changing of the guard

This season’s grid is packed with fresh faces in new places, and the adjustment period is already yielding surprising results. Lewis Hamilton had an underwhelming debut with Ferrari, finishing P10, as he continues to adjust to an entirely new car and engineering team. Alex Albon’s standout P5 finish at Williams marked his best result yet with the team. Reports have also come out about how new teammate Carlos Sainz was instrumental in guiding Williams’ strategy that ultimately helped Albon secure his strong finish. On the other hand, Nico Hülkenberg wasted no time making an impact at Kick Sauber, scoring more points in one race than the team managed all of last season.

While we’re only one race down, these early performances could signal a shifting pecking order across the top and midfield. Are the Top 4 even safe anymore? As teams and drivers continue to find their rhythm, all eyes now turn to China—where the battle for supremacy is only heating up.

beIN SPORTS hosted the official Australian Grand Prix watch party in the Philippines at Mansion Sports Bar & Lounge bringing together members of the local motorsport community, from professional racers to casual viewers. Guests had an unforgettable race day that also included an F1 Trivia Quiz and a Reaction Time Challenge just like the F1 drivers do. This is just the first of many so stay tuned for more exhilarating events and activations designed to bring the thrill of F1 even closer to Filipino fans.

“beIN SPORTS is the official home of Formula One in the Philippines,” says Magdalene Ng, EVP of Marketing, Consumer, & Growth at beIN. “We are committed to making F1 more accessible than ever to Filipino fans and local motorsport community, giving them every opportunity to fuel their passion for the sport with our exclusive coverage and immersive experiences throughout the season. Along with our app, beIN SPORTS CONNECT, fans can continue experience every race live and on demand, ensuring they never miss a single moment of the high-stakes action with us.”

Be part of the action when you subscribe to beIN SPORTS CONNECT today. With monthly subscriptions starting at just Php 159, you’ll unlock a world of high-speed drama and exclusive F1 content.