Opening round of the 2015 Formula One World Championship, notable for Max Verstappen's record as youngest F1 debutant at 17 years and 166 days.
Key Facts
- Race laps
- 58 laps
- Circuit
- Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne
- Winner
- Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
- Verstappen's age on debut
- 17 years and 166 days
- Australian GP edition
- 80th in combined history
- Hamilton pole positions at venue
- 4 (circuit record)
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The 2015 Formula One World Championship season opened in Melbourne, with Mercedes entering as the dominant constructor following their 2014 title. Lewis Hamilton, reigning world champion, qualified on pole for a record fourth time at the Albert Park Circuit, while Sebastian Vettel made his debut with Ferrari after departing Red Bull.
On 15 March 2015, Lewis Hamilton led throughout to win from pole, with team-mate Nico Rosberg finishing second in a Mercedes one-two. Sebastian Vettel claimed third for Ferrari on his first race for the team. The event also marked the Formula One debuts of Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz, both racing for Toro Rosso.
Hamilton's victory gave him an early championship lead, while Vettel's podium signalled Ferrari's renewed competitiveness. Verstappen's debut as the youngest driver in Formula One history foreshadowed his future dominance of the sport, and Sainz also went on to become a race winner in subsequent seasons.