Australian GP 'plunged into late chaos' as FIA set to make late decision

The first Formula One race of the 2025 is facing a major issue, leaving the FIA with a big decision that could change everything.

In the early hours of Sunday morning, the lights will go out for the first F1 race of 2025 as the grid compete at the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit in Melbourne, Australia.

Saturday's qualifying session saw McLaren secure a 1-2 with Lando Norris starting in pole position ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri and reigning champion Max Verstappen who will start the race in third.

But a new report has claimed that the race is under serious jeopardy, leaving F1's governing body with a major decision.

During free practice and qualifying sessions this week, drivers had to deal with scorching hot temperatures, but this is not expected to be the case on Sunday as heavy rain has been forecast in Melbourne.

While initially this may excite fans given the added chaos rain can bring to a race weekend, it has now been reported the the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), are now considering the severe impact rain could have to Sunday's race programme.

According to Racing News 365, the governing body are expecting heavy rain with potential of a thunderstorm and therefore could look into delaying the start time of the season-opening race.

As it stands, the rain is not anticipated to be heavy enough to force a delay to the race start, but with the situation seen as volatile, this could change ahead of the scheduled start time of 3 p.m. local time (4am GMT).

Should the race be delayed, the FIA are keen to ensure that the entire race will still be run and will ensure that the delay does not mean that the race coincides with the sunset time over Melbourne.

Lando Norris will start in pole position for the Australian Grand Prix. (Image: Getty)

All 20 drivers and staff for their teams were made aware of the possible delay during a briefing following the conclusion of practice on Friday.

If the race is to go ahead as planned, it could offer Verstappen a chance to further outperform his car and win the race as heavy rain would likely wipe out McLaren’s dominant advantage over the rest of the grid.

It will also offer a great opportunity to Racing Bulls driver Yuki Tsunoda and Williams' Alex Albon after the pair impressed in qualifying, putting themselves into fifth and sixth for Sunday's race.