Formula 1 is back, and so are the paddock storylines as drivers and team bosses took on a bumper media day ahead of the Australian Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton was, understandably, talk of the town on Thursday as he approaches his official Ferrari debut in Melbourne, and spoke of his excitement while insisting that all the pressure was coming from within.
There was also adamance from last year's title rivals, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, that their respective teams weren't favourites heading into the season-opener -- while Toto Wolff affirmed Mercedes' faith in their current driver line-up rather than welcoming speculation about renewed talks with Red Bull's reigning drivers' champion.
Add to that preview lines from Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Jack Doohan and Charles Leclerc, and we're all set up for an intriguing weekend, with the track action starting on Friday around Albert Park ahead of Sunday's race.
But the newslines weren't the only things lighting up our Thursday. Check out the best pictures and videos as the back-to-school vibes ran wild in Melbourne.
Channeling the Aussie spirit 🦘🇦🇺#F1 || #AusGP pic.twitter.com/epG7HhdlyC
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) March 13, 2025
Lewis Hamilton reveals his hopes for his first Grand Prix with Ferrari in Australia.
George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli speak ahead of the opening F1 race of the 2025 season.
Starting the day in true Aussie style 🏖️ pic.twitter.com/SjRCzHRJIa
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) March 13, 2025