Three months after the 2024 season finale in Abu Dhabi, it’s once again time for lights out in Melbourne. As the season opener for the 2025 Formula 1 calendar, this race has been long-awaited by fans, and myself, for good reason. With a new line-up of cars, six rookies making their hopeful debut and a rainy forecast, what can go wrong?

After getting off the tram at Anzac station, it’s only a couple minutes’ walk to one of Albert Park’s entrances. The ease and accessibility with which patrons can travel to the race is a pleasant start to the day. Unfortunately, the heavy rain has made its early appearance this afternoon. The muddy ground at the gate welcomes us—a premonition to the nasty fate our poor Onitsuka Tigers are about to go through. Not pictured: how drenched I am already, despite wearing a kid-sized poncho.

We situate ourselves at the straight after Turn 8, which turns out to be a pretty decent spot. It’s 12:35 pm and while the rain has slowly died down to a light drizzle, the track is still undoubtedly wet. Formula 2, F1’s main feeder series, endures a series of delays until its eventual cancellation. We’re gutted for the drivers as their hard preparation for their own season opener takes a hit. Half an hour later, track marshals line up in anticipation for the incoming Drivers’ Parade, adding to our excitement at finally seeing the 20 drivers.

Similar to last year, the Drivers’ Parade involves two sets of pick-ups driven round the track which the drivers stand on as they greet fans. It’s very much like the chariot rides from the Hunger Games, only with less budget. Previous years have seen an iteration where drivers sit atop individual vintage cars, and I only hope something similar returns in the near future. After a delusional wave to our favourite drivers, we fuel up with tacos from the Pitstop Park precinct. The rainfall starts picking up once more, and the lack of umbrellas or roofs for general admission ticket-holders to seek shelter from becomes frustratingly obvious.

Not long before the race starts, we begin our hunt for a good view. Having a Park Pass (GA) ticket means you’re granted the ability to move freely around the circuit. But, this also means having great viewing mounds packed with fans from early on in the morning, especially as we’re not afforded assigned seats like premium ticket-holders. I see other fans get creative, some even standing on top of bins.

It’s fun relying on old-school methods to figure out our way to the viewing area at Turn 2. Phone signal at Albert Park is almost always nonexistent, so virtual circuit maps are a no-go. Instead, we rely on hunting physical map stands around the circuit and identifying which part of the track is in front of us. Thanks to our hopeless attempt at navigating, paired with the increasing rain and our shoes squelching across mud (the yellow on my shoes now a proud brown), what should’ve been an easy walk to Turn 2 becomes a trek spanning half the circuit.

It wasn’t all mud though. We stop by the Melbourne Junction and Lakeside precincts where F1-themed activations are buzzing with fans despite the weather. We unabashedly take photos on the podium display, posing on the top spot. Unfortunately, due to the rain some activities we were looking forward to—such as the racing simulators—are covered and unavailable for use. Corporations like La Roche Posay generously give away mini sunscreen tubes, and who doesn’t love a good freebie?

Minutes before lights out, we slither through the crowded viewing mound just after Turn 2. While cheering on the cars during their formation lap, rookie Isack Hadjar (RB) loses control in the rain and goes into the wall. It’s a heartbreaking end to his strong qualifying result the day before, preventing what could have been an exciting debut. The race is delayed for another ten minutes. As they return to race, pole-sitter Lando Norris (McLaren) pulls away on the first lap while cars behind overtake one another. Not too long after, rookie Jack Doohan (Alpine) goes off into the barriers. The safety car makes its return to the track. We think the chaos will end there, yet once again, another car meets its end at the wall—none other than Carlos Sainz in his Williams debut. Three cars have already retired before the second lap. From here on, the race proves itself to be worthy of the season opener title with its mayhem and unpredictability.

One of the best parts of the Grand Prix is, of course, experiencing the thrill of the cars in front of you. The thrum of the engine and the smell of burnt rubber never get old. 57 laps, six driver DNFs, and controversial team radios later—the race concludes with Norris’ win, closely followed by Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and George Russell (Mercedes) rounding up the podium.

We immediately sprint towards the nearest track walk entry in anticipation of the fan tradition of invading the track—a practice that was banned after dangerous fan misbehaviour in 2023, but was lifted this year. Already, a sizable crowd of eager fans has formed by the entrance. Fifteen minutes later the gate opens, and adrenaline fuels us to run for the podium. It is pretty much a free-for-all situation, and at some point I realise how unhinged we must look, especially for the Hospitality and Grandstand ticket-holders sitting amidst the frenzy. I luckily find myself parked right under the start lights with a good view of the top three’s podium ceremony. Not even a second after the champagne celebrations, another stint of heavy rain falls on us once more—a fitting way to end the day.

While my choice of clothing mixed with the storm proved to be a disaster, this year’s race was undoubtedly a special experience. A core memory, for sure.