Australian GP 2025: F2 main race cancelled due to rain

The main Formula 2 race scheduled for Sunday morning in Melbourne has been canceled due to heavy rain making the Albert Park circuit unmanageable. Despite several attempts, the weather conditions thwarted the organizers’ efforts.

This decision, although frustrating for the drivers and spectators who braved the weather, was deemed the only reasonable option given the extreme weather conditions that turned certain portions of the track into true ice rinks. With safety no longer guaranteed, the race management ultimately decided against continuing the race.

Chronology of the Cancelation

Initially scheduled for 11:30 local time, the race was first delayed as the rain intensified rapidly. At 11:54, race control announced a first formation lap behind the safety car, but insufficient visibility led to the deployment of the red flag.

After an additional ten-minute delay, a new attempt was organized. It was during this brief stint on the track that Campos Racing driver Oliver Goethe spun, demonstrating the dangerous conditions.

Faced with persistent rain, the race management tried to convert the event into a sixteen-minute timed race. It also confirmed that the regulations regarding mandatory pit stops would remain in effect if the race were to begin. However, this shortened race solution also proved impossible, and the definitive cancellation was announced shortly thereafter.

Impact on the championship

This cancellation is not without consequences for the 2025 championship, which is just beginning. For the first time in a long time, the Formula 2 season starts with a round missing its main race, the one that awards the most points.

Victor Martins (ART Grand Prix), who started from pole position following a three-place penalty given to Gabriele Mini for impeding Jak Crawford during qualifying, is thus deprived of a golden opportunity to take the lead in the championship. Nevertheless, the Frenchman leaves with the two points awarded to the pole-sitter.

Richard Verschoor, who was supposed to start alongside him on the front row, and Roman Stanek, last year’s Sprint race winner on the same circuit and qualified in third position, also see their chances of scoring big points disappear.

Duerksen surprise leader of the championship

Following this cancellation, the championship standings after the first round only reflect the results of the Sprint Race held on Saturday. Joshua Duerksen, a Paraguayan driver for AIX Racing, now leads the championship thanks to his victory secured the day before after an excellent start from the second position on the grid.

The Italian Leonardo Fornaroli, who managed to contain Luke Browning for second place, is in second place with eight points. The Briton completes the provisional championship podium with six points. Richard Verschoor, Roman Stanek, Sebastian Montoya, Gabriele Mini, and Pepe Martí also scored their first points of the season during this Sprint Race. A special mention also for Alex Dunne, who made a spectacular climb from 16th place on the grid to the final 9th position, narrowly missing out on scoring points.

F1 Under Close Surveillance

As Formula 2 closes the first truncated chapter of its 2025 season, F1 teams watch the sky anxiously, knowing that rain could completely overturn the hierarchy established during the qualifiers. If the conditions prove to be as challenging as they were for F2, it could herald a chaotic race with potential interruptions and an unpredictable outcome for this first Grand Prix of the 2025 season.

The next round of the Formula 2 championship will take place in Sakhir, Bahrain, from April 11 to 13, where drivers and teams hope for milder weather conditions to finally kick off their season fully.

2025 F2 Championship Standings after the Australian Grand Prix:

1. Joshua Dürksen – 10 points

2. Leonardo Fornaroli – 8 points

3. Luke Browning – 6 points

4. Richard Verschoor – 5 points

5. Roman Staněk – 4 points

6. Sebastián Montoya – 3 points

7. Gabriele Minì – 3 points

8. Victor Martins – 2 points

9. Pepe Martí – 1 point