George Russell confident in Mercedes’ progress but finds McLaren favourites heading into the Australian Grand Prix. Mercedes endured a mixed 2024 campaign, showing flashes of brilliance with four race wins, including a 1-2 finish in Las Vegas, but also struggling with inconsistency. Kimi Antonelli is preparing to make his Formula 1 debut with the team. The Italian teenager is excited but keeping his expectations in check ahead of the race weekend at Albert Park in Melbourne. He is already familiar with the track, having raced there in Formula 2 last year. The 24-race calendar in 2025 will see a record number of races, with the first race taking place in Melbourne on March 13, 2025. It will be the first time that the calendar has been extended to 24 races in a single season, following the success of the 1990s and 1990s. The first race of the 2025 season will be held in Singapore on March 14. The Australian Grand GP will be broadcast live on ABC1 from 2pm on Sunday, March 13.