Lando Norris claims maiden Australian GP victory as Max Verstappen finishes second

Lando Norris claimed his first-ever Australian Grand Prix victory in a dramatic rain-affected race at Albert Park on Sunday. The McLaren driver held off Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in the closing laps, finishing just 0.895 seconds ahead after a late safety car reshuffled the order.

Starting from pole, Norris faced stiff competition, particularly from teammate Oscar Piastri, who posted multiple fastest laps before being instructed to hold position. However, Piastri spun at the penultimate corner on lap 44 as rain intensified, dropping down the order before recovering to ninth place. The result secured McLaren’s 12th win in Australia, surpassing Ferrari’s previous record.

“I knew I had a good pace, but I made one mistake in turn six and he got me in the DRS," Norris said. "We need to go and do it again next weekend and continue from there. A long season ahead, we’ve just got to keep our head down and keep pushing.”

Ferrari’s disappointment as Hamilton struggles on debut

Lewis Hamilton endured a frustrating debut with Ferrari, finishing 10th. The seven-time champion was visibly irritated by constant pit wall radio messages. Ferrari, the most successful constructor at Albert Park with 11 wins, left Melbourne with just five points after Charles Leclerc finished eighth.

Mercedes duo impress as rookies shine

Mercedes had a strong outing, with George Russell finishing third—his first podium since his Las Vegas victory last season. Rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli, replacing Hamilton at the Silver Arrows, impressed with a charge from 16th to fifth.

Williams’ Alex Albon secured his best result since Abu Dhabi 2020, while Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll capitalised on the chaotic conditions to finish sixth. Sauber’s Nico Hülkenberg secured seventh place, bringing crucial points for his team.

Race marred by multiple crashes

The wet conditions led to numerous incidents, with only 14 cars finishing the race. Racing Bull’s Isack Hadjar retired on the formation lap, while Alpine’s Jack Doohan and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz crashed out on the first lap. Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso hit the barriers on lap 34, while Red Bull’s Liam Lawson and Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto crashed out 10 laps from the end.

The Formula 1 season now moves to the Chinese Grand Prix, where Ferrari will seek to recover from a disappointing start.