MELBOURNE, Australia — In a dramatic and rain-affected race at the Australian Grand Prix, McLaren’s Lando Norris captured his first victory at Albert Park, narrowly edging out Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in a chaotic season opener. A third safety car introduced late in Sunday’s race added to the unpredictability, with Norris managing to maintain his lead through the tense final laps.
Lewis Hamilton had a challenging debut with Ferrari, finishing in 10th place and expressing frustration over constant radio communications from his team. The seven-time champion struggled to find his rhythm throughout the race.
Norris started in pole position for Melbourne’s first wet race since 2010. Despite initial pressure from fellow McLaren driver Oscar Piastri, who led the charge with several fastest lap times, the Australian driver faced a setback after spinning out at the penultimate corner of lap 44 due to intensifying rain, ultimately dropping down the rankings. He, however, staged a late comeback to secure a ninth-place finish, overtaking Hamilton on the final lap and scoring valuable championship points.
Verstappen, beginning from third on the grid, took full advantage of Piastri’s misstep and the subsequent safety car period, finishing merely 0.895 seconds behind Norris, while Mercedes’ George Russell completed the podium with a solid third-place finish.
Reflecting on his victory, Norris said, “I knew I had a good pace, but I made one mistake in turn six which allowed him to stay within that troublesome DRS range. But it’s only the first race, so it’s crucial we keep this momentum going into the long season ahead.” McLaren celebrated their 12th win in Australia, setting a new record over Ferrari.
For Williams, the race was a mix of outcomes. Alex Albon achieved his best result since 2020, while newcomer Carlos Sainz – victorious at this event for Ferrari last year – was eliminated at the opening lap.
Mercedes rejoiced over their success, placing both cars in the top five. Russell earned a podium finish for the first time since his victory in Las Vegas last year, while rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli impressed with a determined drive from 16th on the grid to finish fifth.
In the face of changing conditions, Lance Stroll of Aston Martin advanced from 13th to sixth, with Nico Hülkenberg of Sauber securing seven points in a challenging weekend for the team, given its struggles in dry conditions.
Ferrari, historically the most successful constructor in Australian Grand Prix history with 11 wins since 1987, left Melbourne dissatisfied. Charles Leclerc’s eighth-place finish alongside Hamilton’s 10th yielded a mere five points, underscoring significant work needed before the upcoming Chinese Grand Prix.
The race began with suspense when Racing Bull’s Isack Hadjar exited on the formation lap. Further drama unfolded as Alpine’s Jack Doohan and Sainz both exited on the first lap.
Only 14 drivers reached the finish line after incidents like Fernando Alonso’s crash on lap 34 and the retirements of Red Bull’s Liam Lawson and Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto, who collided with barriers in the treacherous wet conditions.
