Lando Norris claimed victory at the 2025 Formula 1 season-opening Australian Grand Prix on Sunday, finishing 0.895 seconds ahead of title rival Max Verstappen, Afrosport reports.
The race in Melbourne was hit by rain which created an early retirement for Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar and brought out the safety car before the race began.
Norris controlled the race in the early stages from his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri and Verstappen but things took a turn when a change in the weather conditions made Norris and Piastri spin which allowed Verstappen into the lead.
However with Verstappen opting to stay out in deteriorating conditions, Norris reclaimed the lead when the Red Bull driver came in for his inevitable pit stop.
A safety car period, caused by crashes for Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto and Red Bull’s Liam Lawson, saw Norris come under attack from Verstappen. The British driver was however able to do enough to hold on for the win.
Reacting to the win, Norris said: “It was amazing. A tough race, especially with Max behind me. I was pushing, especially the last two laps were a little bit stressful, but an amazing way to start the year.
“A tough one because we went off, made some big mistakes and went through the gravel and did a lot of damage. It was just tricky conditions, but these are the ones that are enjoyable and fun and unpredictable, but this time we got it right and we ended up on top, so I’m very happy.”
Leading the championship for the first time in his career 🙏 @LandoNorris #F1 #AusGP pic.twitter.com/0nFJMNQxmN
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 16, 2025
Meanwhile, Mercedes George Russell exploited the late drama to complete the podium ahead of rookie team mate Kimi Antonelli, who was given a five second time penalty for an unsafe release in the pitlane and dropped to fifth before the penalty was reversed.
Alex Albon finished an impressive fifth in the Williams while Lance Stroll finished sixth in the Aston Martin ahead of Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Piastri, while seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton completed the top 10 on his Ferrari debut.
