The Master of the Wet Weather Race: Norris’ Triumph in Australia

Lando Norris kept his composure in treacherous, rain-soaked conditions at the Australian Grand Prix to claim a remarkable victory. In a dramatic, incident-filled opening race of the season, Norris held off World Champion Max Verstappen to take the checkered flag with Lewis Hamilton finishing 10th on his much-anticipated Ferrari debut.

Administrator

22 March, 2025

Lando Norris held his nerve to win a dramatic season-opening Australian Grand Prix on Sunday, holding off Max Verstappen to get his Formula One title bid off to a dream start.

The McLaren driver took the chequered flag by less than a second from the Red Bull world champion, with Mercedes’ George Russell third after a chaotic race in Melbourne.

Norris, who came into the season as favourite for the 2025 drivers’ title, cemented his status as the man to beat after a string of accidents on the wet Albert Park circuit.

“It was a top race, especially with Max behind me. I was pushing, especially the last two laps — it was stressful,” said Norris.

“Tricky conditions, but enjoyable and we ended up on top so I’m happy.”

Verstappen, aiming to become only the second driver to win five straight world titles, was in the hunt early but an uncharacteristic error on lap 18 dented his chances.

“It was a difficult race but fun at the end,” said the Dutch star. “Pushing, fighting for the win, but I’m happy to bring it home and score good points.”

In the unpredictable conditions, with rain on and off, Mercedes’ rookie Kimi Antonelli was an impressive fourth on his debut, with Williams’ Alex Albon fifth.

Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll was sixth, ahead of Nico Hulkenberg’s Sauber, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc a disappointing eighth.

Norris’ teammate Oscar Piastri, who had looked set for second, slipped back to ninth after a late skid, with Lewis Hamilton rounding out the top 10.

Russell was pleased to come home third given the circumstances.

“It was great to come home in P3. Well done to Lando — a race like that when you’re leading is probably your worst nightmare,” he said.

The race got off to a dramatic start when RB rookie Isack Hadjar skidded and hit the wall on the formation lap, forcing the start to be aborted.

When the lights finally went green, Norris made a clean jump from pole and held his position into the first corner, with Verstappen also flying to pass Piastri and move up to second.

But the race was soon interrupted again when Alpine’s Jack Doohan and Williams’ Carlos Sainz, last year’s winner, both crashed out on the treacherous track.

Norris held his lead after a safety car restart, with Verstappen and Piastri pulling clear of Russell in fourth.

Verstappen, struggling with tyre wear, then brushed the gravel on lap 18, allowing Piastri to flash past into second.

Norris and Piastri powered ahead, building an 18-second lead over Verstappen before another safety car was required when Fernando Alonso crashed his Aston Martin.

All the leading cars pitted, with Norris and Piastri emerging on hard tyres and Verstappen on mediums.

Norris flew into a two-second lead after the safety car peeled off, but Piastri’s challenge ended when he skidded onto the grass and dropped down the field, allowing Verstappen through into second.

A late safety car, required when Red Bull’s Liam Lawson spun, set up a grandstand finish, with Verstappen pressing Norris hard but unable to find a way past.