Lando Norris claimed victory in the 2025 Formula One season opener, securing his first-ever Australian Grand Prix win for McLaren in a thrilling race at Albert Park on Sunday.
The British driver held off reigning world champion Max Verstappen in a tight finish, crossing the line just 0.895 seconds ahead of the Red Bull driver. George Russell completed the podium for Mercedes, finishing 8.481 seconds behind the leader.
“It’s an amazing way to start the season,” Norris said. “The car felt great, and we managed to keep Verstappen behind, which is never easy.”
A Tight Battle Up Front
Norris controlled the race in the closing stages after an intense fight with Verstappen, who struggled to find a way past. Russell ran a solid race to secure third, with Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli impressing in fourth on his Formula One debut.
Alexander Albon continued Williams’ strong form, finishing fifth, while Lance Stroll, Nico Hulkenberg, Charles Leclerc, Oscar Piastri, and Lewis Hamilton rounded out the top ten.
It was a disappointing day for Ferrari, with Leclerc managing only eighth, while Hamilton, now racing for the Scuderia, finished tenth in his first race since leaving Mercedes.
Early Drama and Retirements
The race saw multiple retirements, including Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz, Liam Lawson, Isack Hadjar, Jack Doohan, and Gabriel Bortoleto. Sainz suffered a mechanical issue, while Alonso’s Aston Martin failed to finish after a collision.
Championship Standings
With his win, Norris leads the drivers’ standings with 25 points, followed by Verstappen on 18 and Russell on 15. In the constructors’ battle, McLaren and Mercedes are tied on 27 points, with Red Bull in third on 18.
Formula One now heads to Saudi Arabia for the second round of the 2025 season, where Verstappen will look to respond after missing out on the opening race win.
Reporting by Agence France-Presse.
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