Lando Norris held off Max Verstappen in a thrilling, rain-soaked Australian Grand Prix, delivering McLaren an unforgettable victory to start 2025.
The forecasts were spot-on—the Australian Grand Prix kicked off Formula 1’s 2025 season under stormy skies. After two sunny days, heavy rain turned Melbourne’s Albert Park into a challenging aquatic battlefield on Sunday.
Earlier, the Formula 2 race had to be canceled due to excessive standing water, raising fears of a similar scenario for the main event. Fortunately, the skies cleared just enough for an unforgettable F1 season opener.
Drama Before the Start
McLaren dominated qualifying, with Lando Norris securing pole ahead of teammate and home favorite, Oscar Piastri, followed by Max Verstappen in third. Wet conditions saw immediate drama—rookie Isack Hadjar crashed during the formation lap, prematurely ending his race, while delays due to safety concerns pushed back the race start twice.
Chaotic First Laps
When racing finally got underway, Norris made a perfect start, maintaining the lead, but Verstappen quickly challenged, overtaking Piastri. Behind them, chaos ensued: rookies struggled as Jack Doohan crashed out early, bringing out the safety car. Moments later, Carlos Sainz spun into the wall, highlighting just how challenging the conditions were.
Norris Holds Firm Amid Pressure
Once racing resumed, Norris expertly managed relentless pressure from Verstappen, who aggressively pursued the lead. Piastri stayed close, turning the top three into a thrilling battle through rapidly drying conditions. Several drivers, including Alonso, Tsunoda, and Hamilton, faced investigations for safety car rule infringements, but all were eventually cleared.
Battle of Tires and Nerves
Mid-race uncertainty over the weather forced strategic gambles. Verstappen’s tire struggles eventually allowed Piastri to retake second place after a rare mistake from the Red Bull star. Meanwhile, Norris maintained composure at the front despite continuous threats of further rain.
A late crash by Fernando Alonso triggered another safety car period, causing strategic chaos. Teams split on tire choices, hoping to capitalize on uncertain conditions. Verstappen briefly took the lead thanks to aggressive tire tactics, but as the rain intensified, it quickly became clear intermediates were essential, prompting a flurry of pit stops.
Final Showdown
In a thrilling conclusion, Norris and Verstappen fought wheel-to-wheel in drying conditions, Norris holding on by less than a second to secure an epic victory for McLaren.
Behind the intense battle for victory, George Russell claimed an unexpected podium for Mercedes. Alex Albon took an impressive fourth for Williams, their best result since 2021.
Antonelli Shines as Rookies Falter
Debutant Andrea Kimi Antonelli had a remarkable race, finishing fifth despite a 5-second penalty. His performance stood out on a challenging day for rookies, who otherwise struggled in tricky conditions.
This season opener at Melbourne will certainly go down as one of the most memorable, full of twists, thrills, and remarkable drives. Norris and McLaren made a clear statement: they’re ready to fight in 2025.
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Diff | Stop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Lando Norris | McLaren Mercedes MCL39 | 57 Laps – 1h56m33.291s | 2 |
| 02 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Honda RBPT RB21 | +0.895 | 2 |
| 03 | George Russell | Mercedes W16 | +8.481 | 2 |
| 04 | Alex Albon | Williams Mercedes FW47 | +12.773 | 2 |
| 05 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes W16 | +15.135 | 2 |
| 06 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin Mercedes AMR25 | +17.413 | 2 |
| 07 | Nico Hülkenberg | Stake F1 Kick Sauber C45 | +18.423 | 2 |
| 08 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari SF-25 | +19.826 | 2 |
| 09 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren Mercedes MCL39 | +20.448 | 2 |
| 10 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari SF-25 | +22.473 | 2 |
| 11 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine Renault A525 | +26.502 | 2 |
| 12 | Yuki Tsunoda | Racing Bulls Honda RBPT VCARB 02 | +29.884 | 2 |
| 13 | Esteban Ocon | Haas Ferrari VF-25 | +33.161 | 2 |
| 14 | Oliver Bearman | Haas Ferrari VF-25 | +40.351 | 2 |
| 15 | Liam Lawson | Red Bull Honda RBPT RB21 | DNF | 1 |
| 16 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Stake F1 Kick Sauber C45 | DNF | 2 |
| 17 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin Mercedes AMR25 | DNF | 0 |
| 18 | Carlos Sainz | Williams Mercedes FW47 | DNF | 0 |
| 19 | Jack Doohan | Alpine Renault A525 | DNF | 0 |
| 20 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls Honda RBPT VCARB 02 | DNF | 0 |
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McLaren Shines, Norris Edges Verstappen in Wet Thriller! McLaren Shines, Norris Edges Verstappen in Wet Thriller!