Lando Norris showcased his mastery of treacherous, ever-changing conditions in a chaotic, action-packed Australian Grand Prix, fending off Max Verstappen to claim victory.
The McLaren team made the right strategic calls amid a race filled with crashes, three safety cars, and an aborted start. Norris delivered a statement drive, signaling his intent to contend for the world championship this season.
A late safety car brought Verstappen back into the fight, but Norris held firm to secure his fifth career win.
Lewis Hamilton’s debut for Ferrari proved challenging, as he finished 10th after a strategic misstep. Ferrari opted to keep Hamilton and Charles Leclerc on slick tires during a sudden downpour, a decision that saw them drop down the order after a forced pit stop under the final safety car.
Hamilton had briefly led on lap 46, but the miscalculation, compounded by Leclerc spinning at Turn 11 under the safety car, left both Ferraris scrambling. On the final restart, Leclerc overtook Hamilton, with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri also slipping past after recovering from his own late-race spin.
Mercedes’ 18-year-old rookie, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, delivered an impressive drive from 16th to finish fourth, with Williams’ Alex Albon taking fifth. Antonelli was initially penalized for an unsafe release but had the penalty overturned upon review.
McLaren anticipated Verstappen’s prowess in wet conditions but controlled the race from the outset. Norris and Piastri executed a strong performance, keeping the four-time champion at bay as the chaos unfolded behind them.
The drama started even before lights out when Racing Bull rookie Isack Hadjar spun on the formation lap, visibly distraught. The race’s start was delayed by 15 minutes, and when it finally got underway, Alpine’s Jack Doohan crashed on the straight, triggering an early safety car. Moments later, Carlos Sainz lost control of his Williams at the final corner, underlining the treacherous conditions.
Once the race settled, Norris led, while Verstappen initially passed Piastri for second, only to relinquish the position after a mistake at Turn 11 on lap 17, solidifying a McLaren one-two. Managing their intermediate tires better than Red Bull, Norris and Piastri built a commanding 16-second gap on Verstappen before a second safety car was deployed due to Fernando Alonso’s crash at Turn Six on lap 33.
As the field pitted for slicks, a looming rain shower added uncertainty. Norris wanted to switch to intermediates early but was advised to time the change correctly. When the downpour hit on lap 44, chaos ensued. Both McLaren drivers spun at the penultimate corner—Norris rejoined quickly and pitted, but Piastri got stuck in the grass, frantically spinning his tires before eventually reversing back onto the track.
Verstappen briefly inherited the lead but was forced to pit as conditions worsened. Ferrari’s fateful decision to keep Hamilton and Leclerc out on slicks proved disastrous—they skidded helplessly before diving into the pits, squandering their brief advantage.
Liam Lawson’s crash in the Red Bull and Gabriel Bortoleto’s mistake in the Sauber triggered another safety car. When the race resumed with five laps remaining, Norris nailed the restart but momentarily ran wide at Turn Six, allowing Verstappen to close in within DRS range.
Despite the pressure, Norris stayed composed to take the checkered flag, with Russell securing third behind Verstappen. Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll salvaged sixth after Alonso’s crash, followed by Sauber’s Nico Hülkenberg, Leclerc, Piastri, and Hamilton.
