MELBOURNE, Australia — Lando Norris held off the valiant challenges of four-time Formula 1 champion to win the season-opening Australian Grand Prix Sunday at the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit.
Norris started his McLaren from the pole and won a race that featured mixed weather conditions, multiple crashes, Safety Cars and a late-race downpour.
Norris controlled the early stages of the contest but an encountered McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen on a sodden track, before improving conditions enabled a switch to slick tires over the second half.
However, shortly after the field had ditched their intermediates, another patch of heavier rain soaked the circuit once more, dramatically sending both McLarens onto the grass and bringing most drivers immediately back into the pits for suitable rubber.
While Norris managed to gather his car and head into the pit lane, Piastri spun off at the penultimate corner and lost a heap of time trying to recover the situation – a chain of events that released reigning World Champion Verstappen into the lead.
However, with Verstappen still on slicks and conditions continuing to deteriorate, it was inevitable that his own pit stop would be required and, when that duly happened, Norris reclaimed a lead.
Norris held off Verstappen’s Red Bull by .895 seconds for the victory.
“It was amazing, thank you,” Norris said post-race. “A tough race, especially with Max behind me. I was pushing. The last two laps were a little bit stressful: I’m not going to lie. But an amazing way to start the year. A tough one because we went off, made some big mistakes. I went through the gravel, a lot of damage. Just tricky conditions, but these are the ones that are enjoyable, fun, and unpredictable. This time, we got it right and ended up on top. So, I’m very happy.”
Verstappen was less pleased with second.
“I just tried my best, tried to be close, tried to put a bit of pressure on, but it’s very hard to pass around here,” Verstappen said. “There was only one line. Even if I had gotten a run into whatever, Turn 9, you have to go onto the wet part, so you can’t really do a lot. But at least it was close. It looked good on TV.”
Mercedes drivers George Ruessell finished third and fourth, while Alexander Albon came home fifth for Williams.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton was 10th in his debut with the Ferrari team.
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