McLaren’s Landnoris will begin the 2025 Formula One season and will win ahead of Max Barstappen at the Australian Grand Prix, which is affected by the eventful rain.
McLaren’s Rand Norris won the wet, wild Australian Grand Prix, holding back defending champion Max Verstappen with a white knuckle finish and endured the opening game of the Formula One season, with crashes and safety cars scattered around.
Mercedes’ George Russell was third on the slippery Albert Park circuit, with only 14 of the 20 cars finishing in dangerous situations in Sunday’s race.
A pre-season favorite in the driver’s title, Norris began his F1 season with a final finish in Abu Dhabi with a victory from pole.
His teammate Oscar Piastri placed second on the grid, but finished ninth. His dream of becoming the first home driver to claim a podium of victory or comfort ended with a skid to grass.
Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari debut proved a wet squib with teammate Charles Leclerc finishing second and Briton finishing 10th.
Norris, who claimed his first victory in Melbourne and the fifth victory of his career, said it was a difficult race for Verstappen to blow his breath into his neck.
“It was amazing. There was a tough race, especially Verstappen behind me,” he said.
“I was pushing, especially on the last two laps, which was a bit stressful and I wasn’t going to lie.
“This time I made it right and finished on the top, so I’m happy.”
Norris is leading the Formula 1 driver championship for the first time in his career. He is the first McLaren driver to lead the championship since Hamilton after the 2012 Canadian Grand Prix.
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