Australian GP: Lando Norris pips Max Verstappen to first F1 2025 win in wet chaos with Lewis Hamilton 10th on Ferrari debut

15 March 2025, 13:42 | Updated: 16 March 2025, 14:03

Lando Norris just held off Max Verstappen to make the perfect start to his 2025 F1 world championship challenge by impressively winning a chaotic season-opening Australian Grand Prix featuring on-off rain and numerous crashes.

Norris, the pre-season title favourite, had led the majority of the 58 laps from team-mate Oscar Piastri at a slippery and blustery Albert Park as McLaren's qualifying dominance transferred into the rain-hit race, but his win appeared in jeopardy when the return of wet weather for the closing 15 laps triggered a fresh round of chaos.

Both McLarens briefly slid off the track in the final sector, but while Norris successfully rounded the next turn and immediately headed to the pits for intermediate tyres, home favourite Piastri spun into the grass and dropped to the back of the field.

Piastri eventually finished ninth, just ahead of Lewis Hamilton who endured a difficult debut race for Ferrari in 10th.

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