Lando Norris praised McLaren’s “amazing car” after overcoming unpredictable conditions to beat reigning champion Max Verstappen and win the F1 Australian Grand Prix 2025 in the first race of the new Rofmula One season.
In a Melbourne contest featuring three safety cars and a botched start, Norris, who started on pole, held off a late challenge from Red Bull’s Verstappen, who had closed in on him following a safety car.
The moment @LandoNorris crossed the line to win in Australia! 🇦🇺👀#F1 #AusGP pic.twitter.com/YGuL05IMki
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 16, 2025
“It was a tough race, especially with Max behind me,” said Briton, who had to regain the lead late on but followed the correct tactics by switching to intermediate tyres at that point.
“The last two laps were a little bit stressful, but it’s an amazing way to start the year. These are the ones that are fun and enjoyable and unpredictable.”
Oscar Piastri. Round the outside of Turn 9. 😮💨
What a move on Lewis Hamilton to take P9 💪 pic.twitter.com/raO48te7fb
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) March 16, 2025
Australian Grand Prix 2025: ‘Just round one’
Norris is the odds-on favourite to deny Verstappen a fifth consecutive title ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix on September 23.
“I need to give a big thanks to McLaren, because they’ve given me an amazing car,” he said. “It’s not easy to put together a weekend like this, especially when I’ve got a lot of pressure from Max and Oscar.
“They’re hungry and competitive and want it just as badly. I know what I’m capable of and what I can do. It’s just round one.”
All the emotions from the McLaren garage during *that* rain shower 😅😳😔 pic.twitter.com/zuKqth0zDl
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) March 16, 2025
Australian Grand Prix results
Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton led on lap 46 but was thwarted by rain after the Ferrari debutant’s team wrongly opted to persist with dry-weather slick tyres, finishing 10th.
Verstappen, who started on pole in Australia in 2024 but retired after four laps, called the latest edition “difficult but fun”.
ABORTED START! ❌
Isack Hadjar crashes on the formation lap 😟 pic.twitter.com/6I9ODvOUG9
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) March 16, 2025
“I got close, but it’s very hard to pass around here,” he added. “I’m just happy to bring it in and score good points.
“It’s a decent starting point for us. It was worth a gamble. It was quite spicey out there, with the slick tyres. We were lacking a little bit of pace compared to the McLaren, but it’s 18 points more than I had here last year.”
IT’S LIGHTS OUT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 2025 🚥
Chaos in the Melbourne rain as Max passes Oscar for P2, and the safety car deployed as Jack Doohan crashes out! 💥 pic.twitter.com/RjNkWhiFPH
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) March 16, 2025
George Russell: McLaren ‘out in front’
Mercedes’ George Russell was third. “It wasn’t our strongest weekend, but we’re super happy to end up on the podium,” he said, having finished immediately ahead team-mate Andrea Kimi Antonelli after a penalty against the 18-year-old was reversed.
Race 1 ✅
Here’s the finishing order from a wild season opener, kicking off with the top ten 👇#F1 #AusGP pic.twitter.com/vXKDv29as6
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 16, 2025
“It was good fun. I quite enjoyed it because I was hoping the two guys ahead would make a mistake and I could slip through.
“All things considered, it’s been a really good weekend. We know McLaren are out in front at the moment, but it’s a strong result.”
