Lando Norris Oozes Class, Wins Rain-Hit Australian GP; Ferrari Flop In Lewis Hamilton’s First Race

Lando Norris kept his composure in an Australian Sunday at the opening of the season and the opening of the incidents on Sunday at the Max Verstappen world champion with Lewis Hamilton 10th during his beginnings in Ferrari. The Briton at Pôle took the checkered flag of less than a second from the Dutchman, with George Russell of Mercedes after a chaotic race in Melbourne who saw three pilots crash before the end of the first round. The security car was forced several times after a multitude of accidents on the wet circuit of Albert Park, Norris was held for a fifth victory at the Grand Prix and second consequence after having dominated the podium in the last 2024 race in Abu Dhabi.

The recruit of RB Isack Hadjar, Jack Doohan d’Alpine and Carlos Sainz de Williams – The winner of last year – all did not manage to finish the first round on a track made treacherous with an earlier torrential rain.

Norris has entered the season as a favorite for the title of pilots of 2025 and cemented his status as a man to beat.

“It was incredible, a higher race, especially with Max behind me. I pushed, especially the last two laps – it was a bit stressful, not lying,” said Norris.

“Delicate conditions, but there are those that are pleasant and we found ourselves at the top, so I am happy.”

Verstappen, which aims to become the second driver to win five consecutive world titles after Michael Schumacher, was in the hunt early, but an unusual error in Tour 18 brushed his chances until another security car puts him back in the context.

“It was a difficult race, but in the end, it was fun,” said the Dutch star.

“He was pushing, fighting for victory, but I’m just happy to bring him home, scoring good points and it’s a good start for us.”

Under the unpredictable conditions, with the Rain En Marche and deactivation, Alex Albon de Williams was a fourth encouraging in front of Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes during his beginnings.

Lance Stroll of Aston Martin was sixth in front of Nico Hulkenberg in a Sauber.

Charles Leclerc de Ferrari arrived eighth, with the Norris teammate, Oscar Piastri and Hamilton, completing the Top 10.

While the torrential rains released for the main event, the delicate conditions were at home when Hadjar skid and hit the wall on the formation of the formation and was released before the start of the race.

The Frenchman, at his beginnings, left the track clearly distraught.

The departure was prohibited and when the green lights finally lit, Norris, on intermediate tires, made a clean jump and kept its position in the first corner.

Maximum pressure

Verstappen also had a flying start and passed Piastri to go to second position while Leclerc increased two places in fifth place.

But the race was interrupted a few minutes later when Doohan plowed the wall, then the experienced sainz did the same during its beginnings in Williams.

They restarted after a security car with Norris holding its place in front of Verstappen and with Piastri, they started to lighten on Russell fourth.

With the drying of the track, Russell’s gap was eight seconds in the 13th round.

But with its tires starting to wear, Verstappen brushed the gravel in Tour 18 and Piastri went back in second position.

Norris and Piastri propelled 18 seconds ahead of the Dutchman before Fernando Alonso puts his Aston Martin in the wall on Tour 34 and the safety car was released.

All the teams took the opportunity to make their stops with Norris and Piastri emerging on Hards and Verstappen on the mediums.

After the safety car has taken off, Norris flew to an advance of two seconds before Piastri, growing hard, slipped on the grass to fall on the ground while Verstappen was fed.

But again, a security car was required when Liam Lawson de Red Bull turned, with Norris, Verstappen and Russell the first three to restart with seven laps.

Verstappen pressed Norris Hard for the victory when they left, but the Briton was able to hold on.