Wild start & crash festival: Norris wins in the end

In the rain and slippery chaos of Melbourne, vice world champion Lando Norris won the race opening of the new Formula 1 season.

March 16, 2025

From: apa/sn

The Briton from McLaren relegated defending champion Max Verstappen to second place in a highly entertaining and eventful Australian Grand Prix. George Russell in his Mercedes finished third in the race held under extremely difficult conditions at the Albert Park Circuit.

However, the first home victory for an Australian was once again a failure: Norris' teammate Oscar Piastri was first doomed by a team order and then his own slip-up. He ultimately finished ninth.

Hamilton disappointed, Hülkenberg strong

The first race of the new season was marked by crashes and numerous retirements. The safety car was in constant use. The first major test for record world champion Lewis Hamilton in the Ferrari ended in disappointment and with swearing. The 40-year-old seven-time champion finished only tenth, even after a brutal maneuver by teammate Charles Leclerc in the closing stages. In contrast, Nico Hülkenberg, in his first race since returning to Sauber, drove the inferior car to seventh place and thus into the points.

Lewis Hamilton had a disappointing Ferrari debut. © APA/afp / WILLIAM WEST

As if this season didn't promise enough excitement already, the very first race encountered extremely difficult conditions. The day before, Norris raced to pole position ahead of Piastri and Verstappen in temperatures around 33 degrees Celsius and a slightly overcast sky. Then on race day, rain, wind, and just 15 degrees Celsius. In short: Verstappen weather.

However, even the defending champion had to wait a while – because, of all drivers, one of Red Bull's second team crashed into the barrier on the formation lap. In turn two, Isack Hadjar lost control of his Racing Bull at a reasonable speed. That was the end for the 20-year-old Frenchman – one of six young drivers who started their first season as regular drivers. On the way to his team, the deeply saddened Hadjar was comforted by Hamilton's father, Anthony.

Three crashes right at the start

The remaining 19 drivers made their way to the second attempt. They managed to make it, but shortly after Verstappen had already overtaken Piastri, the next driver crashed: Jack Doohan, 22, the new Alpine driver. But a veteran driver also got caught out straight away: Carlos Sainz crashed into the track wall in his Williams, even behind the safety car. Retirement number three before the third lap.

Rain again in the final phase

The next crash triggered another safety car deployment: The culprit was 43-year-old two-time world champion Fernando Alonso in his Aston Martin. So, a quick pit stop for a tire change. Verstappen was the only one in the front group to opt for the medium-hard slicks, while everyone else opted for the harder ones. However, the safety car stayed out so long that the next rain forecast arrived. And it was quite something: heavy rain.

Isack Hadjar's Racing Bull was just one of many cars that didn't finish. © ANSA / Joel Carrett

No sooner had he spoken than Piastri slid off the track and into the grass. The safety car had already been deployed, and everyone was playing cards. In the sliding race at Albert Park, rookie Gabriel Bortoleto in the Sauber and Verstappen's new teammate Liam Lawson then caused the next safety car period. When the race was restarted, the sun even came out. Verstappen got close to Norris again, but it wasn't enough to overtake.