2025 Australian GP results: Lando Norris claims victory in dramatic rain-hit Albert park as McLaren's Bold strategy pays off

The 2025 Australian Grand Prix was a disaster for many drivers as the rain made a huge impact on the race track, which made the conditions very difficult for the drivers to control the car. The team gamble didn't work, as many drivers struggled to know the conditions and the right tyres.

On the formation lap, VCARB driver Isack Hadjar had a crash, which was the first crash. His car spun on the rear and hit the wall, damaging his rear wings. He was heartbroken and cried on the pit wall, and Lewis Hamilton’s father Anthony was the first to console him. That was just the start as home driver Jack Doohan ran over the slippery white line, hit the wall and crashed out of the race. Within minutes, Carlos Sainz, the reigning Australian Grand Prix winner, also crashed out of the race with a similar incident. 

Check 2025 Australian GP race  results

Race Summary

The race started with Max Verstappen overtaking Oscar Piastri, who was struggling with his grip due to the rain, and Verstappen moved to P2. The rain came again, and the cars that changed the tyres to intermediates and slips faced the wrath and lost positions. Max Verstappen made an unusual mistake in the rain and lost his place to Oscar.

But again, rain interrupted, making Piastri run wide and get stuck in the grass, allowing Max to catch his position back. The Australian crowd cheered Piastri back to the track as the Aussie showed some grit to put his car back on track. Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were on P1 and P2, but as rain interrupted, they pitted and ended in P9 and P10. 

Later, Brotoleto, Alonso, and Lawson crashed into the walls, bringing another VSC. Hamilton was frustrated with Ferrari's strategy as they missed out on the great gamble of winning the Australian GP if they didn’t pit. Finally, Lando Norris won the F1 Season opener by keeping his position from Max Verstappen's threat, and George Russell finished on P3. Kimi Antonelli in P5 is the only rookie driver who impressed everyone but got a 5-second time penalty for unsafe release. So, McLaren is now leading Red Bull and Mercedes in the championship battle, and Ferrari has a lot of strategy plans to do. 

Also Read: Most wins at Australian Grand Prix: Which F1 driver is the king of Australia?