F1: Norris Wins 2025’s First Grand Prix Amid Drama

The 2025 Formula 1 season has begun and what drama in the opener! The 2025 Australian Grand Prix had lots of mixed weather conditions, crashes, multiple safety cars and some brilliant driving.

Lando Norris, the runner-up for the 2024 World Driver Championship, bagged the top place less than a second ahead of last year’s World Champion Max Verstappen. Norris also had pole position and a slightly delayed start but managed to hold back Verstappen and his teammate Oscar Piastri.

The rains made the race more interesting as, after the first bout and a couple of safety cars later, the finishing order was almost set. However, the second shower made things more unpredictable as it saw the race leaders, the two McLarens, losing control. While Norris managed to control his car, Piastri spun and headed straight on the grass right before the paddock. Norris pitted immediately for safer tyres, which ultimately gave Verstappen the lead. Eventually, when everyone pitted for intermediates, Norris regained the top position.

The second downpour also led to multiple crashes and another safety car, which allowed Verstappen to close the gap Norris had on him. Despite DRS and slightly fresher tyres, Verstappen finished 0.895 seconds behind the McLaren.

Debutants Gabriel Bortoleto from Kick Sauber and Isack Hadjar from Racing Bulls crashed in the pouring conditions along with Fernando Alonso from Aston Martin, Carlos Sainz Jr from Williams and Jack Doohan from Alpine.

Surprisingly, Alexander Albon from Williams performed really well, finishing fourth and ahead of debutant Andrea Kimi Antonelli from Mercedes, Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and Kick Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg. The two Ferraris finished 8th and 10th, with Piastri’s McLaren coming in at 9th.