Lando Norris beat Max Verstappen by less than a second at the end of an intense season-opening race in Melbourne.
The McLaren driver won from pole position despite sliding off-track at one stage in a race enlivened by periodic showers.
George Russell completed the podium while Alexander Albon brought joy to Williams by finishing fourth. He gained the position from Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who received a five-second time penalty for an unsafe release in the pit lane after climbing through the field from 16th.
The first attempt to start the race on a damp circuit was abandoned when Isack Hadjar spun into the barrier at turn two. Following a 15-minute hiatus, which gave the track more time to dry out, the race finally began.
Norris kept his lead from pole position but Verstappen got off the line well and attacked Piastri immediately, passing him for second place as they approached turn three. But behind them, the treacherous conditions first claimed Jack Doohan at turn six, then Carlos Sainz Jnr at the final corner, and the Safety Car was deployed.
Once the race resumed the leading trio ran in tight formation. But approaching lap 20 the rain returned and Verstappen ran wide at turn 11, losing second place to Piastri.
Light rain lingered and eventually passed, allowing the track to dry out again. Piastri briefly closed within striking distance of Norris but was told to “hold position” behind his team mate while they picked their way past a group of backmarkers.
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Eventually the conditions improved sufficiently that drivers were beginnig to discuss the possibility of switching to slicks. Then Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin got away from him at the exit of turn six and he crashed heavily.
The Safety Car was deployed once more, and the teams took the opportunity to switch their drivers onto slicks. But even as they prepared to restart the race the teams became alert to the threat of another rain shower.
It struck at the end of lap 44, catching the McLaren drivers out at turn 12. Both went off, Piastri spun to a stop on the wet grass at turn 13 and Norris dived for the pits, handing the lead to Verstappen.
Verstappen bowed to the inevitable and pitted for intermediates soon afterwards, falling back behind Norris. Hamilton, who had risen to third as others pitted and spun, tried to tough it out on his hard slicks. But by now Lawson and Bortoleto had hit the wall and the Safety Car was summoned again. Hamilton finally came in, and Norris regained the lead.
The race restarted with seven laps remaining. Verstappen closed menacingly on Norris after DRS was reactivated, but had to settle for second place.
The Ferrari drivers made some progress after their setback. Leclerc, who spun when the rain hit, repassed Hamilton, then both gained places from Gasly. However Piastri, who lost a significant amount of time rejoining the track, put a superb pass on the seven-times champion around the outside of turn nine to take ninth place.
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2025 Australian Grand Prix
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