Lando Norris gets his first-ever victory at Albert Park in the 2025 Australian Grand Prix, which was impacted by rain. George Russell and Max Verstappen round out the podium. Read about the unexpected turns of this exciting race!
In a dramatic race marred by rain, McLaren’s Lando Norris won the 2025 Australian Grand Prix for the first time ever.
Max Verstappen put up a strong fight, but Norris managed to win by a mere 0.895 seconds. There were only 14 finishers in the race, which was marred by erratic weather and several retirements.

George Russell of Mercedes completed the podium, followed by Verstappen in second place.
While Lewis Hamilton had a difficult race and finished in 10th place, Norris’s triumph cemented his status as one of Formula One’s rising stars.
Consider this: The excitement surrounding the 2025 Australian Grand Prix is evident on this gloomy, rainy morning in Melbourne.
The prospect of an exciting race at the famous Albert Park track looms large for both drivers and fans. Nobody could have predicted how quickly the race would devolve into a show of skill, survival, and mayhem.
Amid a flurry of crashes and severe rain, McLaren’s Lando Norris emerged victorious, defeating Max Verstappen in a hard duel to win his first-ever Melbourne race.
One of the most spectacular and unpredictable races in Formula 1 history would be this one.
The Race: A Wild and Wet Obstacle
The 2025 Australian Grand Prix was anything from typical from the start. Starting from pole position, Lando Norris had the perfect start to his campaign, but as the rain began to fall, he was soon thrown into an unrelenting battle.
As the situation worsened, it became evident that this race would not be typical. Norris of McLaren had to contend with the weather itself in addition to his rivals.
Drama was produced by more than just the weather, though. Many of the drivers had a terrible first lap.
Alpine’s Jack Doohan and Williams’ Carlos Sainz were both engaged in an early collision, and Racing Bull’s Isack Hadjar was forced to retire before the race even started.
Drama was produced by more than just the weather, though. Many of the drivers had a terrible first lap.
Jack Doohan of Alpine and Carlos Sainz of Williams were both involved in an early crash, and Isack Hadjar, who was competing for Racing Bull, was forced to retire before the race even started.
Sainz, who had triumphed here with Ferrari in 2024, would not be able to do so this year. Drivers had to make snap decisions about tire changes and danger levels, which rapidly turned the track into a chaotic place.
The anxiety increased as the race went on. Starting from third place, Max Verstappen took advantage of a spin by Oscar Piastri, a local hero.
Verstappen jumped ahead and closed the distance to Norris after a third safety car period shook things up in the last few laps.
However, Norris crossed the finish line just 0.895 seconds ahead of Verstappen thanks to his poise and accuracy in the closing laps. It was a race that required every bit of strategy and expertise.
Important Events and Race Highlights
Norris’s Win: In an exciting finish, Lando Norris held off the very competitive Verstappen.
Max Verstappen’s Strategy: Always the opportunist, Verstappen capitalized on Piastri’s bad luck to finish in second place.
George Russell’s Performance: George Russell of Mercedes completed the podium with steady speed and deft tire management.
The Unpredictable Weather: Drivers, pit crews, and spectators all struggled to adapt to the shifting circumstances during Melbourne’s first wet race since 2010.
Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari’s Decline
Conversely, seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton had a poor race. Hamilton was supposed to contend for podiums after switching to Ferrari, but he had a terrible weekend. Hamilton, who finished in tenth place, was clearly annoyed by the way his car was performing and by the constant stream of radio signals from his pit staff.
He was unable to keep up with his opponents, demonstrating the challenges of acclimating to a new squad.
A High-Drama Race: Crash After Crash
There were several retirements during the Australian Grand Prix. On lap 34, Fernando Alonso, once again displaying his age-defying speed, crashed into the barriers.
There were only 14 finishers left on the circuit after Red Bull’s Liam Lawson and Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto both crashed out with a few laps remaining. Cars lost grip and spun off the circuit due to the rainy conditions, making the race unpredictable.
In order to survive the storm, drivers had to maintain their composure and use their knowledge.
After what can only be characterized as a chaotic and rainy race at Albert Park, McLaren’s Lando Norris ultimately secured a well-earned victory. It was evident from Max Verstappen’s second-place finish and George Russell’s podium finish that survival was more important than pace in this race. Norris’s triumph demonstrated his tenacity, poise, and capacity to handle Formula 1’s unpredictability.

When we think back on this historic race, we have to ask: How will Lando Norris’s triumph in Melbourne affect his Formula 1 future? Will McLaren have a breakthrough season this year? And will there be more exciting, unpredictable races like this in the future? There’s no denying that Formula 1 has never been more thrilling.