𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗦 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦: “Norris holds off Verstappen in chaotic Australian season opener” by Will Diether Arinsol

Layout by: Ayris Celine Aqui

Published by: John Kurt Gabriel Reyes

Date Published: March 28, 2025

Time Published: 2:12 PM

On March 16, McLaren’s Lando Norris won a chaotic, rain-filled Australian Grand Prix, securing his first victory at Albert Park by barely holding off Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to cross the finish line just 0.895 seconds ahead.

The latter remained within a second of Norris in the final laps, but Norris brilliantly defended to secure his hard-fought fifth career victory.

“It was amazing. Tough race, especially with Max behind me,” Norris said.

He added, “I was pushing, especially in the last two laps. It was a little bit stressful, not going to lie.”

Norris led the race from the start but mixed weather, multiple crashes and a sudden downpour turned the race into a test of racecraft and skill.

Midway through, after most of the drivers had switched to dry-weather tires, a sudden rainfall soaked the track again, dramatically sending both McLarens onto the grass and forcing most of the field to change back to wet-weather tires.

While Norris managed to take back control of his car and change to wet-weather tires, his teammate Oscar Piastri spun off a corner and dropped down the order trying to recover from the incident — a chain of events that released World Champion Verstappen into the lead.

Norris then regained the top spot after Verstappen made his own change to wet-weather tires, just before a crash by Red Bull’s Liam Lawson and Kick Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto triggered a safety car.

Following the third safety car period, the race came down to a close fight between Norris and Verstappen for the lead.

McLaren’s strong performance proves they are ahead in the development battle, demonstrating their car’s impressive pace and tire efficiency.

This gives Norris and Piastri a fighting chance in both the Drivers and Constructors Championships.

REFERENCES:

[1] Formula 1. (2025, March 16). Norris beats Verstappen to victory in dramatic Australian GP opener amid late-race chaos. Formula 1. https://www.formula1.com/.../norris-beats-verstappen-to...

[2] Latham-Coyle, H. (2025, March 16). Lando Norris wins Australian Grand Prix after Verstappen retires early. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/.../f1-australian-grand-prix...

[3] Reuters. (2025, March 16). F1: Lando Norris edges Verstappen to win wild Australian Grand Prix. Inquirer Sports. https://sports.inquirer.net/.../f1-lando-norris-edges...

[4] Wade, S. (2025, March 16). Norris wins wild Australian GP after Verstappen retires with brake failure. AP News. https://apnews.com/.../australian-gp-f1-race...