Australian Grand Prix – Norris survives to claim opening race victory

Today at 02:14 AM

Lando Norris survived late challenges from both Max Verstappen and the weather to win the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park.

Norris had serenely led the race through two Safety Car periods before a heavy rain shower 14 laps from the end caught both he and McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri out two corners from the end of the lap.

The Brit recovered, but Piastri ended up beached on the grass for nearly a lap when a podium at worst would have been on the cards.

George Russell was third for Mercedes ahead of an excellent fourth place for Alex Albon in the Williams, while the impressive rookie Kimi Antonelli was fifth from 16th on the grid.

Lance Stroll took a quiet sixth for Aston Martin ahead of Kick Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg, with the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc eighth ahead of a disappointed Piastri, who recovered to ninth by passing Lewis Hamilton on the last lap.