Norris Beats Verstappen to Win Thrilling Season Opener in Australia
The 2024 Formula 1 season kicked off with an electrifying race at the Australian Grand Prix, where Lando Norris of McLaren emerged victorious after a dramatic battle with reigning world champion Max Verstappen. The race, held at Albert Park, featured multiple safety car interventions, a late rain shower, and a nail-biting finish that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
McLaren started strong, with Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri dominating the early stages. However, the weather played a decisive role as rain began to fall - Piastri struggled in the wet conditions and dropped to the back of the field, while Norris transitioned to intermediate tires, thanks to a quick pit stop by his team.
Verstappen, who initially took the lead during the rain, was forced to pit later, allowing Norris to regain the top spot. The final laps saw a thrilling duel between the two, but Norris held his nerve and crossed the finish line just 0.895 seconds ahead of Verstappen to claim his first win of the season.
Other notable performances included George Russell of Mercedes, who finished 3rd, and rookie Andrea Antonelli, who impressed with a 5th-place finish in his debut race. Alex Albon of Williams and Lance Stroll of Aston Martin also delivered strong performances, securing 4th and 6th places, respectively.
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton had a disappointing race, finishing 10th after leading briefly during the rain. The race also saw several retirements, including Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso, who both crashed out due to mistakes in challenging conditions.
Australian Grand Prix. Race. Top 10
1. Lando Norris (Mclaren) – 57 laps
2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +0.895
3. George Russell (Mercedes) +8.481
4. Alex Albon (Williams) +12.773
5. Andrea Antonelli (Mercedes) +15.135
6. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) +17.413
7. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) +18.423
8. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +19.826
9. Oscar Piastri (Mclaren) +20.448
10. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) +22,473
