The new Formula 1 season began with a roar in Melbourne, where Lando Norris delivered a standout victory for McLaren, launching himself to the top of the Drivers’ Championship standings.

By crossing the finish line first, the British racer brought an end to an extraordinary streak held by Max Verstappen, who had led every Grand Prix for an unprecedented 1,029 days (since May 2022). This run was the longest in Formula 1 history, eclipsing the previous second-best mark of 896 days set by seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher.

“That was incredible. It was a tough race, especially with Max right behind me,” Norris admitted. “I was pushing—maybe a bit too hard in those last two laps. It got a little tense, to be honest. But we did everything right this time and came out on top, so I’m very happy.”