The Australian Grand Prix turned into a race of survival, with unpredictable weather, heavy crashes, and last-minute twists. Lando Norris emerged victorious, securing his fifth career win in dominant fashion. McLaren looked untouchable in the wet conditions, though Oscar Piastri narrowly missed out on a podium finish after a costly late-race mistake.
Behind Norris, Max Verstappen managed to rescue a second-place finish, while George Russell capitalized on the chaotic race to put Mercedes on the podium. However, the standout performance came from rookie Kimi Antonelli, who stormed through the field from 16th to an incredible 4th place, marking one of the best debuts for an Italian driver since 1970.
For Ferrari, it was another nightmare race. Charles Leclerc made a strong start but quickly lost pace, finishing 8th, while Lewis Hamilton struggled throughout and ended up 10th. A disastrous tire strategy in the closing laps saw them plummet from race leaders to barely holding onto points.
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The drama started even before the race began, with multiple crashes on the formation lap leading to three safety car deployments. Rookie Isack Hadjar suffered a heartbreaking debut, crashing out before the start and breaking down in tears in the paddock. Jack Doohan also crashed, triggering another safety car period. Even experienced drivers weren’t spared from mistakes, as Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso both slid off track, ending their hopes for a strong finish.
While Norris controlled the race from the front, Piastri initially challenged Verstappen but lost his shot at a McLaren one-two after an off-track excursion in the final laps. Next up is China, featuring the season’s first sprint race—an event that couldn’t come at a worse time for Ferrari.
