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The McLaren driver got his season off to an imperious start as he weathered tricky conditions and multiple safety cars at the Australian Grand Prix to hold off Max Verstappen and race to the chequered flag.
McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain reacts during a press conference after winning the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park, in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, March 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Heath McKinley)
McLaren star Lando Norris opened the 2025 season of Formula One with a dominant win at the Australian Grand Prix to pip four-time reigning champion Max Verstappen to the top podium spot in a wet race at Austin Park on Sunday.
Six racers on the grid came back with a DNF result at Melbourne as Norris started at pole and clinched the crown in the curtain-raiser. The Brit reflected on the race and stated that it was a testament to the side’s resolve to maximise point-scoring opportunities in order to improve on the previous season.
“We worked a lot over the winter to prepare for a race like this because it’s where we threw away a lot of opportunities last season,” he said.
“Canada, Silverstone where we were not the best at preparing and knowing how decisive we’ve got to be,” he added.
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McLaren, who clinched the constructors championship last year, for the first time since 1998, look to have ominous pace on their side as a result of the work they have put in during the off-season to capitalise on the previous campaign victory.
“We knew we had to improve in certain areas. There’s been a lot of work on trying to make sure we’re snappier and better with communication,” the 25-year-old said.
“This time, we got it right and ended up on top,” he added.
Norris, however, went on to add that they could not afford to take their eye off the ball as it might ultimately prove too costly at the highest echelons of the sport.
“Max was three-tenths off (in qualifying) yesterday. Last year, we were much further off and ended up with the best car by the end of the season,” he said.
“If you start thinking things are good and groovy, that’s when you get caught,” Norris continued.
“I do think we’re favourites because the team has done an amazing job, and the car is flying. But we will have races where we struggle,” he added.
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Norris had to outmanoeuvre tricky conditions and safety cars en route to the title at Austin Park while experienced drivers including Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and Williams Carlos Sainz failed to complete the circuit.
“It’s a difficult situation being first and not knowing what to do with tyres. You just know someone behind will get it right behind you, because they’re going to gamble something, and it’ll work out for them,” Norris said.
“I was making sure the guys on the pit wall and everyone back in Mission Control were aware of what was going on. Making sure we were on top of it, ready to make the right call,” he revealed.
Norris said he had to settle his nerves, particularly towards the final knocking of the race with Verstappen looking to gain on the race leader, but the Brit kept his focus to eke out the win and get the season off to a positive start.
“I’ve never led a race with five laps to go with Max behind me, trying to put me under pressure, in these conditions,” Norris said.
“Maybe Max has had that a few times — he’s raced against Lewis a lot and can deal with it better than I can. For me, it was a first. So, it was about seeing how I handled it when I got there,” he McLaren driver added.
“I’m happy I got through it and stayed calm. It’s something I improved from last year,” he concluded.