Lando Norris stunned the Formula 1 grid with a stellar performance to secure pole position for the 2025 Australian Grand Prix, leading a McLaren one-two alongside teammate Oscar Piastri.
The dramatic qualifying session at Melbourne’s Albert Park has set the stage for a thrilling season opener.
In sweltering conditions, Norris unleashed a blistering lap of 1:15.096 on soft tyres, edging Piastri by just 0.084 seconds. This marks a remarkable start for McLaren, cementing their resurgence in the fiercely competitive field.
Piastri, racing on home soil, expressed pride in starting on the front row, though he admitted to leaving “a little bit on the table” during Q3.
Max Verstappen, the reigning world champion, secured third place after a tense session, while Mercedes’ George Russell claimed fourth. However, Verstappen’s rookie teammate Liam Lawson struggled, failing to advance past Q1.
Ferrari’s debutant Lewis Hamilton faced a challenging session, qualifying eighth. Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll of Aston Martin, along with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, struggled to find pace throughout the weekend.
Briton Oliver Bearman endured a nightmare weekend for Haas, grappling with crashes and mechanical issues that left him at the back of the grid.
With rain and cooler temperatures forecast for Sunday, the race promises unpredictability. Can McLaren translate their qualifying success into race day dominance? Or will Verstappen and Red Bull mount a comeback?
