Lando Norris Secures Pole Position for Rainy Australian GP as McLaren Locks Out Front Row
The 2025 F1 season kicks off in Melbourne with Norris edging out teammate Oscar Piastri, while Lewis Hamilton begins his Ferrari debut from eighth on the grid.
- Lando Norris claimed pole position for the Australian Grand Prix, narrowly beating McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri by 0.084 seconds.
- McLaren achieved a front-row lockout, solidifying its position as an early favorite for the 2025 season after a strong showing in pre-season testing.
- Defending world champion Max Verstappen qualified third, followed by Mercedes' George Russell in fourth, with Yuki Tsunoda (RB) and Alex Albon (Williams) rounding out the top six.
- Lewis Hamilton, making his Ferrari debut, qualified a disappointing eighth, trailing teammate Charles Leclerc, who starts seventh on the grid.
- Rain is expected during the race at Albert Park, adding an unpredictable element to the season opener, with McLaren allowing Norris and Piastri to race freely for victory.
The Independent 
