Norris reacts to Melbourne victory: ‘An amazing way to start the year’

Dominika Jordan
Mar 16, 2025, 09:04 AM ET

Lando Norris celebrated an exhilarating win at the Australian Grand Prix, marking a stellar start to the season for the McLaren team. Norris described the race as an "amazing way to start the year," reflecting on lessons learned from past mistakes to secure victory in challenging conditions.

Starting from pole position, Norris commanded the race during the initial dry stages. As the track conditions worsened with heavy rain, both Norris and his teammate Oscar Piastri slid off the track. Piastri's misfortune allowed Max Verstappen to temporarily take the lead as Norris pitted.

Despite the setback, Norris reclaimed the lead when Verstappen had to pit for intermediate tires amidst the unpredictable weather. The final stages of the race saw Norris fend off a determined Verstappen, securing a hard-fought victory with just 0.8 seconds to spare.

"It was amazing," Norris said post-race. "A tough race, especially with Max behind me. I was pushing, especially the last two laps were a little bit stressful, but an amazing way to start the year."

Norris spotlighted the importance of learning from past errors, alluding to similar races last year where strategic missteps cost the team dearly. "We got it wrong a lot last year so I guess we learn from our mistakes," Norris commented. "Dealing with the pressure... Max behind me, it was a tough one."

The race, filled with numerous crashes and several Safety Car periods, tested the resilience of all drivers. Nevertheless, Norris managed to keep his composure. "A tough, challenging race but for McLaren, I need to give thanks because they have given me an amazing car," he added.

Norris’s victory has placed him at the top of the championship standings for the first time since the 2022 Spanish Grand Prix, displacing Verstappen. Looking ahead, Norris remains cautiously optimistic. "Stressful, but I know what I'm capable of," he said. "We need to go and do it again next weekend and then continue from there. A long season ahead. We've just got to keep our heads down and keep pushing."

The McLaren team will be looking to build on this successful start as they head into the rest of the season, buoyed by Norris's confidence and determination.