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British driver Lando Norris expressed his joy as he and McLaren learned from past mistakes in the 2024 Formula 1 season to secure victory in a thrilling wet-dry race at the Australian Grand Prix.
Norris was ecstatic after winning the dramatic 2025 Australian Grand Prix, especially since McLaren had made several errors in similar conditions last year.
The British driver pointed to missed opportunities in Canada and Silverstone in 2024, where McLaren’s minor miscalculations in pit stop timing and tire choices cost them potential victories. However, in Melbourne, Norris converted his pole position into a triumphant start to the 2025 season.
Norris crossed the finish line ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, successfully handling early pressure from the reigning world champion before facing a mid-race challenge from teammate Oscar Piastri. When rain returned in the closing laps, Piastri dropped back, solidifying Norris’s win.
Speaking after stepping out of his MCL39 following his fifth career Formula 1 victory, Norris said:
“We made a lot of mistakes last year, so I think we’ve learned from them.”
He added: “We lost in Silverstone and Canada under similar conditions. We’ve learned from those mistakes, I believe. It’s just one race out of 24, but managing the pressure, handling Max and Oscar behind me—I was pushing the whole time.”
He continued: “I could have felt more relaxed inside, but I wasn’t—I was under constant pressure. It was a tough race, but I didn’t make many mistakes, and none that cost me anything significant. I think I can give myself credit for that.”
Norris also praised McLaren for their efforts, saying: “It was a challenging race, but I have to thank McLaren for giving me an incredible car.”
The race saw three safety car restarts, the last occurring with just six laps remaining. Verstappen, who had struggled with tire wear early on, mounted a late challenge with fresher tires.
A mistake by Norris at Turn 6 allowed Verstappen to get within DRS range in the final three laps. However, despite closing the gap, the world champion never made a move to snatch the lead.
“Max was quick,” Norris admitted. “I knew my pace was strong, but I made a small mistake at Turn 6, and he got into DRS range—which is worth about a second here.”
He continued: “That allowed him to stay within striking distance and get a few small glimpses.”
Concluding, Norris said: “I had to check my mirrors more often than I would have liked, but I stayed calm, kept my composure, and listened to Will—that was the most important thing.”
