Norris Secures Pole Position as Rain-Soaked Australian Grand Prix Approaches
The stage is set for a thrilling start to the Australian Grand Prix after an electrifying qualifying session that saw McLaren’s Lando Norris snatch pole position, edging out teammate Oscar Piastri in a tightly contested battle. With rain threatening to disrupt the race, the 2025 season opener promises to deliver excitement from the very start.
Norris, who clocked a pole time of 1:15.096, denied local favorite Piastri the chance to become the first Aussie driver to start at the front in front of his home crowd, as reigning World Champion Max Verstappen secured third place for Red Bull. This marks a significant improvement for Verstappen, who starts 15 positions ahead of his new teammate, Liam Lawson.
The qualifying session showcased a surprising mix of talent, with George Russell of Mercedes landing in fourth, while rookie Kimi Antonelli struggled to find his groove, qualifying 16th. Racing Bulls’ Yuki Tsunoda and Williams’ Alex Albon impressed with fifth and sixth place finishes, respectively.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton had a disappointing outing, qualifying in eighth and ninth positions. They will look to improve their standings during the race, as they attempt to make up ground in the competitive grid. Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and Carlos Sainz of Williams rounded out the top ten.
Among the rookies, Isack Hadjar delivered a commendable performance, qualifying 11th for Racing Bulls. Meanwhile, Gabriel Bortoleto outperformed his teammate Nico Hulkenberg, securing P15. However, Oliver Bearman encountered technical issues that placed him at the back of the grid, starting from the pit lane.
