Norris triumphs in wild, rain-soaked Australian Grand Prix

Lando Norris takes a thrilling F1 Australian GP win after five safety cars, while Ferrari’s strategy disaster costs them big points.

Sports Betting Tips

by Ky Pitstock

March 16, 2025 0

Australia has officially reclaimed its spot as the Formula 1 season opener, delivering an action-packed race featuring five safety cars and six retirements. Lando Norris silenced the doubters with a dominant performance.

Norris entered as the short-priced favorite to win the season opener, with top F1 sportsbooks offering +135 odds on his victory.

It was heartbreak for Aussie Oscar Piastri after he ran off track due to a late rain shower, forfeiting his P2 to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

Piastri was visibly disappointed after parking in Parc Fermé, but the home crowd gave him a warm reception as he exited his car.

The hometown hero was the fastest driver on track for most of the race, closing in on teammate Norris before his costly spin on the grass. He was paying +120 Nags.bet for a podium finish.

Ferrari endured a disastrous strategy call, leaving both drivers out in wet conditions and ultimately surrendering their track position, leading to finishes in the lower half of the top 10.

Mercedes capitalized on the chaos, with rookie Kimi Antonelli charging from P16 to P5 despite a five-second penalty for an unsafe release.

2025 Australian Grand Prix Results

Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1:42:06.304
Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – +0.895s
George Russell (Mercedes) – +8.481s
Alexander Albon (Williams) – +12.773s
Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – +15.135s
Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – +17.413s
Nico Hülkenberg (Kick Sauber) – +18.423s
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – +19.826s
Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – +20.448s
Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – +22.473s
Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – +26.502s
Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls) – +29.884s
Esteban Ocon (Haas) – +33.161s
Oliver Bearman (Haas) – +40.351s
Liam Lawson (Red Bull) – DNF
Gabriel Bortoleto (Kick Sauber) – DNF
Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – DNF
Carlos Sainz (Williams) – DNF
Jack Doohan (Alpine) – DNF
Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – DNS

Biggest Winners of the Australian Grand Prix

Max Verstappen

Despite a tough weekend, Verstappen salvaged a strong P2 finish in challenging conditions. While Red Bull may struggle in the Constructors’ Championship, Verstappen remains on course for a fifth consecutive Drivers’ Championship. Top online sportbooks are offering +330 odds on Verstappen to win next week’s Chinese Grand Prix.

Kimi Antonelli

What a debut for the young Italian! Antonelli surged from P16 to P4 before a five-second penalty dropped him to P5. He was a +1400 underdog to finish in the top six, making this an incredible payout for bettors. He was also the only rookie to finish in the top 10, with four of the six newcomers spinning out in the wet.

Alex Albon

A dream start for Williams! Albon delivered the team’s best result since 2022 with a superb P4 finish. His patience and strategy paid off, earning crucial points and proving Williams is a force to watch this season.

Biggest Blunders of the Australian Grand Prix

Ferrari

Another strategic nightmare for Ferrari. The team inexplicably kept both drivers out on slicks during torrential rain, costing them valuable positions. Both Leclerc and Hamilton were furious over the radio, ultimately finishing P8 and P10. Before the Australian GP, Ferrari was the second favorite for the Constructors’ title.

The Rookies

A brutal debut race for the 2025 rookies—four out of six failed to finish due to spins or crashes. A mid-race thunderstorm made conditions incredibly challenging, and the newcomers will be hoping for a smoother weekend in China.