F1 Australian Grand Prix LIVE RESULTS: Norris wins chaotic opening race as Hamilton suffers Ferrari disaster – latest
LEWIS HAMILTON suffered a nightmare Ferrari debut as six drivers crashed out of a chaotic Australian Grand Prix.
Hamilton, 40, made the switch from Mercedes to the Scuderia official over the off-season and made his debut for the Italian team as he chases a record-breaking eighth world championship.
The race start was DELAYED after rookie Isack Hadjar crashed out during the formation lap before bursting into tears as he was consoled by Hamilton's dad.
Fellow rookie Jack Doohan then crashed out on the first lap after a huge spin before last year's race winner, Carlos Sainz, crashed under the safety car.
Lando Norris took the chequered flag ahead of Max Verstappen after going off the track in a thrilling season opener, but Ferrari suffered a strategy disaster to leave Hamilton down in P10.
- Podium places: Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, George Russell.
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Rare mistake from Max Verstappen
Lap 17 - The Dutchman is now in third and has been overtaken by Oscar Piastri as he went too deep into Turn 11.
Lando Norris flying
Lap 16 - The British 24-year-old is setting a blistering pace in his McLaren with the fastest lap as his lead over Max Verstappen stretches to 1.2 seconds.
Credit: AP Lewis Hamilton struggling
The British 40-year-old is not happy on his debut race for Ferrari.
On lap 13 he is still in eighth but said on his team radio: "Tell me where I'm slow I'm having a hard time."
By lap 15 he snapped at his new race engineer Riccardo Adami to "leave me to it please".
Isack Hadjar "I'm embarrassed"
The RB rookie said after his formation lap crash which ended his race: "I'm just embarrassed and I'm sorry for the team, that's it.
"I don't know it's not up to me to decide how people think of how good I am, I'm just going to try and come back in China with less silly mistakes."
Verstappen snapping at Norris' heels
Lap 10 - The racing is back underway but Verstappen is still in Norris' rear view mirror, closing the gap to just 0.6 seconds.
George Russell is still fourth, Charles Leclerc is fifth and Yuki Tsunoda in sixth spot.
Fernando Alonso has been noted for a safety car infringement.
Lando Norris on the team radio
McLaren have been on the blower to Lando Norris to tell him that no significant rain is on the cards for at least 30 minutes.
The track is drying up, but the teams need to weigh up whether when the switch to slick tyres will be made.
Pit stops for Oliver Bearman, Liam Lawson and Esteban Ocon
Lap 5: The trio all decide to pit for a new set of intermediates.
They were the three cars at the back anyway.
Credit: Getty Lewis Hamilton remains in P8
A solid start from the seven-time world champion means he holds onto eighth place amid the chaos.
For a moment he appeared to have gotten ahead of the Williams of Alex Albon but was pegged back.
His Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc was the Ferrari did well, overtaking both Yuki Tsunoda and Albon to go fifth.
Carlos Sainz is out!
This race is pure chaos as Spanish driver and last year's winner of this race, Carlos Sainz, is the third driver to be out after crashing his Williams into the wall on the safety car lap.
Another rookie down!
The safety car has been deployed after Alpine rookie Jack Doohan crashed at Turn Six of the first lap.
The Aussie driver is unhurt as the marshals run over to him.
LIGHTS OUT
Both McLarens managed to just hold off a fierce start from Max Verstappenn at the start. Piastri blocked him out initially while Norris held onto the lead by the skin of his teeth.
Although the Dutchman eventually nipped past Oscar Piastri who is now in third.
Credit: AP 
Credit: AP Lewis Hamilton's dad comforts Isack Hadjar
The seven-time world champion's dad, Anthony, is in Melbourne to watch his son's Ferrari debut.
He was spotted in the paddock with his arm around Hadjar, comforting the Racing Bulls youngster whose race was over before it began.
The French-Algerian driver was in tears after spinning out on the wet track in the formation lap, which delayed the start.
Isack Hadjar's chances are over before the race even beganCredit: Getty Isack Hajdar in tears
The Racing Bulls rookie, 20, was crying on the side of the track after spinning out on the formation lap before the race even began.
It has prompted a yellow flag, aborted the start and the French-Alegerian racing driver will not take part in the Grand Prix.
The rest of the drivers make their way back to the grid.
By Isabelle Barker in Melbourne
I've just been on the grid, and the weather has dried up although it is still grey and windy.
All the drivers had the game faces on as they lined up for the Australian national anthem.
I didn't spot any celebs apart from the UK singer-songwriter Raye. I heard Magic Mike star Channing Tatum paid a bucketload to be here but I didn't see him!
Norris delighted
Pace setter Lando Norris was in dream land with his pole, as you might expect.
He said: "It's the perfect way to start the year. Everyone at McLaren has done an amazing job to start with a one-two but it's just qualifying, let's see tomorrow, it's going to be a tricky race but this is a good way to start.
"The car is extremely quick and when you put it together it's unbelievable but it's difficult to put together.
"Particularly after the first lap, when I went off and lost my lap, you're in a tricky position - you need to risk it but not go too far because you can't make a mistake. It's a difficult balance. We know how quick Max and Red Bull are in the rain."
Credit: Getty
Chucking it down
After a scorching Saturday which saw temperatures of up to 37 degrees it is now chucking it down in Melbourne and the F2 race has already been axed because of the rain.
Punters have not been put off though and are decked out in their rain ponchos, coats, hats and umbrellas in the stands.
The official F1 forecast says conditions will start to improve and there will be a moderate chance of the odd shower during the race.
It is also VERY windy too, with gusts of up to 60km, but drivers can definitely race in this weather.
'A lot to dissect'
Lewis Hamilton finished eighth in qualifying and said he and the engineers had a lot of work to do to catch up to the front runners.
He also revealed he doesn't know the rain settings in his new car.
Hamilton told Sky Sports: "We will just get ours heads down and start finding out why we are not on pace with the front runners.
"Tomorrow is going to be a challenge. I've never driven this car in the rain, I don't even know the rain settings but I've got to go and study that tonight and it will be a learning experience again."
2025 schedule
With that change in schedule, here's how the opening weeks of the season are looking,
There are two races to start the season, then a break, before five races and another break.
The calendar doesn't head to Europe until May 18 - Imola - while plenty of British race fans will have July 6 at Silverstone circled.
All the info
Albert Park in Melbourne will host the first race of the F1 season.
Last year, the Australian GP was the third race of the season but a tweak in the schedule has now seen it host the big opener.
Verstappen won pole last year but brake failure saw him last just four laps before being forced to retire, with Carlos Sainz winning ahead of Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris.
The race starts at 4am GMT and will be shown on Sky Sports in the UK - their coverage is just about starting now.
We recommend you follow our live coverage for all the thrills and spills from track side in Australia, of course.
Credit: Splash Grid in full
Lando Norris was quickest in qualifying with McLaren the early pace setters as Oscar Piastri came second.
Max Verstappen will start from the second row, in third.
The full grid looks like this:
- Lando Norris
- Oscar 1Piastri
- Max Verstappen
- George Russell
- Yuki Tsunoda
- Alex Albon
- Charles Leclerc
- Lewis Hamilton
- Pierre Gasly
- Carlos Sainz
- Isack Hadjar
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Jack Doohan
- Gabriel Bortoleto
- Kimi Antonelli
- Nico Hulkenberg
- Liam Lawson
- Esteban Ocon
- Ollie Bearman
Credit: EPA Here we go!
The new F1 season is finally here! After months of waiting - and major, MAJOR changes to the grid - we are back in Australia.
Lewis Hamilton's mega move to Ferrari dominated the headlines while the action was away and plenty of eyes will be on the seven-time champion at Albert Park.
Hamilton didn't enjoy the best qualifying session, however, and will start in eighth - one spot behind Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc.
Credit: Getty