The Melbourne race had a thrilling start with Racing Bull’s Isack Hadjar out on the formation lap, and Alpine’s Jack Doohan and Williams’ Carlos Sainz crashing out on the opening lap.

However, the wet weather threw the Australian GP into chaos as Piastri slipped onto the grass and tumbled down the order, as Verstappen clinched P2 and George Russell crept up onto the final step of the podium.

Lando Norris won the season-opening Australian Grand Prix from the pole position. And it was hardly a boring path to victory. Norris somehow regained the lead in the last 15 laps of the race as a rain shower hit the track.