MELBOURNE – Preseason favourite Lando Norris overcame Max Verstappen, changing weather, a trip across the grass and three Safety Car periods to win a frenzied Australian Grand Prix.

Norris had to hold off the charging Red Bull of Verstappen to win at the end, crossing the line just 0.8s seconds ahead of the reigning world champion.

It was a fitting culmination to an utterly wild opening race to the new season, which was repeatedly plunged into chaos by intermittent rain and the high number of drivers who crashed out during the contest.

Norris had led away from pole and, in the moments between the drama, had looked comfortable with McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri out in front. But a trip off track for both orange cars on Lap 44 as the rain intensified once again saw McLaren lose its nailed-on one-two finish, with Piastri going off at the final corner and tumbling down the order.

At the end, Norris led Verstappen home, with Mercedes driver George Russell claiming the final spot on the podium.

Ferrari had come into the season with expectations sky-high, but Charles Leclerc and new signing Lewis Hamilton could only managed eighth and tenth after a tyre gamble in the changing weather backfired late on, although they had never been in the contest for victory.