Max Verstappen has already been handed the first advantage of the 2025 F1 season, despite losing out to Lando Norris in the Australian Grand Prix. The Red Bull star came home second behind his McLaren rival after a chaotic race in Melbourne.

Lando Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri slid onto the grass in an eventful F1 race in Melbourne. Lewis Hamilton finished 10th in Ferrari debut.

When the lights go out Sunday at the Australian Grand Prix to begin the 2025 Formula 1 season, defending F1 Drivers’ Champion Max Verstappen will start third, behind perhaps two of his biggest challengers in Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.