Australian GP Qualifying: Lando Norris Beats McLaren Teammate Oscar Piastri To Take Pole

Norris, 25, beat Piastri by 0.084 seconds on their final attempts while reigning F1 champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull produced the third fastest time

바카라 Sports Desk

Updated on: 15 March 2025 12:29 pm

Lando Norris. Photo: AP/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake

A keenly contested Australian Grand Prix qualifying on Saturday (March 15, 2025) saw Lando Norris clock 1:15.096 in Q3 to take pole with his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri completing a front row lockout in the season-opening F1 race at Albert Park, Melbourne. (Highlights | More Motorsport News)

Norris, 25, beat Piastri by 0.084 seconds on their final attempts while reigning F1 champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull produced the third fastest time, with 0.385 seconds off the pace.

"It's the perfect way to start the year," Norris said after his 10th pole in the top class of open-wheel racing, which is also the most by any McLaren driver in the 21st century. "But it's just Quali, right? Let's wait and see tomorrow -- it's going to be a tricky race."

Mercedes driver George Russell was fourth, ahead of Racing Bulls driver Yuki Tsunoda. Alex Albon of Williams beat the Ferrari pair of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, for sixth. The top 10 was completed by Pierre Gasly of Alpine and driver Carlos Sainz, now with Williams.

The former Ferrari driver beat rookie Isack Hadjar of Racing Bulls by 0.063 seconds. Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll will start in the 12th and 13th positions, respectively, on Sunday.