Max Verstappen had been leading the world championship since the inception of the current ground effect era in 2022.

Max Verstappen has admitted that Red Bull's grip issues will be "hard to fix" at the Australian Grand Prix as the reigning four-time world champion prepares for a difficult opening weekend of the season.

Verstappen was not the only Red Bull struggler, as his new team-mate Liam Lawson was a lowly 17th in Friday's second session, more than a second behind leader Leclerc. The Kiwi will be under pressure to at least cling onto Verstappen's coat-tails this season after earning a rapid promotion from Racing Bulls.

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

McLaren's Lando Norris swept to victory in a wet and wild Australian Grand Prix on Sunday, holding off defending champion Max Verstappen in a white-knuckle finish to a Formula One season-opener littered with crashes and safety cars.

Lando Norris masters treacherous, changing conditions in a dramatic, incident-packed race to beat Max Verstappen and win the Australian Grand Prix.