Norris Takes Pole to Start 2025 F1 Season Clive Mason – Getty Images

In their first year defending a championship since 1999, McLaren came to the first round of the 2025 F1 season guns blazing, as their two drivers went 1-2 ahead of defending four-time driver’s champion Max Verstappen.

Ultimately, Lando Norris beat his teammate Oscar Piastri in qualifying at his home track by.15 seconds. Piastri continues to chase his first pole position in F1, and you could hear the home track get excited in the seconds between him setting the fastest time in a late qualifying attempt and his teammate Norris overtaking it.

Verstappen, who shared his issues with tire wear on the RB20 earlier in qualifying, rebounded to finish third. Verstappen’s new teammate Liam Lawson finished 18th ahead of the two Haas entries, one of which, piloted by Ollie Bearman, was unable to turn a lap.

While Bearman didn’t have a completed lap, he was joined by the other five rookies having subpar finishes. None of the six new full-time rookies made it into the final qualifying round to leave a familiar scene.

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