This is the first time a McLaren driver has held the driver's title lead since Lewis Hamilton did at the 2012 Canadian Grand Prix

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

Safety car deployed after HUGE F1 crash in Melbourne. Max Verstappen took an unexpected second place, with the Mercedes of George Russell rounding out the podium after

When asked during the post-race press conference whether the session should have been red flagged, Verstappen did not see any issue with the FIA's decision. The Red Bull star even took his answer a step further, and suggested a driver would have to be 'stupid' to crash in such a way.

Max Verstappen dealt Red Bull a significant blow after finishing second in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, revealing a key area where McLaren is significantly stronger.

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

Lando Norris's win ended Max Verstappen's long run at the top of the championship standings dating back to May 2022.

The Australian Grand Prix started with three cars crashed out in separate incidents before the end of lap one, and it only got more chaotic from there.