Motor racing-Norris holds off Verstappen to win wild F1 opener in Australia

Mercedes'
Norris, the pre-season favourite for the drivers' title, started the Formula One season as he finished the last at
The win ended Verstappen's long run at the top of the championship standings dating back to
Norris's teammate Oscar Piastri started second on the grid but finished ninth, his dreams of becoming the first home driver to claim victory or a consolation podium ending with a skid into the grass.
Norris claimed his first win in
"It was amazing. Tough race, especially with Max behind me," he added.
"I was pushing, especially in the last two laps. It was a little bit stressful, not going to lie.
"This time we got it right and ended on top so I'm happy."
Verstappen said it was "worth the gamble".
"It was quite spicy on the slick tyres. It was alright in the end," he said.
"This is where I expected to be. In the first stint we were lacking a bit of pace to the McLaren."
But it was an encouraging day for Williams, with
SAFETY CARS
The race was held up for 15 minutes after debutant
With his rear wing bent out of shape and his race over, the unharmed Frenchman was in tears as his car was hauled off track.
Australian rookie
The drama continued as
While Norris had a clean start, Piastri was skidding left and right at the first turn, allowing Verstappen to roar past him on the outside.
But Verstappen later locked a front brake and veered wide to allow Piastri to snatch back second.
Piastri, with more pace than his teammate, had Norris in his sights but was ordered to hold position by the McLaren garage until a rain shower passed.
Twice world champion
Norris and Piastri pitted to change to hard tyres but another shower wreaked havoc 10 laps later, as Piastri skidded into gravel then ended up in the grass.
Though that gave Verstappen a last crack at reeling in Norris, the Briton held the relentless Dutchman at bay to land the first blow in the championship ahead of round two in
(Reporting by
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