Norris takes pole for F1 season opener in Australia

The reigning constructors' champions couldn't have asked for a better start to the 2025 Formula 1 season.

McLaren's Lando Norris grabbed pole position for Sunday's Australian Grand Prix ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri.

Norris posted the fastest lap of 1:15.096 on Saturday at Melbourne's Albert Park Circuit for the 10th pole position of his career.

"It's a track where you've got to commit," the 25-year-old said, according to Andrew Benson of BBC Sport. "You know what your target is, and once you turn in you're kind of hoping for the best in a lot of cases. You want to take those risks.

"Obviously, I took too many on my first lap and got track limits, so I was in a difficult position knowing how much risk I wanted to take. But I put it together well. It was just a clean lap, no mistakes, and that was enough. So happy. A perfect way to start the season."

Yuki Tsunoda of Racing Bulls and Alex Albon of Williams qualified fifth and sixth, respectively, in what was the biggest surprise of qualifying.

Lewis Hamilton qualified eighth in his Ferrari debut.

Carlos Sainz claimed victory in Australia last season ahead of Charles Leclerc and Norris.

Ferrari has won four of the last six races at the Albert Park Circuit. McLaren hasn't won in Australia since 2012.

It's the first time since 2019 that the Australian GP is serving as the season's opening race. COVID-19 forced the event's cancellation in 2020 and 2021.