Lando Norris Looks to End Australian GP Curse

Lando Norris starts 2025 as defending champion, but a bizarre Melbourne pattern looms. In each of the past three Australian Grands Prix, the previous year's winner failed to finish. Norris must decide if he'll be the fourth victim or finally break the curse.

Why it matters:

• A DNF in Melbourne would hand early points to rivals, jeopardising McLaren’s title fight.
• Breaking the streak would give Norris a psychological edge and boost team morale.
• McLaren’s rivals will sense an opportunity, potentially altering their own strategies in the opening round.
• The trend means winners lose points and morale, often dropping in the standings after Melbourne.

The details:

• 2022: Leclerc won, then crashed out on lap 1 in 2023.
• 2023: Verstappen won, but suffered a mechanical failure on lap 15 in 2024.
• 2024: Sainz won, then spun off behind the safety car and retired in 2025.
• 2025: Norris will start on pole, hoping to break the streak.

What's next:

• Sunday’s race will reveal if the curse holds; a podium would end the three‑year trend.
• A strong result would give Norris momentum and could reshape the early championship battle.
• If Norris stays on the podium, McLaren could gain a decisive early lead in the constructors’ fight.