The 2026 Formula 1 season begins this weekend with the Australian GP between March 6 and 8. And this year, the one coming with the mission to defend the title is Lando Norris after a very fierce fight in 2025.
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Last year, the McLaren driver started his campaign by securing the triumph in Melbourne with Max Verstappen in second and George Russell completing the podium of the race – the triumph came in an impressive manner due to the wet and complicated conditions.
And despite it being a positive start to his season, the achievement placed the Briton in an unusual sequence associated with the winners of the Australian GP.
In Formula 1’s last three visits to Albert Park, the driver who won the previous year failed to cross the finish line in the race in the following edition at the circuit.
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This started with Charles Leclerc, who in 2022 managed to win in Melbourne, but 12 months later collided with Lance Stroll at the start and retired – the winner was Verstappen in 2023.
It turns out that the following year, in 2024, the Dutchman from Red Bull had to retire due to mechanical problems. This helped Carlos Sainz climb to the top step of the podium, achieving the first of two victories that season.
Then, last year, the Spaniard was one of the victims of the wet track, spun behind the safety car and retired, leaving the way clear for Lando to take the triumph.
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