Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, McLaren chief designer Rob Marshall, and George Russell on the podium after a stunning Australian Grand Prix.Credit: Getty Images
George Russell (3rd)
“I was quite enjoying it [the conditions] to be honest, because I was hoping the two guys ahead would make a mistake and I could slip through but that just didn’t seem to be the case today – it was really, really tricky.
“That’s what F1’s about.”
Max Verstappen (2nd)
“It was a difficult race, of course, but at the end it was fun – Lando had a little moment on entry of [turn] six … he lost a lot of momentum there, so that’s why I got close and then I got the DRS, [but] it’s very hard to pass around here.
“It was fun, those last laps – pushing, at least when you’re fighting for the win.
“I’m just very happy to bring it home and score good points.
“This is a decent starting point for us.
Verstappen and Russell speak with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and Jackie Stewart in parc ferme.Credit: Getty Images
On his late-race strategy – staying out on slick tyres for as long as possible and not flinching with the drama unfolding around him: “It started to rain a bit … they [the McLarens] went off [the track]… almost into panic, so they went in [the pits]. I stayed out. The first lap [after], honestly, I think it was alright, but then unfortunately the weather continued a little bit more on the other side of the track as well. We then had to box [into the pits].
“At the end of the day, even if we did box one lap earlier, we would have still been P2 anyway after that stop.
“I think it [our strategy] was worth the gamble, you know.
“It was quite spicy out there with the slick tyres, but it was alright at the end.”
Lando Norris (race winner)
“It was amazing – a tough, tough race, especially with Max behind me [in the closing stages].
“I was pushing, especially the last two laps. It got a little bit stressful, I’m not going to lie.
“We [both McLarens] went off, we made some big mistakes, we went through the gravel… just tricky conditions, but these are the ones that are enjoyable and fun, and unpredictable. This time we got it right and ended up on top.
“We lost out on Silverstone, and Canada through a race like this [last year], so we’ve learnt from our mistakes.
“It’s still only round one of 24, but dealing with the pressure, dealing with Max, dealing with Oscar behind me… I was pushing the whole way through.
“To not make overly too many mistakes, to not make a mistake that cost me anything, I guess I can take a little bit of credit for that.
Melbourne’s Oscar Piastri was left heartbroken after spinning off in the race’s closing stages.Credit: Getty Images
In the final laps, staving off Verstappen: “I just drive. Max was quick – I knew I had good pace but I made one mistake at turn six and he got within the DRS [range]… I had to check my mirror a few more times than what I would have liked, but I stayed calm and kept it together.
“My weekend’s been amazing … it’s not easy to put a weekend together like this, especially when I’ve got a lot of pressure from Max and from Oscar, because they’re hungry and they’re competitive, and they want it just as badly, so [it was] stressful but I know what I’m capable of and I know what I can do. It’s just round one. We need to go and do it again next weekend and continue from there.”
