Fernando Alonso's crash out of the Australian Grand Prix triggered a round of pit stops that turned the season-opener on its head. Following three crashes before the end of lap 1 for Isack Hadjar, Jack Doohan, and Carlos Sainz, the race settled down with the field on intermediate tyres as the track continued to dry. Lando Norris led from Oscar Piastri after he passed the fast-starting Max Verstappen, but the world champion made a rare mistake at Turn 11, allowing the Australian through to chase after leader Norris. The two McLarens were told to hold station as they dropped Verstappen, who was complaining of a lack of grip, falling more than 16s behind by the time of Alonso's crash from P10 at Turn 6. The Aston Martin driver, the most experienced in the field, dipped a wheel into the gravel and was spat backwards into the wall, bringing out the safety car and allowing the field to change to slick tyres. Norris and Piastri took on hard tyres for the remaining laps, with Verstappen third on the mediums. The running order on lap 37 of 57 is below. Norris Piastri Verstappen Russell Leclerc Tsunoda Albon Hamilton Gasly Antonelli Stroll Hulkenberg Bortoleto Ocon Bearman Lawson DNF. Alonso, Sainz, Doohan, Hadjar.
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