A sudden heavy rain shower caused chaos in the Australian Grand Prix, as home hero Oscar Piastri slid off the circuit. McLaren had been looking set for a one-two finish in the season-opening race, before heavy rain suddenly fell in the final sector on Lap 44. Race leader Lando Norris went through the gravel on the exit of Turn 12, before Piastri followed suit and found himself out of shape into the penultimate corner. Piastri slid off and become stuck in the grass, before eventually managing to get his McLaren running again. The mistake caused a huge roar of despair from the home supporters, with Piastri having dropped to 13th. All drivers had been on slick tyres, but quickly all pitted for intermediate tyres. Shortly after, a third safety car was triggered following crashes for Liam Lawson and Gabriel Bortoleto. On Lap 49, Norris led, ahead of Max Verstappen and George Russell.

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