Reigning Formula One champion Lando Norris conceded that McLaren "finished where we deserved to" after the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

After qualifying in sixth, Norris took the chequered flag in fifth in Melbourne, while team-mate Oscar Piastri did not start the race after spinning out on the formation lap. 

Mercedes duo George Russell and Kimi Antonelli crossed the line in first and second, respectively, while the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc took the final podium place. 

Norris, who became the 11th British driver to become F1 champion in 2025, endured a difficult race, as he failed to challenge for a spot in the top three. 

And the Briton conceded that the constructors' champions were deserving of taking just 10 points in Australia, which leaves them behind both Ferrari and Mercedes. 

"We finished where we deserved to. I think it was quite clear that the Red Bull was quicker. Max came from last and almost beat us," Norris conceded. 

Not the first race of the season we had hoped for. Lots of learnings to take away before we reset ahead of a Sprint weekend in China #McLarenF1 | #AusGP  pic.twitter.com/HvOQ60Kr9S

— McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team (@McLarenF1) March 8, 2026

Norris also expressed his concern not only for the drivers, but also for the spectators as the new F1 season started with its new set of regulations. 

A new overtake mode affords a boost of speed for a driver to attack a rival who is slowing down to regenerate their battery and thus creating a significant difference.

"It is chaos, and we are going to have a big accident, which is a shame because we are driving and the ones just waiting for something to happen and to go quite horribly wrong and that is not a nice position to be in," Norris added. 

"Depending on what drivers do, you can have closing speeds of 30, 40, 50kph, and when someone hits another driver at that speed, you are going to fly and go over the fence and do a lot of damage to yourself and maybe to others and that is a pretty horrible thing to think about."

Max Verstappen, who finished one place behind Norris, has said on multiple occasions that his future in the sport will hinge on whether he enjoys this season's regulations.

"I love racing but you can only take so much," he said after driving back from 20th to sixth. "I think F1 and the FIA are willing to listen, but I hope there is some action.

"It is not that I am the only one saying it. We are not critical just to be critical. We are critical for a reason.

"We want it to be Formula One, proper Formula One on steroids, but today that wasn't the case.

"What they [F1] should worry about is the rules. Focus on that.

"They ask questions and I give my opinion on what I would like to see and think is better for the sport because I do care about it, I love racing, and I want it to be better than this."

But it was a day to remember for Racing Bulls' Arvid Lindbald, who became the youngest Briton to race in F1, and came home in eighth place. 

At the age of 18 years and 213 days, he is the fourth-youngest driver to compete in the competition after Verstappen (17 years and 166 days), Lance Stroll (18 years and 148 days) and Kimi Antonelli (18 years and 203 days).

"I've only done one weekend, I don't want to talk too much. Coming into this weekend, a lot of people said there was going to be a lot of pressure," Lindbald said. 

"In the end, I am here for myself. I worked my whole life to get to F1, I don't have to do it for anyone. I am here for myself.

"When I was five years old, I had a dream and my dream was to be in F1, and I am living my dream."