Norris' narrow Australian GP win over Verstappen belies McLaren dominance

F1 season -opening race in Melbourne was one of the most exciting races of the season .

Dutch driver Verstappen kept the pressure on until the final corner of the final lap.

McLaren 's ability to look after its tyres was a key area in which the reigning constructors' champions are leading the way.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella had not expected his team's car to have such a margin over its rivals this season .

McLaren driver Lando Norris won the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on Sunday .

Oscar Piastri crashed into a wall of rain at Turn 12 and slid wide and ran and through the gravel.

The two McLarens held a 16-second lead over Red Bull's Max Verstappen on lap 34 when Fernando Alonso spun into the wall and brought out a safety car.

The McLaren driver says the car seems to have achieved some of the objectives McLaren gave themselves.

"I do think we're favourites because the team has done an amazing job, and the car is flying," says Lewis Hamilton .

"If you relax in this position, you fail. In Formula 1 , if you start thinking things are good and groovy, that's when you get caught".