The Japan Times - Australian Grand Prix: What we learned

AFP Sport looks at what we learned from the rain-hit opening race of the 24-stop calendar:

- McLaren set gold standard -

McLaren came into the race as the pre-season favourites and lived up to the billing.

After a front row lock-out, pole-sitter Norris led from start to finish, weathering a late charge from Verstappen.

Teammate Oscar Piastri was ninth, but only because he slid on to the grass late in the race, when running second, after being fast all weekend.

The two McLaren drivers opened a 16-second gap on Verstappen in the first half of the race -- a better reflection of their advantage than the close finish caused by a safety car.

"I think we do, by a little margin, have the best car. I'm not denying that," said Norris

Team principal Andrea Stella was more circumspect.

"It will take a few more races until we can better understand the true competitive order," he said.

- Ferrari have work to do -

Eighth and 10th for Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton was not the start they envisaged.

The cars were competitive in practice, but a strategic blunder during the race cost points when both were called in a lap late for intermediate tyres.

"We can't be happy with the result as it doesn't match the potential of our car and that means, as a team, we didn't do a good job," admitted team principal Fred Vasseur.

"As for positives from the weekend, we had strong pace on Friday in both qualifying and race trim, matching Mercedes and Red Bull, just a bit behind McLaren.

"It's also good that in a few days we will be back on track, which means that very soon we will be able to evaluate our potential once again."

- Rookies' baptism of fire -

Six rookies started their first full season as Formula One drivers in Australia but only one shone -- 18-year-old Italian Kimi Antonelli.

In his first F1 race, the Mercedes driver stormed to a composed fourth from 16th on the grid, ahead of both Ferraris.

"Kimi showed a great deal of maturity, in addition to the speed we know he has," said team boss Toto Wolff.

The other five had a torrid time.

RB's Isack Hadjar did not make it to the grid after sliding into the wall on the formation lap.

Red Bull's Liam Lawson, Alpine's Jack Doohan and Sauber's Gabriel Bortoleto all failed to finish.

Haas's Ollie Bearman crashed heavily in first practice and failed to set a time in qualifying.

But he did get through the race after starting from the pit lane to bolster his confidence -- coming 14th and last.

- Williams stake midfield claim -

There is always speculation how the midfield will shape up at the start of each season behind the big four of McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes.

Williams staked an early claim to be "best of the rest" as Alex Albon powered to fifth in Melbourne, ahead of both Ferraris and the McLaren of Piastri.

"The midfield is still hard but I think we're at the top end of it now," said Albon.

Last year Williams scored only 17 points, 10 in one race at Azerbaijan.

"We reflect on where we were 12 months ago and it's just a world of difference," said team principal James Vowles.

M.Fujitav--JT