Well, that was all rather fun, wasnโt it? For the first time in a decade, a packed-out Albert Park Circuit watched on as McLaren raced to a podium in the Australian Grand Prix, with Lando scoring our first silverware of the season. Backed up by home hero, Oscar Piastri in fourth, we scored our highest haul of points (27) since the Qatar Grand Prix in 2023.
The Aussie crowd were as buoyant as ever: outside of points and silverware, the weekend was dominated by huge cardboard heads, home hero chants and the spellbinding Melbourne Walk, ensuring the action was as entertaining off the track as it was on it.
As always, the Papaya Army were just as vocal on social media as you were at the circuit, filling up our feeds with your usual collection of selfies, messages of support, and memes. After the podium celebrations had calmed, we went back through them all and selected our favourites.
Hereโs the Australian Grand Prix according to social mediaโฆ
Aussies in Arms.
This is what happens when we give Lando admin duties.
โLittle Lando Norrisโ started his first F1 race at the Albert Park Circuit in 2019.
Speaking of trips down memory lane.
We reckon we need one for the McLaren Technology Centre, donโt you agree, McLaren Automotive?
Ohhhhhhhh, Oscar Piastri! Weโll be singing this all week.
Weย ๐งก the Melbourne Walk!
Oscar at home is such a vibe.
GโDay, Lando! ๐ Melbourne is very much in the 'home away from home' territory for us at McLaren.
Weโre not crying, Jake, you are.
Stop it, this is too cute!
Probably playing what's in the box box box... (If you know, you know).
Melbourne, youโve got our little papaya hearts.
We knew we recognised this photo, @Nimarkna4!
Oscarโs Grandma really knows how to keep our energy up.
Oscarโs Oz-inspired lid had us jumping for joy.
You heard them, Oscar. What @darth_nirvana said.
A strong quali and a great chance to score some plenty of points.
Scratch that. A fantastic quali and an excellent chance to score plenty of strong points.
And it always will be.
Albert Park Circuit was rocking! Papaya as far as the eye can see.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the worldโฆ Our European fans were waking up in the middle of the night to tune in.
Lando and Oscar held their positions at the start, putting them in a prime position for when Verstappen retired early on in the Australian Grand Prixโฆ Suddenly, we had a race on our hands. Dig deep, boys.ย ๐ช
The tension is too much. Bring it home, team.
Bonzer! Our biggest haul of points since Japan 2023.
Thatโs 14 podiums from 10 different tracks for our British star.
We all knew it was coming, didnโt we?
Nice to see you recovered, congratulations on your return to the top step, friend.ย
Our hometown hero.
Fourth place in your second-ever home Grand Prix, what an performance OP. You did us proud.ย
Thanks, as always, for your incredible support Papaya Army.ย
Time to head back to the MTC to rest up and debrief. Enjoy the short break and weโll see you in Japan in less than two weeks, ready and raring to go again.

