Carlos Sainz wins the Australian Grand Prix in a Ferrari 1-2, following Max Verstappen’s DNF
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz flooded to triumph at the Australian Grand Prix Sunday to snap Red Bull’s triumphant beginning to the season after three-time title holder Max Verstappen shockingly neglected to wrap up.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz flooded to triumph at the Australian Stupendous Prix Sunday to snap Red Bull’s triumphant beginning to the season after three-time title holder Max Verstappen incredibly neglected to wrap up. The Spaniard, who had an infected appendix medical procedure fourteen days prior and missed the last race, took the checkered banner 2.3 seconds in front of partner Charles Leclerc, with McLaren’s Lando Norris a strong third. It was Sainz’s third stupendous prix win and first since Singapore last year. Yet, it was a sad day for post-sitter Verstappen, who limped out with smoke surging from his vehicle subsequent to being passed by first-line accomplice Sainz on lap two.
“I have smoke, blue smoke, fire, fire,” the Dutchman said in the group radio before his most memorable retirement in over two years after what seemed, by all accounts, to be a back brake issue.
It was likewise a repulsive race for Lewis Hamilton in his conflicting Mercedes, with the English seven-time title holder enduring motor disappointment on lap 17.
To add to Mercedes’ burdens, colleague George Russell crashed intensely on the last lap, with the vehicle finishing on its side. Russell moved out sound.
Verstappen earnestly won the initial two grands prix of the time in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in a Red Bull 1-2 and was hot number one to make it three from three.
He had been expecting to match his own record set last year of 10 continuous successes—one more than Sebastian Vettel in 2013—and was unbeaten in his last 18 beginnings from the shaft position.
However, while Verstappen was expected to win, the Ferraris had demonstrated exceptionally serious by-and-by and qualifying on the quick and streaming Albert Park track.
Regardless of not being completely fit, Sainz bested Q1 and Q2 to discharge an advance notice shot before Verstappen jumped in Q3.
“P1 child, P1 child, it’s astonishing. Life’s a rollercoaster on occasion, said Sainz, whose seat at Ferrari is to be taken by Hamilton one year from now.
‘Wasn’t simple, actually’
“Extremely cheerful; I learned about truly extraordinary things there. Obviously, it wasn’t simple, however, I was fortunate I was pretty much on my own out there and I could deal with my speed.”
On a fine day, Oscar Piastri in the other McLaren was fourth in front of Sergio Perez in the subsequent Red Bull. Fernando Alonso was sixth in front of Aston Martin partner Spear Walk.
RB’s Yuki Tsunoda was eighth, with Haas pair Nico Hulkenburg and Kevin Magnussen balancing the main 10.
“It feels far better generally for the group, obviously; first and second didn’t occur since Bahrain 2022,” said Leclerc.
“Carlos has had an extraordinary end of the week to return from his medical procedure; he’s done an astonishing race.”
Verstappen made a new beginning and pulled clear of Sainz when the lights went out, with Norris clutching third as they jarred for position.
In any case, his lead didn’t endure, with Sainz opening his DRS on lap two to cut past and start to lead the pack.
“I just lost the vehicle—super unusual,” Verstappen said on the radio before smoke began spilling out and he made a beeline for the pits and retirement.
The race took on an alternate trademark, with Sainz driving from Norris and Leclerc and Perez down in 6th.
The refueling breaks started on lap eight with Hamilton coming in, trailed by his Mercedes colleague George Russell, with both having begun on delicate tires to the modes of nearly every other person.
Sainz pitted on lap 17.
With the stops done, Sainz had a 2.6-second lead over Leclerc at the midway imprint, firmly followed by Piastri and Norris.
With no Verstappen to battle with, the Spaniard continuously fabricated the hole as Norris passed Piastri to move into third.
Leclerc pitted again as his tires started coming up short, and he returned out in fifth on hards; however, with new elastic, he immediately flooded back to second.
Once more, Sainz likewise hollowed out and held a thin lead to journey home before 130,000 fans.
