Formula 1 in Australia: Carlos Sainz takes advantage of Max Verstappen’s abandonment and wins with Ferrari

Carlos Sainz he returned with everything to the Formula 1. After missing the second round of the season two weeks ago due to emergency surgery for appendicitis, the Ferrari driver took full control of the indisputable victory in the Australian Grand Prixwhere it was supposed to abandon Max Verstappenarrived in Melbourne with a series of 19 victories in the last 20 competitions.

Although the Dutchman started from pole position after taking his third pole of the year in as many engagements, Sainz, who accompanied him on the front row, turned to DRS on the second lap and overtook him with authority on the second lap.

Two laps later, problems began for the three-time champion: his unit started to catch fire in the right rear wheel area and he had to quickly return to the pits. In fact, as soon as he entered, he registered a sort of explosion.

Red Bull’s mechanics immediately put out the flames, but retirement, the Dutchman’s first since the 2022 Australian Grand Prix, was inevitable, as was the end of his streak of nine consecutive victories.

Without the pressure of having the championship leader behind him, Sainz managed the rest of the race without major complications, also benefiting because for much of the test the top positions were monopolized by Ferrari, due to the Monegasque Charles Leclerc who ran as guard shooter.

The Spaniard once again found himself between Verstappen and victory, as happened in the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix, when he achieved his second victory with the Italian brand which this Sunday, at dawn in Argentina, secured 1-2 in Melbourne thanks to Leclerc’s second place.

Behind the Ferrari duo were the McLaren drivers, the Englishman Lando Norris and the local Oscar Piastri, in third and fourth place respectively.

For his part, seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton completed a forgettable weekend in Australia and retired prematurely with engine failure in his Mercedes. His teammate, George Russell, also didn’t have much luck because he made a mistake on the last lap, was crossed on the track and forced the competition to end with the race practically neutralized.

The next Formula 1 event, the fourth of the season, will be the Japanese Grand Prix, which will take place from 5 to 7 April at the Suzuka International Speedway.

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