Verstappen's retirement gives Ferrari a double in Australia, Sainz victorious

• The Australian Grand Prix offered spectators the first surprise of the year: Max Verstappen was defeated! Defeated because the Dutchman was forced to retire from the round of the Australian meeting this Sunday. Affected by a problem with his right rear brake which later turned into a fire, the pilot Red Bull was asked to return to his garage and never leave it again.

THE ABANDONMENT OF MAX VERSTAPPEN 😱

A mechanical problem forces the reigning World Champion to withdraw from the #AusGP ❌#F1 pic.twitter.com/xvZJoUJy5B

— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) March 24, 2024

• For the three-time world champion this is a huge setback since he remained in 43 Grands Prix without retirement. The last ? That of Australia already, in 2022. This also puts an end to his flawless performance at the start of the season since he won in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Also the end of a series of 9 consecutive victories that began in Japan last September.

Sainz's winning return

• Max Verstappen's misfortunes brought happiness to the clan Ferrari to start with Carlos Sainz. Back after his appendicitis operation a fortnight ago, the Madrilenian produced a very clean copy. Certainly lucky with the abandonment of his Dutch counterpart, the Spaniard subsequently mastered his subject, without ever trembling.
• At the helm of the race, the one who will leave the Scuderia at the end of the year has not made any mistakes, being able to apply his racing strategy without worry while protecting himself from his rivals.
• Behind him, Charles Leclerc played the model teammate and managed to get the better of Lando Norris, thanks to strategic play, to strengthen Ferrari's result in Australia. With its two drivers on the top step of the podium, the Scuderia signs a double for the first time in 46 Grands Prix (Bahrain 2022). A performance which confirms the formation of Maranello as the second force on the field at the moment.

SCUDERIA FERRARI’S DOUBLE 🔥🔥

Carlos Sainz wins the #AusGP in front of Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris ⚡️#F1 pic.twitter.com/1UKKIYWECN

— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) March 24, 2024

• Lando Norris took the third step of the podium in front Oscar piastri and Sergio Pérez who failed to move up the hierarchy despite his Red Bull.
• For the tricolor clan, Pierre Gasly et Esteban Ocon could not hope for anything without surprise. The second was even unlucky since a tear-off lodged in his right rear brake duct. This forced him to extend his pit stop and he came out last. Grand Prix ended for him who was never able to recover. Pierre Gasly took the checkerboard in 13th place.
• Note that the Grand Prix ended under virtual safety car regime after George Russell went off the track at turn 6. Sunday to forget for Mercedes who had lost Lewis Hamilton in the first laps after an engine failure. This latest incident allowed Haas to put his two cars in the points with Nico Hulkenberg 9th just ahead Kevin Magnussen.
• Fernando Alonso was found responsible for George Russell's accident: the Spaniard slowed down too much as he approached the corner according to the stewards, which disrupted the Mercedes. The double world champion received a 20-second penalty and fell to 8th place.

AWESOME RUSSELL CRASH 😱

George Russell loses the back of his car in the last lap 🤯
The pilot is fine!#AusGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/8olhO4fgNO

— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) March 24, 2024

Australian GP – Ranking

(Rankings updated after Fernando Alonso penalty)

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