Carlos Sainz secured a remarkable victory at the Australian Grand Prix, ending Max Verstappen’s dominance this season as the Red Bull driver was forced to retire from the race due to mechanical issues. Sainz’s triumph was all the more impressive considering it was his first race back after undergoing appendix surgery just two weeks prior. The Spaniard started second on the grid, behind Verstappen, and quickly overtook the three-time world champion on the second lap.
Shortly after losing the lead, Verstappen encountered serious problems with his car, reporting over the radio, “I have smoke, fire, fire, brake, my brake.” The Dutchman was forced to retire from the race, citing brake failure as the cause, marking his first DNF since the 2022 Australian Grand Prix. Verstappen’s early exit opened up the field, but Sainz’s lead remained unchallenged throughout the race.
Sainz’s victory was a huge boost for Ferrari, with teammate Charles Leclerc finishing in second place, completing a 1-2 finish for the Scuderia. The win was a significant achievement for Sainz, who managed to dominate despite the physical toll of his recent surgery. “I felt really good out there,” Sainz told Sky Sports. “Physically it wasn’t the easiest, but I was lucky I was more or less on my own and could manage my pace, my tires, and everything else. I’m very happy, proud of the team, and thrilled to be part of a 1-2 with Charles here.”
Behind the Ferrari duo, McLaren had a strong showing with Lando Norris taking third place, and his teammate Oscar Piastri finishing fourth. Despite their strong cars, Red Bull had a tough race day, as Sergio Pérez could only manage a fifth-place finish, unable to challenge the frontrunners.
Mercedes endured a disastrous race, with both drivers failing to finish. Lewis Hamilton retired on lap 17 due to an engine failure, while George Russell crashed into the wall on the final lap while chasing sixth place, leading to a virtual safety car that effectively ended the race.
Sainz’s victory and Ferrari’s dominant performance have shaken up the championship race, bringing renewed hope to the team after a challenging start to the season. Meanwhile, Verstappen and Red Bull will be looking to regroup after a rare and costly setback.