Ferrari take out one-two in Australia

Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz emerged victorious at the Australian Grand Prix, marking the first non-Red Bull win of the season. Sainz’s triumph came amidst a series of dramatic events, starting with reigning world champion Max Verstappen encountering technical troubles early on, which eventually led to his retirement from the race.

Credit: Erika Di Guido

Verstappen, aiming for a record-equalling 10th consecutive win, initially led from pole position but soon encountered issues with his brakes. As smoke billowed from his RB20, Verstappen was forced to relinquish his position, allowing Sainz to seize the lead and maintain a commanding pace throughout the race. Verstappen's retirement marked his first in two years, adding a surprising twist to the competition.

In Verstappen’s absence, Sainz capitalized, extending his lead over his competitors. Charles Leclerc, his Ferrari teammate, executed a strategic undercut on Lando Norris to secure a second-place finish, contributing to Ferrari’s first one-two finish since the 2022 season opener. Meanwhile, Norris secured a breakthrough maiden podium for McLaren, showcasing his potential in the competitive field.

Local favorite Oscar Piastri showed promise by briefly challenging for a podium position but ultimately settled for fourth place after encountering setbacks. Sergio Perez, driving for Red Bull, followed closely behind in fifth position, securing valuable points for the team.

The race witnessed a dramatic incident involving George Russell, who crashed out while attempting to overtake Fernando Alonso. The collision brought out a Virtual Safety Car, prompting stewards to investigate Alonso's role in the incident. Subsequently, Alonso was penalized, dropping him from sixth to eighth position post-race. This decision elevated Lance Stroll to sixth and Yuki Tsunoda to seventh, providing Red Bull their first reward of the season.

Notably, Haas secured a welcome clutch of points with Nico Hulkenberg finishing ninth and Kevin Magnussen rounding off the top ten. The Australian Grand Prix delivered unexpected outcomes, reshuffling the standings and setting the stage for an exciting season ahead. Sainz’s victory serves as a testament to Ferrari’s resurgence and the unpredictability inherent in Formula 1 racing.