MOTORSPORT: Ferrari claims awesome Australian F1 Grand Prix

Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc registered a popular one-two result for Ferrari in the Rolex Australian Grand Formula 1 Prix, with the Spaniard once again breaking a Max Verstappen-winning streak in an encore performance of his 2023 success in Singapore.

Two weeks after an appendectomy, Sainz overcame significant discomfort and a lack of fitness to grind out the third win in his F1 career.

Following the bombshell off-season news that he is set to be replaced at Maranello by Lewis Hamilton for 2025, Sainz continues to put forward his credentials for a top seat in the sport.

“It was a really good race; I felt really good out there,” said Sainz.

“Of course, [I’m] a bit stiff, especially physically, it wasn’t the easiest, but I was lucky that I was more or less on my own and I could manage my pace, manage the tyres, manage everything.

“It wasn’t the toughest race of all, but yeah, very happy, very proud of the team.

“Life sometimes is crazy, what happened at beginning of year, then the podium in Bahrain, then the appendix, the comeback, the win … it’s a rollercoaster but I loved it and I’m extremely happy.”

Verstappen led the field away after claiming pole position with a record-breaking lap on Saturday, however Sainz struck early, sweeping past the Red Bull at the end of the back straight.

It soon became apparent that the Dutchman was suffering brake problems, with the car retiring to the pits aflame after only three of 58 circuits.

Coincidentally, the non-finish was his first in two years and followed on from a similarly fiery finish to his 2022 AGP.

Another big name to fall by the wayside early was Lewis Hamilton, who retired with an engine issue after 15 laps, necessitating a virtual safety car to remove the stricken Mercedes from the circuit after the seven-times champ ended a difficult weekend.

It was an unhappy race for the Mercedes camp after George Russell suffered a high-speed off at turn six, ending on his side in the middle of the track.

The race subsequently finished under yellow flag conditions, with Fernando Alonso receiving a 20sec penalty for his part in the incident, which demoted the Aston Martin two places in the final rundown.

That particular turn proved to be a tough one for competitors over the weekend, also claiming the Williams of Alex Albon on Friday, who commandeered the sister car of Logan Sargeant for the remainder of the event.

Elsewhere, McLaren’s ascendancy continued, with Lando Norris claiming third ahead of Aussie teammate Oscar Piastri, who was a crowd favourite but lacked the outright pace of the Brit on race day.

Sergio Perez was anonymous in the second Red Bull in fifth, finishing ahead of Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), then Yuki Tsunoda (RB), with the points-paying top 10 filled out by Alonso and the Haas duo of Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen.

Back in 12th was Daniel Ricciardo, who suffered a difficult event.

After initially looking to advance from the opening leg of qualifying in his RB, the Aussie was adjudged to have exceeded track limits on his flying lap, which saw him demoted to 18th on the grid, a penalty he wasn’t able to overcome on race day.

Formula 1 now takes a weekend off before returning on April 7 with the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.

2024 Australian Grand Prix results:

2024 Formula 1 championship standings:

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