We thought Max Verstappen was unbeatable. It is clear that the three-time reigning world champion is not. Forced to retire in the fourth round of the Australian Grand Prix, the Dutchman, after nine consecutive victories, gave way to the competition.
Put in difficulty despite his pole position, and even overtaken regularly by Carlos Sainz (Ferrari), Verstappen saw his RB20 let him down. The fault is a brake disc. With the right rear wheel smoking, soon to be on fire, Max Verstappen ended up putting on the indicator to pull into the pits, and observe, dismayed, the damage to his car.
Sainz and Ferrari take advantage of the gift
A first since April 10, 2022, the date of his last retirement in F1… already in Australia. The Red Bull driver had, therefore, completed 43 consecutive races by crossing the checkered flag, coming dangerously close to Lewis Hamilton’s record (48).
An opportunity seized to perfection by Carlos Sainz. The Spaniard, who started on the front row and therefore in the lead of the Grand Prix at the time of this race, did not let go of his prey, he who had already stopped Verstappen’s series last year (10 successes in a row ) by winning in Singapore last November.
Returning from an appendicitis operation which deprived him of the Saudi Arabian GP, the Ferrari driver made no mistakes, without being bothered by the reliability of his car, unlike Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) , also forced to retire on the 15th lap.
Despite the rapid exit from the virtual safety car, Sainz quickly escaped to victory, stringing together best lap after best lap at the start of the race and leaving his teammate Charles Leclerc to fight with the two McLarens for the places on the podium.
In this game, the Monegasque got the better of Lando Norris, 3rd, and Oscar Piastri, 4th at home, who perpetuates the curse of Albert Park. Never has an Aussie been on the podium of his national Grand Prix in 37 editions.
Fear for Russell
Starting 6th after a penalty, Sergio Perez was never able to avenge his teammate’s retirement, and was unable to do better than a Top 5.
Just behind him, the battle for 6th place between Fernando Alonso and George Russell ended badly. While attacking in the penultimate race, the Briton lost control of his car, which almost flipped across the track, bringing the Grand Prix to a premature end.
Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll, Yuki Tsunoda and the two Haas of Nico Hülkenberg and Kevin Magnussen complete the Top 10 of a Grand Prix, still as eventful, a year after the eight retirements from a chaotic race. At the back of the grid, Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon leave Melbourne without a single point, as they have since the start of the season.
After three Grand Prix, Alpine is, without a doubt, the weakest force on the grid. Up front, Verstappen’s zero points change everything and (already) relaunch the championship. Still in the lead, the Dutchman only has 4 points ahead of Leclerc, 5 over Sergio Perez. Big winner this Sunday, Carlos Sainz is on the lookout at 11 points. These four are already meeting in two weeks in Suzuka (Japan).
