Formula 1
Ferrari’s double victory on Sunday at the Australian GP with the triumphant return of Carlos Sainz just two weeks after his appendix operation caused joy and relief not only in Italy. “Ferrari opens the World Cup. A red cloud is gathering – for now – in the blue sky,” said “La Gazzetta dello Sport” with a view to the title fight being open again. In any case, world champion Max Verstappen and Red Bull were deeply frustrated after the end of their winning streak.
25.03.2024 13.02
Online since today, 1:02 p.m
In the World Cup standings, Verstappen’s lead dwindled after the failure. After the victories at the start in Bahrain and at the Saudi Arabian GP in Jeddah, the Dutchman is only four points ahead of Charles Leclerc, who completed the Ferrari triumph in Melbourne with second place. Sergio Perez is another point behind in the second Red Bull . Australia winner Sainz is eleven points behind Verstappen, although the Spaniard only took part in two of three races due to his appendix operation.
In his third career victory, Sainz benefited above all from Verstappen’s braking disaster; the big favorite retired after four laps with a smoking Red Bull tail. “The brake no longer released,” said motorsport consultant Helmut Marko, describing the problem. “Red Bull’s aura of invincibility goes up in flames and ignites the Formula 1 battle,” said the Guardian from England. The fact that Sainz was able to be there when the defending champions failed after nine wins in a row across the seasons was a race against time.
Ferrari storms to a double victory in Melbourne
Ferrari celebrated its first double victory since Bahrain 2022 at the Australian Grand Prix. Carlos Sainz won in Melbourne ahead of Charles Leclerc. In addition to the season dominator Max Verstappen, the two Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell also retired.
“From the hospital to triumph”
He spent seven days in bed after the operation in Jeddah, where youngster Oliver Bearman represented him. Then work on the comeback began immediately, including exchanges with doctors and athletes as well as therapy in a hyperbaric chamber. Before the flight to Australia, Sainz thought: “It won’t work.” But how something came of it! “My body is still in defense mode,” said the exhausted Sainz after the minutes of celebration in front of his dad Carlos and girlfriend Rebecca. “I do everything more slowly and carefully.”
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Ferrari double victory with Verstappen-Out
The 29-year-old enjoyed the sip of champagne even more after the race in the confetti rain. “I like this rollercoaster ride. Life is simply unbelievable sometimes,” said Sainz, who, euphoric about his new gut feeling, gave his Formula 1 colleagues some medical advice for the long journey home. After his triumphant ride in Melbourne’s Albert Park just two weeks after an appendectomy, the 29-year-old joked: “I’ll recommend all riders take it out this winter.”
Red Bull doesn’t believe in changing the World Cup
After the “Miracle of Sainz: From the Hospital to Triumph” (“La Stampa”), he is likely to have increased his market value for potential new employers. “I don’t know,” he said and then quickly added: “But it doesn’t do any harm 100 percent.” After this season he has to make way for record world champion Lewis Hamilton, who continues to weaken at and with Mercedes – out in Australia due to an engine defect make.
Ferrari can enjoy the end of the Melbourne weekend after the “Scuderia”’s first double success since Bahrain 2022. After the Verstappen debacle – his first failure since Australia in 2022 – Red Bull is looking for the cause. At least motorsports consultant Marko is far from believing that there will be a turnaround in the World Cup fight. “Ferrari is certainly a danger,” he admitted. “But you can get that under control with Max.” Whether this is the case will be seen in two weeks on April 7th (7:00 a.m. CEST, live on ORF1) at the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka.
