Formula 1: Sainz victory after sick leave – debacle for Verstappen

Carlos Sainz was recently lying in bed after an appendectomy. In Australia, the Ferrari driver delivers a strong application drive – and benefits from a disaster for Max Verstappen.

Euphoric with a new gut feeling, the joking Carlos Sainz had some medical advice for his Formula 1 colleagues. “I will recommend to all drivers to take it out this winter,” said the Ferrari driver with a wink after his comeback victory at the Australian Grand Prix just two weeks after an appendectomy that cost him the race in Saudi Arabia.

It was a race against time for the Spaniard, who has to make way for record world champion Lewis Hamilton next season and is still without a cockpit for 2025, to get fit in time. Sainz must have enjoyed the generous sip of champagne in the confetti rain in Melbourne all the more sparklingly.

A selfie for the Scuderia family album

“I like this roller coaster ride. Life is just unbelievable sometimes,” said Sainz after his third career victory, in which he also benefited from a braking disaster for world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull. “What a great performance by Carlos and the Ferrari team,” said Red Bull team boss Christian Horner.

Ahead of teammate Charles Leclerc, Sainz even completed Ferrari’s first double success since Bahrain in 2022. “Carlos did the better job all weekend, he deserves this victory,” said the Monegasque, who immediately had to take a selfie with the Spaniard for the Scuderia family album.

Sainz: Therapy in a hyperbaric chamber

The fact that Sainz was able to win the third race of the year and break Verstappen’s winning streak of nine Grand Prix across seasons also had a lot to do with his enthusiasm. 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.”

Verstappen radios: “Fire, fire”

Verstappen didn’t have much time on the asphalt. Despite his 35th career pole, he was ousted from the lead by Sainz after just two laps. “The brakes haven’t released anymore,” said Red Bull motorsport consultant Helmut Marko, describing the problem faced by the still world championship leader. “As a result, the brake got completely stuck.”

On the fourth lap, Verstappen alerted the command post: “There is smoke, blue smoke, fire, fire.” The Dutchman’s Red Bull became slower and slower and passed to the end of the field. Flames shot out of the right rear wheel as Verstappen drove his car into the garage.

The world champion’s brakes are stuck

The crew put out the fire immediately, but the world champion had to park his car after just five laps. Uncomprehending and annoyed, Verstappen took off his helmet. Wearing a T-shirt, Verstappen then discussed the fiasco with team boss Horner at the command post. “As soon as the lights went out, the right brake stuck, so the car was difficult to drive from the start. It was very sluggish,” explained Verstappen after his first failure since Australia in 2022. “If the brake is stuck, then that doesn’t help. “

Sainz took advantage of this mercilessly. “I felt really good out there,” said the 29-year-old, who initially felt “a bit rusty” and became increasingly stiff in the cockpit as the time went on.

Hülkenberg gets two valuable points

With his victory from sick leave, Sainz has certainly increased his market value for potential new employers. “I don’t know,” he said and then quickly added: “But it’s 100 percent not harmful.”

Nico Hülkenberg also did his own advertising. Starting from 16th position, he fought for two valuable points in ninth place in the Haas; he had previously finished tenth in Saudi Arabia. “The bottom line is that the speed was quite okay compared to the other midfield teams,” said Hülkenberg on the TV channel Sky.

Marko admits: “Ferrari is certainly a danger”

His stable rival Kevin Magnussen finished tenth. “We scored points twice, also fortunately due to the racing circumstances, you have to stay so fair and realistic,” said Hülkenberg, referring to Verstappen’s retirement and Mercedes driver George Russell’s crash on the last lap.

Ferrari can enjoy the end of the Melbourne weekend, Red Bull is looking for the cause after the Verstappen debacle. 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.”

dpa

#Subjects