Carlos Sainz.
MARK PETERSON / REUTERS
Event in Melbourne. Carlos Sainz won for the third time in his career in F1. Ferrari scores a double thanks to Charles Leclerc while Lando Norris completes the podium. Max Verstappen retired on the 3rd lap.
The champion has fallen. If you set your alarm for this Australian event this Sunday morning, you attended an event. Max Verstappen didn’t win. Even more surprising, the Dutchman was not even at the finish of the Australian Grand Prix, the third round of the Formula 1 season. The insatiable Dutchman, despite starting from pole, retired on the third lap, victim of overheating of a brake duct (right rear) which caused a fire to start and his race to stop on the 3rd lap. A rarity.
Sainz does well, doubles Ferrari
And like in Singapore last year, Red Bull’s only defeat in 2023, it was Carlos Sainz who benefited. It must be said that the Spaniard, who had appendicitis surgery only two weeks ago (!!), had already done the job. Well off to a good start, he remained in Verstappen’s exhausts at the start and even jumped him, in the heart of lap 2, with the help of DRS. For the first time this season, the Dutchman was behind another car. But not for long then. Rid of the Batavian glutton in the 3rd round, Carlos Sainz then raised his voice. Driving a second faster than the competition at the start of the race, managing his stops, the Iberian was impeccable to achieve a third career success and a double for Ferrari since Charles Leclerc took second place ahead of Lando Norris ( McLaren) in Melbourne.
Alpine still very far away
For the rest, we’re not going to lie, this Australian episode will not be remembered. Faced with a significant deterioration of the tires, the drivers had to manage more during the race. The Ferraris controlled the front while the McLarens did well with fourth place also from Oscar Piastri. And Red Bull then? Without Verstappen, Sergio Perez did not save Austrian hopes. The Mexican delivered an anonymous race (5th) and the first questions arise about the dark blue car.
Finally, a word about Alpine. Another difficult weekend for the Blues who finished more than one round behind. Pierre Gasly took 13th position while Esteban Ocon finished 16th…far, far away. A complicated Sunday for the French, just like that of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes. The Briton, who exited in Q2 on Saturday, retired on the 17th lap after a total loss of power. Clearly, the world champions were not celebrating in Australia. And George Russell smashed his car into the wall on the last lap. Not Sunday for the German brand. See you in two weeks at Suzuka for the Japanese Grand Prix, the fourth round of the season.
