Carlos Sainz of Ferrari claimed a remarkable victory at the Australian Grand Prix, marking a significant turnaround after his recent surgery and absence from the last race.
He finished a mere 2.3 seconds ahead of his teammate Charles Leclerc, with Lando Norris of McLaren securing a commendable third place.
This win represents Sainz’s third career grand prix victory, his last being at the Singapore Grand Prix the previous year. However, the event was less fortunate for Max Verstappen, the Red Bull driver and pole position holder, who had to retire early due to car troubles, ending his impressive winning streak.
Lewis Hamilton also faced a challenging race, with his Mercedes suffering an engine failure, and his teammate George Russell experiencing a severe crash, although he emerged without injury.
Despite not being in peak physical condition, Sainz managed to outperform in the qualifying rounds and maintained his lead throughout the race. His teammate Leclerc praised the team’s overall performance, highlighting the significance of their one-two finish, a feat not achieved since the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2022.
The race saw a shift in dynamics after Verstappen’s exit, with Sainz taking the lead. Pit stops began around lap eight, with several drivers, including Hamilton and Russell, switching from soft to medium tires.
Sainz’s strategic pit stop on lap 17 allowed him to maintain his lead and ultimately secure the win in front of a massive crowd of 130,000 spectators. The event was a testament to Sainz’s resilience and the competitive spirit of Formula 1 racing.
Source: AFP.
