Reigning Formula One champion Max Verstappen failed to finish the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday, ending his streak of nine consecutive wins. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, just two weeks removed from an appendix surgery, won the race ahead of his teammate Charles Leclerc and McLaren’s Lando Norris.
Verstappen started the race from the pole position and was in the lead after three laps when his car caught fire. This was the first time he was forced to retire after 2022 and 43 consecutive races.
After Verstappen dropped out, Sainz emerged as the leader and never relinquished his first position. This was the first win for the Spaniard since Singapore Grand Prix in 2023 and third in his career.
“Life sometimes is crazy, you know. What happened at the beginning of the year, then the podium in Bahrain, then appendix, the comeback, the win, it’s a roller coaster. But I loved it,” said Sainz after the race.
Despite not getting any points in Melbourne, Verstappen is still sitting at the top of F1 Driver’s Standings with 51 points. Leclerc is second with 47 followed by Red Bull’s Sergio Perez (46), Sainz (40), and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri (28). Red Bull is first in the Team Standings with 97 points, followed by Ferrari and McLaren.
