Although Max Verstappen due to a problem with his brakes did not play a significant role in Australia, international media expect that the Dutchman will ‘normally’ start again as favorite in Japan at the beginning of April. The victory of Carlos Sainz, recovering from an appendectomy, is nevertheless praised. “It’s a miracle, two days ago it wasn’t even clear whether he could participate.”
“Although Verstappen drove almost flawlessly over the past two seasons, his remarkable dominance was also due to the brilliant reliability of Red Bull,” Sky Sports analyzes. ‘The last time Verstappen did not finish was in 2022, coincidentally on the same circuit.’
‘Now that Perez was unable to make things difficult for Ferrari and McLaren, the neutral Formula 1 enthusiasts will hope that a more competitive title battle lies ahead than last year. “There is little doubt, however, that Verstappen will start as favorite when the season resumes in two weeks’ time at the Japanese Grand Prix, at a Suzuka circuit that has been among Red Bull’s best in recent years.”
Watch the summary of the Australian Grand Prix here:
“Australia again proved fatal to Verstappen,” La Gazetta dello Sport also saw. ‘It was the last race in 2022 in which he was eliminated due to a technical problem. We know how that championship ended: dominated by Max. Therefore it is still too early for triumphalism.’
The miracle of Sainz
“Okay, he didn’t win,” the Italian sports newspaper continues. ‘But everything indicates that without the technical problem with the brakes he would not have been far away from another great Grand Prix.’ Verstappen therefore receives a nine as a score. Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz gets, as expected, a top ten from the Italians.
‘The third race of the world championship was wonderfully surprising for the Italian fans sitting in front of the TV at five in the morning. They saw Verstappen drop out and Sainz, the hero of the weekend, drive a beautiful race. The great red day was completed by Charles Leclerc.’
Carlos Sainz. © REUTERS
“In Australia, Max Verstappen stopped his Red Bull after just five laps,” Bild reflects. ‘After 43 races without failures, the Dutchman had to drive his car into the garage. There was heavy smoke and a fire on the right rear wheel. Sainz did not let the win be denied him and drove the race home in a superior manner.’ According to the Germans, this can safely be called a ‘miracle’. ‘Two days ago it was not even clear whether the Spaniard would be able to participate after his appendectomy two weeks ago!’
New rival?
MARCA shares the view of its German colleagues. ‘The Sainz miracle’, the Spaniards headline after the Ferrari driver’s victory. ‘From appendicitis to a victory for history. Sainz rode with the gauze on – his wound had not yet healed – and with the admiration and respect of the paddock for a truly spectacular performance.’
Also read:
• Max Verstappen left after exit in Melbourne: ‘I knew this day would come one day’
• Red Bull also sees the positive side of Max Verstappen’s failure: ‘Are we now rid of those endless questions?’
The Spaniards believe that Verstappen has found a new rival in Sainz. “He is the only one who seems capable of challenging Verstappen for the championship.” A tough season awaits Ferrari teammate Leclerc, the sports newspaper predicts. “He has a tough nut to crack for the rest of the year, because there is no one to stop Sainz. Not even appendicitis.’
Also read
• Play along with our Formula 1 game: will you include Max Verstappen in your team?
• For the agenda: these are all important dates for the new Formula 1 season
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