Formula 1. Carlos Sainz jr. winner of the Australian Grand Prix

The Spaniard showed his good side already in Saturday’s qualifying, in which he achieved the second fastest time. A day later, he won for the third time in his career, placing in the top three for the 20th time.

– Hard work brings results. Life is a rollercoaster sometimes, but it’s wonderful. I recommend all drivers to have their appendix removed, the 29-year-old joked.

Bad luck for the leader of the general classification

Verstappen, who was fighting to equal his own record of ten consecutive F1 victories, pitted after the fourth lap. His car was smoking because one of the brakes was on fire, and fire extinguishers were used.

However, the Dutchman maintained the lead in the general classification of the world championship, in which he is fighting for the fourth title in a row.

– From the data we saw, the right rear brake caliper was stuck, which is why the temperature kept rising. It was like driving with the handbrake on, so the car behaved very strangely – explained the 26-year-old in a conversation with journalists after the end of the competition.

Due to technical problems, the seven-time world champion, Briton Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), also did not finish the race. In turn, his compatriot and teammate George Russell had an accident on the penultimate lap, but was not seriously injured.

The next round of the World Championships will take place on April 7 in Japan.

General driver classification:

1. Max Verstappen (Holandia/Red Bull) 51 pkt
2. Charles Leclerc (Monako/Ferrari) 47
3. Sergio Perez (Mexico/Red Bull) 46
4. Carlos Sainz jr. (Hiszpania/Ferrari) 40
5. Oscar Piastri (Australia/McLaren) 28
6. Lando Norris (GB/McLaren) 27
7. Fernando Alonso (Spain/Aston Martin) 20
8. George Russell (GB/Mercedes) 18
9. Lewis Hamilton (GB/Mercedes) 8
10. Lance Stroll (Kanada/Aston Martin) 7