Melbourne, Australia – Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz secured a dominant victory at the Australian Grand Prix today, taking the lead after a Red Bull retirement shuffled the frontrunners.
Sainz started the race from second on the grid behind championship leader Max Verstappen. However, Verstappen’s race was short-lived as he was forced to retire early due to a suspected mechanical issue. This unexpected turn of events handed the lead to Sainz, who comfortably controlled the pace for the remainder of the race.
Sainz’s teammate Charles Leclerc capitalized on Verstappen’s misfortune to claim second place, marking a 1-2 finish for Ferrari – their first since the 2022 Bahrain Grand Prix. McLaren’s Lando Norris delivered a strong performance to finish third, rounding out the podium.
The win marks a significant turnaround for Ferrari, who have struggled to match Red Bull’s pace in the early stages of the season. Sainz’s victory demonstrates the team’s potential and opens up the championship fight.
For Red Bull, Verstappen’s retirement is a major setback. The reigning champion will be eager to bounce back at the next race and defend his championship lead.