Let it splash: Ferrari engineer Mateo Togninalli (r.) gives his drivers a champagne shower. © ANSA / JOEL CARRETT

Ferrari strikes back: double victory in Australia

After nine races of Red Bull dominance and as many victories for Max Verstappen, Ferrari returned to Formula 1 success on Sunday.

March 24, 2024

From: cst/dpa

After Verstappen was eliminated after just a few minutes in Melbourne, the Scuderia even managed a one-two victory thanks to the Spaniard Carlos Sainz and the Monegasque Charles Leclerc - the first since Bahrain 2022. The Briton Lando Norris in the McLaren came in third, teammate Oscar Piastri Australia came fourth.

“We have it!” Sainz shouted over the pit radio. “Life is a roller coaster ride. Life is unbelievable sometimes,” said the 29-year-old after missing the race in Saudi Arabia two weeks ago due to an appendectomy. He therefore recommends that everyone have their appendix removed, he joked.

“It was a really good race, physically it wasn't the easiest, but I was mostly on my own so I was able to control the pace and the tires,” analyzed Sainz after his third victory in Formula 1 after Great Britain in 2022 and Singapore 2023. “Carlos had an incredible weekend coming back from his surgery. “He drove a great race,” said Leclerc. “Carlos did a better job all weekend and deserved the win.”

Carlos Sainz showed a perfect race. © ANSA / JOEL CARRETT

Norris was satisfied: “I am very happy and proud of the team. We almost had Charles. I think our pace was better, but he undercut us in the first stint with the undercut.” But it is still another step towards Ferrari and Red Bull for McLaren. “We have to catch up, but it is clear that we are getting closer.”

Technical defect for Verstappen

World champion Verstappen had to quit the Australian Grand Prix after just five laps due to a technical problem. The Dutchman, who started from pole position, won the start, but lost the lead on the second lap to Sainz, who overtook him shortly before turn 2. Even then, Red Bull, which had seemed indestructible for so long, apparently had a problem. Verstappen complained that he had "lost the car" before smoke appeared from the rear right brake area.

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner had to cope with Max Verstappen's early failure. © APA/afp / SCOTT BARBOUR

“There is smoke, blue smoke, fire. Fire,” he reported over the team radio. Verstappen gradually lost speed and returned to the pits, where the crew quickly put out a fire and the 26-year-old got out of the car. It was Verstappen's first retirement since the Albert Park race two years ago. And with that, his season-long winning streak was stopped.

On the 17th lap, Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, who will drive for Ferrari from 2025, also said goodbye to the race. The race management activated the virtual safety car for a short time after the Brit's engine failed, but this had no decisive consequences. After a violent impact from Hamilton's stablemate George Russell, the race also ended during a virtual safety car phase.

Points for Alonso and the Haas drivers

Sergio Perez only finished fifth, Fernando Alonso was sixth in the Aston Martin. Behind Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) and Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls), the two Haas drivers Nico Hülkenberg and Kevin Magnussen also scored championship points. In the overall standings, all is well with Red Bull: Verstappen continues to lead, Leclerc is in second place, four points behind. Red Bull Racing is also four points ahead of Ferrari in the constructors' championship.