Carlos Sainz clinches F1 Australian GP following Verstappen’s early retirement

Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz on Sunday clinched the F1 Australian Grand Prix 2024 as he ended Red Bull’s winning streak following Max Verstappen’s early exit with engine fire.

Sainz, who missed the previous race in Saudi Arabia due to an appendix surgery two weeks ago, started on the front row alongside Red Bull’s icon and passed him on lap two and took control of the race when Verstappen finally retired with an engine failure.

Verstappen was on a nine-race winning streak after claiming victories in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, the first two F1 races of the 2024 season.

The first two spots at the Australian GP belonged to Ferrari with Sainz’s teammate Charles Leclerc finishing behind the Spaniard, giving the first 1-2 result to Ferrari since 2022.

Talking after the race win, Sainz was over the moon after winning his third title and his first since Singapore’s Grand Prix in 2023.

"I felt really good out there," he said. "Of course, (I felt) a bit stiff, especially physically. It wasn't the easiest, but I was lucky that I was more or less on my own so I could just manage my pace, manage the tyres, manage everything.

"Life sometimes is crazy, you know. What happened at the beginning of the year, then the podium in Bahrain, then the appendix, the comeback, the win, it's a roller coaster. But I loved it."

Ferrari will replace Sainz with Lewis Hamilton in 2025 but the Spaniard is not worried about his future as he is confident he will pick up another drive.

“For sure it does no harm, that is 100% (sure),” he added. “I am still without a job for next year. Everyone more or less knows what I’m capable of doing. I don’t race to prove to team principals my value.

“I race for myself … That’s the mentality and approach I have and will continue to,” Sainz insisted.

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