Australian Grand Prix

Verstappen OUT of Australian Grand Prix after SHOCKING start

Sam Cook Sunday 24 March 2024 05:16 Updated: 05:39

Verstappen OUT of Australian Grand Prix after SHOCKING start

Max Verstappen suffered a DNF at the Australian Grand Prix, ending his hopes of a 10th consecutive victory.

The three-time world champion suffered a right rear brake issue, having been overtaken by Carlos Sainz at the start of the race.

It provides a huge opportunity for Ferrari to claim their first victory of the 2024 season, while Verstappen's run of consecutive race finishes comes to an end, with Red Bull's reliability letting them down.

It meant that the world champions' 100 per cent record also came to an end, having claimed back-to-back one-two finishes in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia to start the season.

Max Verstappen started on pole in Australia

A mechanical issue ended Verstappen's race

Red Bull's Australia woes

Verstappen was in second when the issue occurred, following a brilliant sweeping overtake on the 26-year-old by Sainz on lap two.

It's unclear what caused Red Bull's brake issue, but the hot temperatures at the Albert Park Circuit caused multiple cars all kinds of trouble in terms of tyre degradation, with a flurry of early pit stops.

A dramatic moment was caught by the Sky F1 cameras in the pit lane, when Verstappen's rear brake seemed to explode, sprialling debris and smoke into the air.

What's more, it was clear to see the issue, with flames billowing from the world champion's RB20.

Max Verstappen Mercedes Carlos Sainz Australian Grand Prix DNF

Latest News

Toto Wolff

Mercedes boss Wolff reveals stress factor in health update

19 minutes ago

F1 News & Gossip

F1 driver transfer target issues future UPDATE

1 hour ago

Latest F1 News

F1 team suffer huge loss as RIVAL signing announced

2 hours ago

Latest F1 News

Verstappen 'statement' fuels SHOCK team switch rumours

3 hours ago

Mercedes

Mercedes set for shock 2025 ABSENCE as F1 plans take major turn

Today 18:59

Latest F1 News

Verstappen 'will join' Aston Martin after BOMBSHELL claim

Today 17:55

More news

F1 News 24/7

Races

About GPFans

GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.

We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.

With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.

Follow us on your favorite social media channel

Corporate & Media

Innovatieweg 20C
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY