Carlos Sainz ended Max Verstappen’s streak of nine consecutive victories with a storming drive at the Australian Grand Prix ahead of team-mate Charles Leclerc in second and Lando Norris in third.
Verstappen was denied the opportunity to match his own victory record after he was forced to retire from the race on lap three with a rear right brake fire.
READ MORE: Verstappen OUT of Australian Grand Prix after SHOCKING start
A matter of laps later and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton pulled into an escape road after an apparent engine failure for his Mercedes W15.
It left Sainz in the lead of the race, and he commanded it in style – pulling a comfortable gap and coasting to the finish in what was his first race since appendicitis surgery.
On the last lap George Russell suffered a significant crash in pursuit of Fernando Alonso at turn six, tipping his car onto its side.
Red Bull’s Sergio Perez was unable to fill the void left by his team-mate's retirement, finishing a lonely fifth.
Yuki Tsunoda helped Visa Cash App RB score their first points of the year with a fine drive to eighth, while Haas picked up a crucial three-point haul.
Australian Grand Prix 2024 results
The final classification from Melbourne was as follows:
1. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)
2. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari): +2.366s
3. Lando Norris (McLaren): +5.904s
4. Oscar Piastri (McLaren): +35.770s
5. Sergio Perez (Red Bull): +56.309s
6. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin): +1:20.992s
7. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin): +1:33.222s
8. Yuki Tsunoda (VCARB): +1:35.601s
9. Nico Hulkenberg (Haas): +1:44.553s
10. Kevin Magnussen (Haas): +1 Lap
11. Alex Albon (Williams): +1 Lap
12. Daniel Ricciardo (VCARB): +1 Lap
13. Pierre Gasly (Alpine): +1 Lap
14. Valtteri Bottas (Kick Sauber): +1 Lap
15. Zhou Guanyu (Kick Sauber): +1 Lap
16. Esteban Ocon (Alpine): +1 Lap
17. George Russell (Mercedes) - DNF
18. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes): DNF
19. Max Verstappen (Red Bull): DNF
Fastest Lap
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - TBC
READ MORE: Verstappen makes DEFINITIVE announcement on Red Bull future
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