Ferrari double and triumph in the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix . Carlos Sainz's Ferrari wins ahead of teammate Charles Leclerc . Lando Norris's McLaren was third and preceded Oscar Piastri's other silver arrow. For champion Verstappen , however, he retired five laps from the start .

"Incredible. Thanks Ferrari, thanks guys, thanks Riki (Adami, ed.), come on, let's go on parade with Charles" were Sainz's first words through tears from inside his Rossa immediately after crossing the finish line in front of everyone and just two weeks after ' appendicitis operation which prevented him from racing in Saudi Arabia . Problem for which the Spaniard was in doubt for this weekend and Bearman who had replaced him in Jeddah had still been forewarned . «Today was a beautiful race. – the Spaniard then commented from the podium – I felt very good, even if a little stiff, physically it wasn't very easy . But I was lucky because I was able to manage the pace more or less on my own, I managed the tires independently. The race was tough but obviously I'm very happy and proud of the whole team." « Life is really crazy – he continued –: first the podium in Bahrain, then the appendicitis, the return, this victory... it's truly a roller coaster, but I'm very happy. Max (Verstappen, ed.)? On the first lap I realized that I could keep up with him and use the DRS, which works very well here. Then he lost time in turns 2 and 3 and I passed him. Soon after he had brake problems. It's a shame, because it would have been a good challenge for first position. But honestly I'm happy to bring home this victory ." “I should always have appendicitis surgery,” he then joked.

«We knew it could happen and it happened. It's never easy to digest. It's a shame, on the formation lap the car seemed good" commented the Red Bull world champion Max Verstappen when speaking of his retirement after five laps from the start of the Australian GP in Melbourne due to a problem with the brakes of his car.

«I confirm, there were problems with the brakes - said the Flying Dutchman - There was some overheating, the car was very difficult to drive. On the formation lap the car looked good, it's a shame we didn't show it. The problem was a lock on the right rear brake. It's never good to retire, it's difficult to digest."

This marks the end of Verstappen's streak of 9 consecutive victories and, above all, 43 GPs completed: the last retirement for Super Max was in Australia 2022.

(Unioneonline/vl)

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