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Max Verstappen had to stop the race: "It's smoking, blue smoke, fire, fire"

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Scott Barbour/REUTERS

Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has suffered the first serious sporting setback of this season. The Dutchman was eliminated from the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne after just five laps. He had initially defended his pole position in the Red Bull and was in the lead, but was then quickly overtaken by the Spanish Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz. Sainz, who had just recovered from an appendix operation, won ahead of his teammate Charles Leclerc and McLaren driver Lando Norris.

This means that Verstappen's season-long winning streak has come to an end. The world champion of the past three years had recently won nine races in a row; his last defeat before that came last September in Singapore. It was Verstappen's first retirement since the 2022 Australian race. Verstappen remains ahead in the Drivers' World Championship with 51 points. Behind him are Leclerc (47), Verstappen's teammate Sergio Perez (46) and Sainz (40).

“We could see in the data that the right rear brake blocked from the start,” said Verstappen, “as soon as the traffic light went out, the right brake remained applied. It was like driving with the handbrake on." Verstappen complained about the car before radioing to the pits: "It's smoking, blue smoke, fire. Fire.” The fire came from the right rear wheel. Verstappen was able to drive the car back into the pits, where fire extinguishers were used and he then got out.

Sainz despite the nausea, Hamilton experiences disaster

Sainz, who had complained of occasional nausea in Melbourne, subsequently dropped out. »Physically it wasn't easy. But I was alone at the front most of the time and was able to manage my pace," said Sainz, who will have to vacate his cockpit for record world champion Lewis Hamilton next season: "Life is crazy sometimes. It's a roller coaster ride. I love it and am very happy.«

Like Verstappen, Hamilton had to cope with an early end to the race. Less than a third of the way through the Grand Prix in Albert Park, an engine problem stopped his Mercedes. For Hamilton it is a new low in his last year with the Silvers after finishing seventh and ninth in the first two races. »I think we will improve. It's difficult in terms of current competitiveness," said Hamilton briefly.

Nico Hülkenberg, however, was able to celebrate something countable for the second time this season, the Haas driver came ninth.

Hamilton's teammate George Russell caused a shocking moment with a serious accident on the last lap. Russell quickly radioed: “I’m okay.” The race ended behind the virtual safety car.

In Melbourne there were only 19 cars at the start instead of the usual 20. Williams driver Logan Sargeant was condemned to watch after a tough team decision, even though his teammate Alex Albon crashed his racing car badly in training. As a result, Williams only had an intact chassis on site - and decided on its number one driver Albon.

ast/dpa/sid