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Carlos Sainz and his team
Photo:
Asanka Brendon Ratnayake / AP
At the Australian Grand Prix, for a change, world champion Max Verstappen was not at the top of the winner's podium. The Dutch high-flyer was eliminated due to a technical defect; Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz won. And that was only around two weeks after the surgical removal of his appendix. The international press writes:
Great Britain
»Guardian«
: »Red Bull's aura of invincibility goes up in flames and ignites the championship race. The end of his Grand Prix is disappointing for Max Verstappen's fans, but a source of optimism for the rest of the Formula 1 field.
»Daily Mail«:
»Carlos Sainz has had an appendectomy and won the Australian Grand Prix in a race dominated by the failures of Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.«
»The Sun«:
»Drama Down Under. Max Verstappen has to abandon the Australian Grand Prix after his car caught fire. Carlos Sainz races to victory.«
»Daily Mirror«
: »Carlos Sainz wins the crazy Australian Grand Prix. Like Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton also had a day to forget.
Italy
“Gazzetta dello Sport”:
“Great Carlos Sainz! A miracle happened in Melbourne. Just two weeks after his appendectomy, Sainz is back, fighting like a lion and giving Ferrari victory. Sainz is the real hero of this race, Charles Leclerc's second place crowns this wonderful weekend for Ferrari.
»Corriere dello Sport«:
»A double victory brightens the Australian Grand Prix. A dream comes true: a wonderful Carlos Sainz celebrates an incredible victory ahead of his teammate at the end of a spectacular race. Sainz benefits from Max Verstappen’s knockout.”
»Tuttosport«
: »After two years, Max Verstappen is retiring again due to a technical defect. Ferrari seizes the opportunity for a fantastic one-two victory that inspires Maranello. It’s a day to forget for the two Mercedes.”
»Corriere della Sera«:
»Ferrari is experiencing a dream with its superhero Sainz, who turns the Australian Grand Prix on its head. A new Ferrari was born in Melbourne, driven by the driver who will be replaced at the wheel next year by Lewis Hamilton. Carlos Sainz, who is too often unfairly underestimated, achieved the big victory in Verstappen style.
»La Repubblica«:
»Italy wakes up with a double victory for Ferrari in Melbourne. There had not been two Ferraris ahead of all other rivals in Australia since 2004, when Schumacher and Barrichello were the winners. Ferrari is benefiting from the problems of series winner Max Verstappen, who has to capitulate due to brake problems.
Spain
»Marca«:
»Heroic victory for Sainz! Sainz's performance deserved to be fully documented - with a victory 15 days after an operation for appendicitis and with three incisions in his stomach that must have annoyed him on the Formula 1 torture bench.
»AS«:
»Sweet revenge from Carlos Sainz. He overtook Verstappen, who had to retire. He came back from the operation - and from the harsh winter.'
"Mundo Deportivo":
"The outstanding Carlos Sainz can be seen at the Ferrari party and at the Verstappen drama."
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