Charles Leclerc got quite an advantage in the championship fight right from the start of the season. Valtteri Bottas’ race was tangled, but the Finn rose to eighth.
10.4. 09:39 • Updated 10.4. 10:02
Ferrarin Charles Leclerc won the Australian F1 race in superior style. The race also saw quite a turnaround when Max Verstappen had to suspend in the 39th round due to Red Bull’s problems.
The interruption of second-placed Verstappen was quite a bump in the championship battle. Two of the three races have already ended with a Dutch suspension.
“I smelled something strange,” Verstappen said, leaving his car on the track at the request of an engineer.
Later in the interview area, the Dutchman was very disappointed.
– We’re so far behind. We have to get to the finish line. Today was a bad day. I controlled the wear on the tires. I couldn’t fight Charles. It was an easy second place, however, but we didn’t even get to the finish line. Frustrating and this is unacceptable, Verstappen summed up.
– Such things are not acceptable if you want to fight for the championship, the reigning champion still summed up.
Alfa Romeon Valtteri Bottas you started the race from the 12th starting box. Bottas ended up eighth, though it was hard to pass the top. Lance Stroll also pushed Bottas out of the track fifteen laps before the end, but the Finn was able to rise to points.
Ferrarin Carlos Sainzin the race weekend became quite a pancake. Sainz left the race from the ninth square and immediately dropped a lot in the opening round. In the third round, the Spaniard drove out and stopped.
Red Bull was second in the race Sergio Perez and thirdly, with his depot stop, good luck experienced Mercedes George Russell. British talent got into the pits like a stealth when Sebastian Vettelin due to the exit, a safety car came on the track.
Leclerc glowed with satisfaction after his victory in the track interview.
– What a car today! We have been very strong this weekend. The race pace and on top of the tires felt great. I’m just so happy. An incredible win here, Leclerc said, also commenting on the championship battle after Verstappen’s interruption.
– We are only in the third race, so it’s hard to think of a championship fight, but we have a very strong and reliable car. It is nice to return to this position.
More about the events and aftercare of the Australian F1 in the live coverage of Sport here.
F1 Series Points Situation (3/23)
1. Charles Leclerc MON Ferrari 71
2. George Russell GBR Mercedes 37
3. Carlos Sainz ESP Ferrari 33
4. Sergio Perez MEX Red Bull 30
5. Lewis Hamilton GBR Mercedes 28
6. Max Verstappen NED Red Bull 25
7. Esteban Ocon FRA Alpine R 20
8. Lando Norris GBR McLaren 16
9. Valtteri Bottas FIN Alfa Romeo 12
10. Kevin Magnussen DEN Haas 12