Max Verstappen’s win streak ended at nine after a brake fire cut short his race on Sunday at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz took advantage and captured the checkered flag as Verstappen dealt with smoke coming from the right rear tire in the fourth lap. A brake duct exploded as Verstappen returned to the pits, prompting the three-time world champion to exit his vehicle and end his race.
Sainz returned to the winner’s circle, two weeks removed from missing the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix with appendicitis.
Sainz also benefited from a final-lap crash by Mercedes driver George Russell to win the race. Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc came in second and McLaren’s Lando Norris secured a third-place finish.
Russell was uninjured.
Verstappen closed the 2023 season by winning his last seven races and started the 2024 campaign with victories at the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton also exited the race with a power unit issue.
–Field Level Media