Formula 1 – Charles Leclerc wins Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, Max Verstappen retires

Charles Leclerc won the Australian Grand Prix in a Ferrari ahead of Sergio Perez. This extended Monaco’s lead in the overall standings. World champion Max Verstappen suffered a disaster in Melbourne.

Leclerc 20-second lead over Mexico after 58 laps on Sunday (04/10/2022). Perez (Red Bull-Honda) and lights-flag to celebrate victory. Englishman George Russell He finished third ahead of his compatriot and Mercedes stablemate Lewis Hamilton.

“This is the first win where we can really control the distance.”said Leclerc, “The car was great from the first to the last lap. It was very reliable, which is what we always want to be. After two tough years, it put a smile on my face.”

Verstappen: “Another bad Sunday”

Defending champion Verstappen took his Red Bull Honda to recovery on lap 39 of 58 laps. The Dutchman complained of a strange smell and smoke coming from his wrecked car. He was in second place then.

It was the 24-year-old’s second retirement in just the third race of the season. “It’s unbelievable, I’ve lost a lot of points again. It’s another bad Sunday.”Verstappen said “Sky“ Both medium and hard tires are allowed “There’s No Other Way” vs Leclerc should have been He could not give an exact reason for his retirement after the race.

Second win of the season for Leclerc

For 24 years Leclerc It was fourth win overall and second of the season after the opening victory in Bahrain. He now leads the drivers’ standings by 71 points over Perez (40). Verstappen has 25 points.

Carlos Sainz, third in the drivers’ standings with 33 points, retired early in Melbourne. Hamilton, fifth on 28 points, was happy with the race in Australia. “It was a great team result for us“said the seven-time world champion.

Vettel loses fenders

Sebastian Vettel pitted his Aston Martin on lap 23. The four-time world champion lost control when his car hit a curb. Vettel crashed at the boundary, losing his front wing in the process. Due to the impact, Vettel was checked out at the Medical Center. “It’s normal, I’m fine so far”, he later said. But he sees positive things this time around “Not so much, can’t get any worse than this weekend”.

Vettel missed the first two races of the season due to the coronavirus. In Australia, the 34-year-old had an absolutely chaotic weekend with engine problems, fines for illegal scooter rides and a crash in the final practice.

Mick Schumacher also failed to score any points and finished 13th.