Verstappen suffers surprise retirement while Ferrari secures the first two positions in the Australian Grand Prix.

The 2024 Formula 1 season had an unexpected turn of events at the Australian Grand Prix, as Red Bull’s dominance was shattered by a dramatic failure. Current world champion Max Verstappen suffered a brake failure early in the race, allowing Carlos Sainz to seize the opportunity and lead a surprising Ferrari one-two finish. Verstappen’s retirement, marked by brakes bursting into flames, ended his winning streak and handed Ferrari their first victory since last year. Despite Verstappen’s absence, Sainz controlled the race with ease, leaving his competitors struggling to keep up with his pace and tire management. McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, as well as Sainz’s teammate Charles Leclerc, failed to match his performance and settled for lower positions. Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez also failed to capitalize on the opportunity and finished in a disappointing fifth place. Mercedes, represented by Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, suffered a humiliating defeat as they were outperformed by their rivals. Hamilton’s race ended early due to an engine failure, while Russell’s aggressive pursuit of Fernando Alonso resulted in a major crash. Despite the chaos, midfield drivers like Yuki Tsunoda and Nico Hulkenberg took advantage of retirements to secure valuable points. However, Albon and Ricciardo faced their own challenges and finished outside the top positions. The race was marked by pit stop issues for Pierre Gasly, Esteban Ocon, Valtteri Bottas, and Zhou Guanyu, adding even more excitement and unpredictability to the event.