Australian Grand Prix: Verstappen wins as late twist sparks ‘absolute chaos’

A dramatic late twist in the Australian F1 Grand Prix sparked absolute carnage, causing crashes galore and a bizarre finish.

Max Verstappen has won a seriously chaotic Australian Grand Prix for the first time to end his Melbourne hoodoo and extend his lead in the drivers’ championship.

It was Red Bull’s first win in Australia since Sebastian Vettel saluted in 2011, ending a 12-year drought.

But it was a carnage-filled race that was red flagged a record three times and saw eight drivers with the letters DNF next to their name.

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Verstappen started on pole position but was overtaken by George Russell and Lewis Hamilton on a chaotic opening lap that saw Charles Leclerc crash out of the race.

Mercedes were in a prime spot to try and control the race but Alex Albon spun out and sprayed gravel onto the track.

Mercedes brought Russell into the pits but the race was red flagged, meaning Russell fell down to seventh when he could have stayed in the lead and had a free pit stop during the delay.

Max Verstappen won for the first time in Australia. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Hamilton took the lead but was soon overtaken by Verstappen in his rocket ship, before Russell’s car caught on fire, ending his race.

Just as it looked like Verstappen was cruising to victory, there was some late drama when Kevin Magnussen crashed, triggering another red flag and setting up a two-lap dash to the end of the race.

Then all hell broke loose as four drivers crashed out in a chaotic restart.

Carlos Sainz bumped into Fernando Alonso, causing the Spanish veteran to spin off the track.

Alpine duo Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon crashed into each other and ended their race.

Carlos Sainz questioning his life choices are bumping into Fernando Alonso. (Photo by Simon Baker / POOL / AFP)

The carnage was so chaotic officials decided to restart the race in the order of the previous start, for a procession lap.

Sainz was handed a five-second time penalty for bumping into Alonso, which demoted him to 12th, consigning Ferrari to a pointless race.

In the end, only 12 of the 20 drivers completed the grand prix, meaning Oscar Piastri finished eighth to score the first championship points of his career at his home race.

Red Bull has won the first three races of a season for the first time ever, while Alonso has finished on the podium in every race so far in 2023.

Australian Grand Prix results

1) Max Verstappen

2) Lewis Hamilton

3) Fernando Alonso

4) Lance Stroll

5) Sergio Perez

6) Lando Norris

7) Niko Hulkenberg

8) Oscar Piastri

9) Zhou Guanyu

10) Yuki Tsunoda

5.05pm — Cars out in mass carnage

After the race restarted, Verstappen kept the lead from Hamilton but chaos ensued behind them.

Carlos Sainz bumped into Fernando Alonso, Sergio Perez went wide into the gravel, and Alpine’s French duo of Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon collided, ending both their races.

It all meant McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri pulled a Steven Bradbury to move up into sixth and seventh.

Cool to see the Aussie Grand Prix has introduced a fantastic new demolition derby event with two laps to go 👍 #F1

— Evan Morgan Grahame (@Evan_M_G) April 2, 2023

The race was red flagged. It’s unclear if it will resume of if it will be declared finished.

Former world champion Jenson Button described the restart as “absolute chaos”.

4.55pm — Red flag sets up mad dash

It looked like Verstappen was cruising to victory before Kevin Magnussen crashed out, prompting a second red flag of the race.

The late drama set up a thrilling two-lap sprint to the end from a standing start.

Verstappen had been slow off the mark at the starts and was furious that the race was delayed.

“The the f*** do you mean red flag,” Verstappen said.

It set up a similar finish to the 2021 Abu Dhabi season finale, where Verstappen overtook Hamilton on the last lap in dramatic circumstances.

There was a second red flag with just a couple of laps remaining in the race. Picture: Fox Sports

4.25pm — Hamilton holding off Alonso

There’s just over 10 laps to go and Verstappen leads by 10 seconds from Hamilton, who is trying to hold off fellow veteran and his old rival Fernando Alonso.

Sergio Perez has made his way up into seventh, while Oscar Piastri is 11th and could be stranded just outside the points.

3.50pm — Russell’s car on fire, out of race

George Russell’s race is over after the rear of his Mercedes caught on fire, forcing him to grind to a halt in pit lane with flames coming out of his car.

It’s wretched luck after he took the lead on the first corner of the race.

When it’s not your day, it’s not your day.

— George Russell (@GeorgeRussell63) April 2, 2023

Verstappen leads from Hamilton, Alonso and Pierre Gasly.

Oscar Piastri was in 10th but was passed by Sergio Perez.

George Russell's car caught fire. Picture: Fox Sports

3.45pm — Race resumes, Verstappen takes lead

The race is back underway. Hamilton held the lead after a standing start but it only took a couple of laps for Verstappen to overtake him in a DRS zone and open up a comfortable lead.

Russell is up into fourth and chasing Fernando Alonso in third.

McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are in ninth and 11th.

3.20pm — Albon triggers another safety car

The race has been red flagged after Alex Albon lost control of his Williams and spun off, spraying gravel onto the track.

Mercedes brought Russell in to pit, assuming it would be a standard safety car period.

But the red flag meant he fell down to seventh place when he could have had a free pit stop.

“Sorry George that screwed us. But we can still go to the front and podium or better,” Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff told Russell over team radio.

Lewis Hamilton is now in the lead but complained he should have pitted as well: “That has put me at a massive disadvantage.”

Alex Albon spins out during the Australian Grand Prix. Picture: Fox Sports.

3.10pm — Mercedes duo overtake Max in wild start

In a wild start, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton have overtaken Max Verstappen on the opening lap to put the reigning champion on the back foot.

Russell got the jump on Verstappen on the start and Hamilton got his elbows out and edged past the Dutchman on Turn 3. Verstappen complained Hamilton pushed him wide.

In all the chaos, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc got hit from behind by Lance Stroll and went into the gravel, ending his race and triggering a safety car.

Russell is in the lead, while Oscar Piastri has moved up to 13th.

George Russell gets the jump on Max Verstappen. Photo: Fox Sports.

Poor old Charles Leclerc gets pushed into the gravel. Photo: Fox Sports.

2.45pm — Aussie stars grace the grid

Kylie Minogue just can’t get F1 out of her head.

The Aussie popstar was on the grid ahead of the race, which she said was the first time she’d been at the Australian Grand Prix in 15 years.

“I’ve got one of my nephews here who is a tragic – an obsessive. It means so much to be here, in my home town, magnificent day,” Minogue told Sky Sports.

Jenson Button asked: “Interviewer: Do you have anyone you’re cheering for?

Minogue replied: “Just general cheers.”

Kyle Minogue on the grid at Albert Park. Photo: Fox Sports.

Also making an appearance was superstar Aussie snowboarder Scotty James, who has a conflicted interest in the race.

His soon-to-be brother-in-law Lance Stroll races for Aston Martin, while he’s close friends with Daniel Ricciardo.