As it happened Grand Prix Melbourne 2024: Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz triumphant amid high-drama

From the hospital bed to the top of the podium – Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz has won his first Australian Grand Prix and taken his famous team to a 10th win at Albert Park.

Two weeks ago the 29-year-old Spaniard had his appendix removed, and despite looking a bit off his top form for much of this weekend, he dragged out his best form on the track to claim his first win since Singapore last year.

Second-placed Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc of Monaco pours champagne on teammate Carlos Sainz of Spain.Credit: AP

Amazingly, Sainz is currently without a team for next year after Ferrari’s move to bring Lewis Hamilton to the team in 2025.

Race favourite Max Verstappen had to retire inside the first five laps after an issue with his brakes led to a back tyre catching fire.

“It was a really good race; I’ve felt really good out there,” Sainz told the broadcasters after the race.

“Basically, it wasn’t the easiest, but I was lucky that it was more or less on my own and I could ... manage the tyres, manage everything. Very happy, very proud of the team, it shows that the hard work pays off and life sometimes is crazy, you know.

“What happened at the beginning of the year and then Bahrain and then the appendix, the comeback, the win, it’s a roller-coaster, but I loved it and I’m extremely happy.”

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That’s all we have for you after another brilliant Australian Grand Prix as Carlos Sainz from Ferrari wins for the first time in Melbourne.

Please keep checking our sport pages for more post race coverage and thanks so much for joining us throughout the day.

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McLaren’s Lando Norris said he was a lot quicker and would have overtaken teammate Oscar Piastri regardless of McLaren’s instruction to the Aussie to let Norris in third position.

“You don’t want to delay the process of that happening, and the longer I spent behind him the worse it was making my chance of taking Charles [LeClerc] and trying to be ahead of Charles. I don’t think the result changed at all,” he said.

“He made my life easier, and I think helped us as a team, which I thank him for a lot, and we have a lot of respect for one another in these kind of situations. I don’t think the result changed at all, but for any driver who’s racing in front of their home fans, you want to be on the podium.”

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain wave during the drivers parade ahead of the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix.Credit: AP

2024 Formula 1 Manufacturers Standings

1. Red Bull Racing, 87.

2. Ferrari, 49.

3. McLaren, 28.

4. Mercedes, 26.

5. Aston Martin, 13.

6. Haas, 1.

7. Williams, 0.

8. Alfa Romeo Racing, 0.

9. Alphatauri, 0.

10. Alpine, 0.

AP

Fernando Alonso and George Russell have been summoned to FIA stewards to give their side after the Brit’s crash during the final lap of today’s F1 race.

Russell and Alonso were racing for sixth place when the Mercedes driver went to take over Alonso’s Aston Martin at the apex of Turn 6.

Mercedes driver George Russell.Credit: AP

The attempt went awry after Alonso dramatically slowed, causing Russell to lose control of his car and dramatically crash.

The Brit was uninjured but it left Mercedes without any points, after teammate Lewis Hamilton retired early because of engine troubles.

Alonso later told reporters there was a problem with his car’s battery and he had conceded seventh place because of the issue.

Both drivers will be asked to explain their version of events to stewards.

The stewards will investigate whether Alonso had deliberately caused the crash by brake-testing Russell.

Charles Leclerc is not worried about the future of his teammate Carlos Sainz, despite the decision from Ferrari to cut ties with the Spainard at the end of this season.

Asked whether Sainz was underrated as a driver, Leclerc said: “I think everybody knows Carlos’ worth. In the Paddock, he is one of the highest-rated drivers ... he’s been extremely strong every time he’s been in a Formula 1 car,” the Ferrari driver said.

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc.Credit: Eddie Jim

“I don’t think he’s underrated for that. I think everybody knows Carlos’ work. That’s why I’ve said many times that I’m not too worried about his future, because I’m sure that many team prinicpals are [in discussions about signing him]. He doesn’t say, but I’m sure they’re speaking with him.”

Leclerc paused to laugh, before adding, “I’m sure he will have many opportunities and he’ll just have to make the best choice for his career.”

Lando Norris backed Leclerc’s sentiment: “There’s no reason anyone should think he’s underrated. I think for the people who know him, know what he’s capable of doing,” the Brit, who finished third, said.

“I’m sure you have plenty of drivers who probably wouldn’t have tried as hard, and dedicated so much of their time and effort to try and recover and get back in the race car. And I think that’s just one example of it ... People on the outside easily judge things from what you see on TV, but when you’ve worked with him, when you know what he’s capable of doing, and when things click they click very well.”

“Yes, all year he’s proved to be a step up from what he has been from last year.”

2024 Formula 1 Driver Standings

1. Max Verstappen, Netherlands, Red Bull Racing, 51 points.

2. Sergio Perez, Mexico, Red Bull Racing, 36.

3. Charles Leclerc, Monaco, Ferrari, 28.

4. George Russell, Great Britain, Mercedes, 18.

5. Oscar Piastri, Australia, McLaren, 16.

6. Carlos Sainz Jr, Spain, Ferrari, 15.

7. Fernando Alonso, Spain, Aston Martin, 12.

8. Lando Norris, Great Britain, McLaren, 12.

9. Lewis Hamilton, Great Britain, Mercedes, 8.

10. Oliver Bearman, Great Britain, Ferrari, 6.

11. Nico Hulkenberg, Germany, Haas, 1.

12. Lance Stroll, Canada, Aston Martin, 1.

AP

Ferrari drivers, not the F1 kind, have taken the chance to head to Lygon Street and celebrate the team’s 10th Australian Grand Prix win on Sunday.

Ferrari drivers on Lygon Street, Carlton on Sunday.Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui

Ferrari lovers on Lygon Street, Carlton on Sunday.Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui

Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo made his return to Albert Park on Sunday and he spoke to Channel 10 post race after finishing 12th.

Give us your reaction to the race.

I mean, yeah, sometimes it is hard to process it straight after. I’m trying to replay everything in my head what happened and things I was happy about. Yeah, I remember passing one of the alpines, I think it was Esteban Ocon maybe? That was probably one of the only real passing opportunities I had and I took it so that was good. When you don’t get in the points you feel [bad] but I think there were moments in the race when I had a bit of a clear track and I was able to use my speed once I got past Esteban Ocon. I think we understand with where we have been struggling but they were certainly some moments of positiveness as well.”

Daniel Ricciardo.Credit: Eddie Jim

That is good to hear. In terms of the support this weekend, you have loved every moment of having the Aussie fans behind you?

It’s been awesome. AYesterday sucked for sure and even today I would love to have been in the points but the weekend as a whole, I got nothing to be upset about. There were a few years ago when I thought I was drained and leaving this a bit frustrated. The preparation got hindered. I certainly didn’t have any of that this week. I think everyone was awesome and the crowd was, so no excuses or weird feelings. It was a little bit of a busy schedule this week. I think we still managed it well and it is nice to be racing at home. I just would have loved to have, obviously, been a bit further up.

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton cut a frustrated figure after an engine issue forced him out of today’s Australian Grand Prix.

“The engine seized,” Hamilton told Sky Sports.

“It just appeared out of nowhere. It was a split-second thing.”

Lews Hamilton’s goes off the track on Sunday.Credit: AP

Hamilton agreed with a question asking if the Red Bull cars were well ahead of his team at present.

“There is a massive gap. I think they have a second on us, something like that,” Hamilton said.

“He [Sergio Perez] was on fresh tires but it is the same as last year.”

Hamilton will move to Ferrari next season.