#CHARLES LECLERC F1 DRIVER#
Verstappen’s duel with Leclerc had been an enthralling, joyous affair but his car’s demise was a moment of bitter disappointment for driver and team, when he retired having lost power with three laps to go. In pace terms Ferrari and Red Bull were the class of the field under F1’s new regulations but, where Ferrari had the perfect start, Red Bull were left pointless and facing a difficult inquiry into what happened. “This is the best result we could have got, we did the best we could and are grateful for these points,” he said. Hamilton acknowledged that they had been fortunate to score so well. Mercedes, who had expected to be off the pace, toiled in their uncompetitive car, but did everything required to be in position to take advantage when their chance came at the end. “Ferrari are properly back with a one-two, where the team should be,” he said. Pole position, victory, fastest lap, one-two with Carlos, we couldn’t have hoped for any better.” His teammate Sainz perhaps best summed up how the feeling will be at their base in Maranello on Sunday evening. “The last two years have been incredibly difficult for the team,” said Leclerc. Their engine has made a clear step forward, amply demonstrated by the improvements in other Ferrari-powered teams Haas and Alfa Romeo. Ferrari, who in effect wrote off the 2021 season in putting all their resources into developing this year’s car, have reaped the benefits. Passed twice in two laps, Leclerc fought back both times to regain the lead and then hold it for a deserved victory. Leclerc took the flag after a consummate display, marked by his calm command at the front and his staunch refusal to be cowed when Verstappen came at him. Kevin Magnussen was an impressive fifth for Haas on his first race back in F1. Their late retirements allowed Hamilton and George Russell to grab an against-the-odds third and fourth place for Mercedes, who had been firmly fifth and sixth through the race on pace. He would be classified in 12th at the chequered flag, despite finishing fourth on the road – Sainz was hit with a five-second penalty after a collision with Fernando Alonso on the final restart.The 24-year-old Leclerc ultimately won with a dominant drive from pole at the Bahrain International Circuit but only after a dramatic fight with Verstappen that had looked to be going to the wire only for both Red Bulls to suffer what the team called a “fuel system problem” that put them out. Leclerc’s retirement meant Ferrari’s race hinged on the efforts of Carlos Sainz, who fell down to 11th as a result of pitting under the Safety Car. The resulting gravel and debris strewn across the racing line led Race Control to make the decision to deploy the Safety Car before escalating to a red flag. The race was red-flagged shortly after the incident, due to a separate incident involving Alex Albon – the Williams driver crashing at the high-speed Turn 6. The incident was noted by the stewards, before a decision was taken that no further investigation was required. Max Verstappen: Lewis Hamilton ‘clearly didn’t follow rules’ in Australian GP battle
#CHARLES LECLERC F1 DRIVERS#
Pierre Gasly race ban concern for Alpine as drivers summoned to stewards Lewis Hamilton still feeling a ‘disconnect’ from his Mercedes W14 despite P2 finish “Lance touched my right-rear,” a deflated Leclerc radioed in, before clambering out of his car as the Safety Car was deployed. Leclerc, having started the race from seventh and taking an outside line into the corner, was tagged by Lance Stroll as the Canadian got squeezed between the Ferrari and his own teammate Fernando Alonso. Last year’s Australian Grand Prix winner Charles Leclerc retired from the race in Melbourne on the opening lap, after being tapped on the rear into Turn 3.Ī chaotic start saw Mercedes’ George Russell take the lead from pole-sitter Max Verstappen, with the battle of the top cars continuing down the straight into the tight right-hander at Turn 3. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was the first retirement from the Australian Grand Prix, after being tapped off the track by an Aston Martin.
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