Summary
Max Verstappen won the Canadian Grand Prix but was forced to retire from the Australian Grand Prix just five laps in due to a vehicle issue involving his rear-right brake that caused smoke and flames. Starting on pole, Verstappen’s winning streak came to an end as he lost time and was unable to continue the race. Lewis Hamilton, another F1 champion, also retired early from the Grand Prix due to an engine failure. Verstappen explained that the car felt “weird” due to the brake issue, and investigations will be conducted to determine what went wrong.
Max Verstappen reacts to shocking Australian Grand Prix retirement ending winning streak
Formula 1 star Max Verstappen has explained the “really weird” issue that led his Red Bull car to catch fire just four laps into the Australian Grand Prix which cost him his winning streak.
According to the Mirror, despite starting on pole and aiming for a 10th consecutive F1 race win, the Dutchman’s afternoon began to unravel as soon as the Grand Prix began.
Verstappen made a mistake heading into Turn Eight on the second lap and it didn’t take long for him to realise that his vehicle had a serious issue, giving Carlos Sainz the lead.
The 26-year-old world champion’s Red Bull suffered significant damage to its rear-right tyre, resulting in smoke coming out and flames erupting from the tyre.
The damage resulted in a significant loss of time and Verstappen was forced to retire from the race just five laps in.
He was visibly annoyed and rushed to the media pen to explain the situation.
He said: “We could see in the data and as soon as the lights went off the right-rear brake just stuck on and, of course, the damage kept on increasing. I was basically driving with the handbrake on. That’s why the car felt really weird to drive in some corners, really snappy.
“On the laps to the grid the car was spot on and I was really happy with what we were doing, but if a brake is stuck on, that doesn’t help. It’s too early [to know what went wrong], they will investigate.”
Additionally, Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time F1 World Drivers’ Champion, also retired from his Grand Prix prematurely due to an engine failure, confirmed by a Mercedes spokesperson as a power unit problem.
Max Verstappen’s Unfortunate Incident at the Australian Grand Prix
Max Verstappen, the Formula 1 superstar, had a disappointing turn of events at the Australian Grand Prix when his Red Bull car caught fire just four laps into the race. This incident not only cost him the race but also ended his impressive winning streak. Let’s delve into the details of what happened at the Grand Prix that fateful day.
Initial Expectations and Setbacks
Starting on pole and eyeing his 10th consecutive F1 race win, Verstappen’s hopes were high as the Australian Grand Prix commenced. However, his afternoon took a drastic turn when he made a critical mistake heading into Turn Eight on the second lap. It soon became evident that his car was facing a serious issue, allowing Carlos Sainz to take the lead.
The Fire and Retiring from the Race
Verstappen’s Red Bull car suffered significant damage to its rear-right tyre, leading to smoke and flames emanating from the tyre. The visible damage forced him to retire from the race after just five laps, marking a premature end to his aspirations of clinching another victory.
Verstappen’s Explanation
In the aftermath of the incident, a visibly frustrated Verstappen hurried to the media pen to shed light on the technical issue that marred his race. He revealed, “We could see in the data and as soon as the lights went off the right-rear brake just stuck on and, of course, the damage kept on increasing. I was basically driving with the handbrake on, making the car feel really weird and unstable in certain corners.”
He further elaborated, “On the laps to the grid the car was spot on and I was really happy with what we were doing, but if a brake is stuck on, that doesn’t help. It’s too early to determine the exact cause of the malfunction, as further investigations will be conducted.”
Hamilton’s Early Exit
Adding to the drama of the Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton, a legendary seven-time F1 World Drivers’ Champion, also faced an unfortunate early exit from the race. A Mercedes spokesperson confirmed that Hamilton had to retire due to an engine failure, specifically a power unit problem.
Conclusion
The Australian Grand Prix witnessed unexpected turn of events with both Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton retiring prematurely from the race due to technical issues. While Verstappen’s fire incident dashed his hopes of another triumph, Hamilton’s engine failure added to the drama on the track. As the F1 season unfolds, fans will be eager to see how these setbacks impact the drivers’ championship standings and the overall competition in the sport.