CARLOS SAINZ recovered from appendicitis to win the Australian Grand Prix after Max Verstappen retired with a brake failure.
The Spanish driver was forced to miss the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and was replaced by British driver Oliver Bearman in Jeddah.
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Max Verstappen started the Aussie Grand Prix on poleCredit: GETTY
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But the defending champion was forced to retire in the third roundCredit: Rex
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Verstappen’s rear break caught fire
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His Red Bull was enveloped by smokeCredit: AP
However, despite undergoing surgery just 16 days ago, Sainz was in position to capitalise on a rare retirement from the reigning world champion.
Sainz, 29, scored his third win of the season and boosts his chances of earning a seat on the grid in 2025 after Ferrari decided to replace him with Lewis Hamilton, who was forced out of the race with an engine issue.
Sainz, who later pointed out he is ‘still jobless for next year’ said: “It was a really good race. I felt really good out there.
“Of course a bit stiff and especially physically it wasn’t the easiest but I was lucky I was more or less on my own and I could manage my pace, my tyres, manage everything, and it wasn’t the toughest race of all.
