- World champion had started on pole position
- Was overtaken by Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz
- Smoke started pouring out of the back of his Red Bull
Reigning world champion Max Verstappen has been forced to withdraw from the Australian Grand Prix after the right rear of his car caught fire early in the race.
The Dutchman complained that the car felt ‘loose’ when he was passed by Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz two laps into the race.
On lap five you could see more and more smoke coming out of the back of his Red Bull as he lost speed and started to drop back through the field.
Verstappen (centre) is pictured getting out of his Red Bull after the pit crew battled flames coming from the right rear brake
The world champion was not visible due to thick smoke coming from the back of a car due to a defect in the right rear brake
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz passed the world champion on the second lap (pictured) – just before Verstappen said the car was ‘loose’ and then added: ‘fire, fire!’ while the flames lapped at the back
He managed to get the car back into the pits, but at that point flames came from the right rear wheel brake, forcing the team’s mechanics to use fire extinguishers.
Verstappen left the car when his race was over and was soon seen taking off his racing clothes.
“I just lost the car, very strange,” he said at the first indication of a problem as he was overtaken by Sainz.
Then he told the team, “I got smoke, blue smoke, fire, fire!” on lap five as he slowly made his way to pit lane.
Lewis Hamilton was also forced to retire on lap 17, using the team radio to inform the Mercedes garage that he had suffered an engine failure.
Verstappen’s farewell continues a mixed relationship with Albert Park for the three-time world champion, who was forced to retire in the 2022 edition.
Verstappen had won nine races in a row, dating back to the Japanese Grand Prix last September.
A win at Albert Park would have brought him level with his own record, set by his ten consecutive victories from Miami to Monza last year.
Verstappen won 19 races last season – the most in F1 history – on his way to a third straight title to completely dominate the rest of the field.
