The 2024 Formula 1 season rolled into the Australian Grand Prix, and it delivered high drama – shattering long-standing streaks and crowning an unexpected winner. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz captured a thrilling victory, his 3rd career win and first since returning from appendicitis surgery.

The biggest storylines were the ending of Max Verstappen’s incredible 43-race finishing streak dating back to the 2022 Australian GP, as well as his 9-race winning streak spanning back into 2023. The three-time reigning world champion retired with a mechanical failure on just lap 3, dashing his bid for a 10th straight victory. Teammate Sergio Perez could only manage 5th for Red Bull.

Mercedes also hit trouble as Lewis Hamilton’s engine failed on lap 17, bringing a premature end to his own 43-race finishing run in cruel symmetry with Verstappen’s streak-ender. However, George Russell nearly stole the spotlight with a massive last-lap crash that he remarkably walked away from unharmed.

Ferrari enjoyed a double podium as Carlos Sainz took the win, followed by Charles Leclerc in 2nd place. McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri took 3rd and 4th respectively. Leclerc also claimed the fastest lap on an otherwise stellar day for the Scuderia.

The results tightened the championship battles after just 3 races, with Red Bull now leading the constructors’ standings by just 4 points over Ferrari. Verstappen still tops the drivers’ table, but his advantage shrunk after Sainz’s well-deserved, emotional victory as driver of the day.