Max Verstappen has received a significantly chaotic Australian Grand Prix for the primary time to finish his Melbourne hoodoo and prolong his lead within the drivers’ championship.
It was Purple Bull’s first win in Australia since Sebastian Vettel saluted in 2011, ending a 12-year drought.
Nevertheless it was a carnage-filled race that was purple flagged a document thrice and noticed eight drivers with the letters DNF subsequent to their identify.
Watch the Components 1 Australian Grand Prix 2023 Dwell and ad-break free in racing on Kayo Sports activities this Sunday April 2 3:00PM AEDT. New to Kayo? Begin your free trial now >
Verstappen began on pole place however was overtaken by George Russell and Lewis Hamilton on a chaotic opening lap that noticed Charles Leclerc crash out of the race.
Mercedes had been in a first-rate spot to attempt to management the race however Alex Albon spun out and sprayed gravel onto the observe.
Mercedes introduced Russell into the pits however the race was purple flagged, which means Russell fell right down to seventh when he might have stayed within the lead and had a free pit cease throughout the delay.
Hamilton took the lead however was quickly overtaken by Verstappen in his rocket ship, earlier than Russell’s automotive caught on hearth, ending his race.
Simply because it appeared like Verstappen was cruising to victory, there was some late drama when Kevin Magnussen crashed, triggering one other purple flag and establishing a two-lap sprint to the top of the race.
Then all hell broke free as 4 drivers crashed out in a chaotic restart.
Carlos Sainz ran into Fernando Alonso, inflicting the Spanish veteran to spin off the observe.
Alpine duo Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon crashed into one another and ended their race.
The carnage was so chaotic officers determined to restart the race within the order of the earlier begin, for a procession lap.
Sainz was handed a five-second time penalty for bumping into Alonso, which demoted him to twelfth, consigning Ferrari to a pointless race.
Ultimately, solely 12 of the 20 drivers accomplished the grand prix, which means Oscar Piastri completed eighth to attain the primary championship factors of his profession at his dwelling race.
Purple Bull has received the primary three races of a season for the primary time ever, whereas Alonso has completed on the rostrum in each race thus far in 2023.
Australian Grand Prix outcomes
1) Max Verstappen
2) Lewis Hamilton
3) Fernando Alonso
4) Lance Stroll
5) Sergio Perez
6) Lando Norris
7) Niko Hulkenberg
8) Oscar Piastri
9) Zhou Guanyu
10) Yuki Tsunoda
5.05pm — Automobiles out in mass carnage
After the race restarted, Verstappen saved the lead from Hamilton however chaos ensued behind them.
Carlos Sainz ran into Fernando Alonso, Sergio Perez went broad into the gravel, and Alpine’s French duo of Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon collided, ending each their races.
All of it meant McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri pulled a Steven Bradbury to maneuver up into sixth and seventh.
The race was purple flagged. It’s unclear if it’s going to resume of if will probably be declared completed.
Former world champion Jenson Button described the restart as “absolute chaos”.
4.55pm — Purple flag units up mad sprint
It appeared like Verstappen was cruising to victory earlier than Kevin Magnussen crashed out, prompting a second purple flag of the race.
The late drama arrange an exciting two-lap dash to the top from a standing begin.
Verstappen had been sluggish off the mark on the begins and was livid that the race was delayed.
“The the f*** do you imply purple flag,” Verstappen stated.
It arrange an identical end to the 2021 Abu Dhabi season finale, the place Verstappen overtook Hamilton on the final lap in dramatic circumstances.
4.25pm — Hamilton holding off Alonso
There’s simply over 10 laps to go and Verstappen leads by 10 seconds from Hamilton, who’s attempting to carry off fellow veteran and his previous rival Fernando Alonso.
Sergio Perez has made his means up into seventh, whereas Oscar Piastri is eleventh and could possibly be stranded simply outdoors the factors.
3.50pm — Russell’s automotive on hearth, out of race
George Russell’s race is over after the rear of his Mercedes caught on hearth, forcing him to grind to a halt in pit lane with flames popping out of his automotive.
It’s wretched luck after he took the lead on the primary nook of the race.
Verstappen leads from Hamilton, Alonso and Pierre Gasly.
Oscar Piastri was in tenth however was handed by Sergio Perez.
3.45pm — Race resumes, Verstappen takes lead
The race is again underway. Hamilton held the lead after a standing begin nevertheless it solely took a few laps for Verstappen to overhaul him in a DRS zone and open up a snug lead.
Russell is up into fourth and chasing Fernando Alonso in third.
McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are in ninth and eleventh.
3.20pm — Albon triggers one other security automotive
The race has been purple flagged after Alex Albon misplaced management of his Williams and spun off, spraying gravel onto the observe.
Mercedes introduced Russell in to pit, assuming it might be a regular security automotive interval.
However the purple flag meant he fell right down to seventh place when he might have had a free pit cease.
“Sorry George that screwed us. However we will nonetheless go to the entrance and podium or higher,” Mercedes crew principal Toto Wolff advised Russell over crew radio.
Lewis Hamilton is now within the lead however complained he ought to have pitted as properly: “That has put me at a large drawback.”
3.10pm — Mercedes duo overtake Max in wild begin
In a wild begin, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton have overtaken Max Verstappen on the opening lap to place the reigning champion on the again foot.
Russell acquired the leap on Verstappen on the beginning and Hamilton acquired his elbows out and edged previous the Dutchman on Flip 3. Verstappen complained Hamilton pushed him broad.
In all of the chaos, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc acquired hit from behind by Lance Stroll and went into the gravel, ending his race and triggering a security automotive.
Russell is within the lead, whereas Oscar Piastri has moved as much as thirteenth.
2.45pm — Aussie stars grace the grid
Kylie Minogue simply can’t get F1 out of her head.
The Aussie popstar was on the grid forward of the race, which she stated was the primary time she’d been on the Australian Grand Prix in 15 years.
“I’ve acquired considered one of my nephews right here who’s a tragic – an obsessive. It means a lot to be right here, in my dwelling city, magnificent day,” Minogue advised Sky Sports activities.
Jenson Button requested: “Interviewer: Do you’ve got anybody you’re cheering for?
Minogue replied: “Simply normal cheers.”
Additionally making an look was famous person Aussie snowboarder Scotty James, who has a conflicted curiosity within the race.
His soon-to-be brother-in-law Lance Stroll races for Aston Martin, whereas he’s shut pals with Daniel Ricciardo.
Initially printed as Australian Grand Prix: Verstappen wins as late twist sparks ‘absolute chaos’
