Carlos Sainz Jr, representing Ferrari, secured the first position in the 2024 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix. In a thrilling turn of events, Sainz took advantage of Max Verstappen’s early retirement due to brake failure and emerged as the victor. His victory was well-deserved, with Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc and McLaren’s Lando Norris following closely behind in second and third place, respectively.
Sainz’s performance was particularly remarkable considering the circumstances. Just two weeks prior, he had undergone surgery to remove his appendix in Saudi Arabia. Despite this setback, he showcased his skills on the track and proved himself as a top contender. His impressive performance has caught the attention of rival teams, especially with the recent announcement that Lewis Hamilton will be joining the Scuderia in 2025.
In a post-race interview with Guenther Steiner, Sainz expressed his satisfaction with the race. He acknowledged the physical challenges he faced but credited his ability to maintain a steady pace and effectively manage various aspects of the race. Sainz also expressed his pride in his team’s achievements, highlighting the significance of the 1-2 finish alongside Charles Leclerc.
Reflecting on the ups and downs he has experienced throughout the year, Sainz described his journey as a rollercoaster. From the challenges at the beginning of the season to his podium finish in Bahrain, followed by his appendix surgery and subsequent comeback, Sainz expressed his appreciation for the unpredictable nature of life. Despite the obstacles, he expressed his love for the sport and his overwhelming happiness with his victory.
Leclerc also commended Sainz for his outstanding performance, particularly noting his ability to bounce back after surgery and deliver an exceptional race.
The driver from Monaco faced difficulties with tire degradation during his middle stint but praised Ferrari for their exceptional performance in Australia.
“Yeah, it feels great primarily for the team,” he expressed.
“I mean, achieving 1st and 2nd hasn’t happened since Bahrain 2022, which brings back fond memories and it’s incredible that we were able to accomplish that.
“In the first stint, we had to defend our position, so we had to make an earlier pit stop and from that moment on, Carlos was extremely fast while I struggled with my tires.
“As soon as we made the first pit stop, it became clear to me.
“But once again, Carlos has outperformed everyone throughout the weekend, from qualifying to the race, and he definitely deserves this victory.
“So I’m genuinely happy for him, I’m genuinely happy for the team, and it’s a great haul of points.”
With Verstappen retiring and Sergio Perez finishing disappointingly in fifth place, Lando Norris seized the opportunity to secure a podium finish for McLaren, and he was pleased with the outcome.
“It was an excellent day for us,” Norris expressed.
“I’m very delighted and proud of our team. Securing P3 and P4 earns us a significant number of points in the championship, so that’s the first thing.
“We missed out on Charles. I believe our pace was slightly better, but he managed to undercut us in the first stint, so there was a glimmer of hope for second place. Our performance today was strong enough.
“I didn’t really expect to be standing on the podium, so I’m extremely happy.
“It’s evident that this circuit suits us to some extent, allowing us to unleash a bit more speed.
“However, Ferrari and Red Bull are still ahead of us by a step or two, so we need to catch up. But it’s clear that we’re closing the gap, and a day like today proves exactly that. A big thank you to everyone at McLaren.”