Angry Verstappen an early retirement from Australian GP in race won by Sainz
Associated PressMELBOURNE, Australia — An angry Max Verstappen was an early exit from the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix on Sunday, with the Red Bull driver sustaining a fiery mechanical failure on the fourth lap of the race, enduring his first race retirement since Albert Park in Australia in 2022. They could see what was going on but they don’t know what caused it.” “We had a lot of good races in a row, I knew that the day would come when you end up having a retirement and unfortunately that day was today.” Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton was another early retirement with an engine failure on lap 17. Verstappen kept on the Spaniard’s tail, but just two laps later was spewing smoke from the back of his car, with fire following, forcing his retirement from the race. The 26-year-old had earlier complained on team radio about “losing the car.” Soon afterward, smoke appeared at the rear of Verstappen’s car and he was forced into the pits, with no hope of a return.