Another Leclerc masterclass allowed the Monagesque to open up a significant lead over his rivals already.
Another disappointing DNF for Max Verstappen on a Sunday.
Charles Leclerc reigned supreme in the afternoon sunshine at Albert Park while the two other podium places were made up of rival teams Red Bull and Mercedes. The Leclerc masterclass now puts him 33 points clear of any other title rival in a strong championship bid for the Scuderia.
Another Leclerc masterclass allowed the Monagesque to open up a significant lead over his rivals already.
It wasn’t all celebrations for the Scarlet Red team as an early race incident saw Spanish countryman Carlos Sainz beach his Ferrari F1-75 into the gravel and force a safety car. After the retirement of the Spaniard, Max Verstappen who was trailing race leader Charles Leclerc didn’t seem to have an answer to the race pace of the #16 Ferrari and slowly fell further away from grasping the top step of the podium.
The last time Ferrari enjoyed such domination in the form of pole position, fastest lap and race win at Albert Park, Kimi Räikkönen went on to win the title in 2007 but Charles Leclerc remains weary and stated the season is still in its infancy in a post race interview.
The Dutchman suffered ill fate once again where a liquid leak caused a fire in his Red Bull Racing RB18 forcing him to retire towards the end of the race. This is two retirements from podium positions in three races and certainly not what the Milton Keynes outfit require when lamenting a title challenge against the Italian Formula 1 stalwarts.
Another disappointing DNF for Max Verstappen on a Sunday.
George Russell finished ahead of Lewis Hamilton in third and fourth position respectively after retirements from one of each of their rivals. The Briton has now claimed his first podium with Mercedes in a car that is still a substantial amount of development away from competing for the overall honours.
There were a total eight teams in the points scoring positions with Mclarens of Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo earning their first double points finish of the season. Esteban Ocon of Alpine led an anonymous race and finished in seventh while Valterri Bottas managed a respectable eighth for Alfa Romeo, ahead of Pierre Gasly behind the wheel of the AlphaTauri and Alexander Albon of the Williams.
Aston Martin remains the only team in the paddock to not score points at a grand prix this season but don’t look too far off the pace to do so. Lance Stroll finished in twelfth position while teammate Sebastian Vettel retired after damaging the front and rear of the AMR22. This may be the first season since 2019 that each competing team finishes the season with points to their tally.
There will be a two week break before the racing returns to Europe with the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari on the 24th of April. Imola will host the first of the Saturday sprint races ahead of the main feature race on Sunday and the Tifosi will be hoping for another Leclerc masterclass in their home country.
Keyword: Leclerc masterclass wins 2022 Australian Grand Prix for Ferrari