Charles Leclerc sprays champagne after profitable the Method 1 Australian Grand Prix on April 10, 2022.
AP
MELBOURNE — Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc claimed victory on the 2022 Method 1 Australian Grand Prix on Sunday after a comparatively processional race on the upgraded Albert Park circuit.
Defending world champion Max Verstappen was pressured to retire his Purple Bull automotive on lap 38 with smoke popping out of the ability unit, permitting Leclerc to cruise to the checkered flag.
Followers had excessive hopes that the Melbourne observe, which returned to the calendar this yr with a number of widened corners and a chicane eliminated, would permit for extra overtaking throughout spherical three of the championship.
Somewhat, most overtakes befell on account of the Drag Discount System (DRS) zones, and the grid was re-shuffled when Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel crashed out on lap 23, triggering a digital security automotive.
Verstappen’s teammate, Sergio Perez, completed second and Mercedes’ George Russell rounded out the rostrum with a formidable third-place end — his finest end result since becoming a member of the crew this season.
He was lower than three seconds forward of Lewis Hamilton within the different Silver Arrows, who seemingly criticized his crew within the ultimate laps of the race for placing him “in a extremely tough place.”
Hamilton later clarified his radio message, telling reporters, “I couldn’t race for place as a result of the engine was overheating, I needed to again off.”
The seven-time world champ added, “George did a tremendous job as we speak. I noticed a little bit of the battle of him racing Perez, I want I might have been in it.”
McLaren’s Lando Norris and hometown hero Daniel Ricciardo completed fifth and sixth respectively — a season-best factors haul for the papaya outfit who struggled to familiarize yourself with their automotive within the first two races of the yr.
Ricciardo crossed the road 0.4 seconds behind Norris, later confirming that he was ordered to not try and overtake his teammate within the closing levels of the race.
“Seemed like a little bit of a photograph end, I used to be advised Lando had a couple of points in direction of the tip. Clearly, he slowed down quite a bit so the crew mentioned, uhh… be wise,” he mentioned. “I needed to management myself a bit of bit however in fact, a fifth and a sixth is a large end result for us up to now this yr.”
Alpine’s Esteban Ocon, Afla Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas, Alpha Tauri’s Pierre Gasly, and Williams’ Alex Albon rounded out the factors finishes.
Leclerc now extends his championship result in 71 factors, forward of Russell with 37 and his Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz with 33.
“It feels unimaginable,” the Monégasque driver mentioned of his gorgeous victory.
“Now I do know that beneath me I’ve received a automotive that's able to profitable. Maintaining with Purple Bull when it comes to growth goes to be tough [but] I’m assured. There’s no motive for us to be on the again foot,” he continued, confirming that the Italian outfit had “some developments coming.”
Method 1 now heads to Italy for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix on April 24, adopted by the inaugural Miami Grand Prix on Might 8.
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