Carlos Sainz wins Australian Grand Prix as Max Verstappen suffers shock early exit

Max Verstappen's dominance came to a sensational end at the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday as Ferrari's Carlos Sainz claimed his third victory after the world champion retired early in Melbourne.

Sainz, who had appendicitis surgery two weeks ago and missed the last race in Saudi Arabia, took the chequered flag 2.3 seconds ahead of teammate Charles Leclerc, with McLaren's Lando Norris a bold third.

But it was a disastrous day for pole-sitter Verstappen, who limped out with smoke billowing from his car after being passed by front-row partner Sainz on lap two.

"I have smoke, blue smoke, fire, fire," the Dutchman said on the team radio before his first retirement in more than two years after what appeared to be a rear brake issue.

It was also a horror race for Lewis Hamilton in his inconsistent Mercedes, with the British seven-time world champion suffering engine failure on lap 17.

To add to Mercedes' woes, teammate George Russell crashed heavily on the last lap with the car ending on its side. Russell climbed out unscathed.

Verstappen emphatically won the opening two races of the season in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in a Red Bull 1-2 and was the clear favourite to make it three from three.

He had been aiming to match his own record set last year of 10 consecutive wins – one more than Sebastian Vettel in 2013 – and was unbeaten in his last 18 starts from pole position.

But while Verstappen was favoured to win, the Ferraris had proved highly competitive in practice and qualifying on the fast and flowing Albert Park track. Despite not being fully fit, Sainz topped Q1 and Q2 to fire a warning shot before Verstappen pounced in Q3.

"P1 baby, it's amazing. Life's a rollercoaster at times," said Sainz, whose seat at Ferrari is to