Max Verstappen wins chaotic Australian Grand Prix as Lewis Hamilton takes first podium

Max Verstappen won the Australian Grand Prix for the first time in his career on Sunday after two late red flags and several crashes caused chaos at Albert Park before before the Red Bull driver was allowed a processional victory lap.

The defending and two-time Formula One world champion began from pole and despite being passed by Mercedes pair George Russell and Lewis Hamilton at the start, he kept his cool to tighten his grip on the drivers' championship.

Hamilton came home second for his first podium of the season ahead of Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso, who made it three podiums from three this year.

"We had a very poor start, lap one I was careful as I had a lot to lose," said Dutchman Verstappen, who won the season-opening race in Bahrain and came second in Jeddah two weeks ago to lead the standings on 69 points, 15 ahead of teammate Sergio Perez.

"After that, the pace of the car was quick. With these red flags, I don't know, I don't really understand. It was a bit of a mess but we had good pace and we won, so that's important."

It was a disastrous day for Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, last year's winner, who spun out on the first lap, while Russell's car caught fire on lap 19 and his race too was over.

Victory was Verstappen's maiden win in Melbourne and Red Bull's first in Australia since Sebastian Vettel's 2011 triumph. His teammate and winner in Saudi Arabia Perez sliced through the field to come fifth after qualifying last due to brake issues, behind Lance Stroll in the other Aston Martin.

The Red Bull triumph came despite incredible late drama which saw a red flag come out when Verstappen had a comfortable lead from Hamilton and Alonso with two laps left, meaning they had a bunched restart for an all-out attack