Max Verstappen wins 'messy' Australian Grand Prix

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Red Bull’s Max Verstappen claimed his first Australian Grand Prix on Sunday in remarkable circumstances after a chaotic F1 race filled with drama from the green light to the checkered flag.

Although Red Bull’s first triumph in Melbourne since 2011 was expected, the carnage that unfolded in the latter stages of the race at Albert Park made it an extremely hard-fought win.

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who drove superbly in his Mercedes, finished second, while Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso took third spot on the podium.

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Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of Netherlands waves to fans during a drivers parade ahead of the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park in Melbourne, Sunday, April 2, 2023.  (AP Photo/Scott Barbour)

Only 12 of the 20 starters finished the race, with Australian Oscar Piastri making the most of the disorder to finish eighth and claim his first championship points for McLaren.

Verstappen was pleased to clinch victory but queried the decision by stewards to issue a red flag after a crash on lap 55 of the 58-lap race instead of deploying a safety car.

He held a comfortable lead at that stage but then had to fight to hold the front position from Hamilton when the race was restarted.

"Of course we are happy to win the race, but I think the race itself towards the end was a bit of a mess with all the calls," Verstappen said. "It left a lot of drivers confused as to why we needed a second red flag. Today was quite messy."

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of Netherlands leads during the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park in Melbourne,