Australian GP takeaways: Sainz's incredible comeback, Williams' tough call
Following each race weekend this year, theScore's editors Gianluca Nesci, Daniel Valente, Sarah Wallace, and Brandon Wile will offer their takeaways. We continue the 2024 schedule with the Australian GP.
Moments that decided the race 👀
Verstappen's streak goes up in smoke
Just when the Formula 1 season felt at risk of becoming soulless and repetitive, Max Verstappen's rear right brake set fire to the world. After nine consecutive wins, there would be no perfect 10 for the reigning world champion. In fact, there would be barely much of anything for the Dutch driver. With a brake issue hobbling him from the start, Verstappen led only one lap before being passed by Carlos Sainz. By Lap 5 he was walking into the garage as Red Bull mechanics took a fire extinguisher to his RB20.
It was a reminder of just how unpredictable Formula 1 can be and of the levels of perfection required to dominate on the level Verstappen and Red Bull have. While viewers only see a driver performing at an unforeseen level in an incredible car, there are so many decisions on a micro level that can alter a weekend. Even then, one random brake failure, engine blowout, or faultless collision can throw it all away.
Verstappen's retirement in Australia didn't just change the course of the race, it's flipped the season on its head. For the first time in over a decade (2013), the top of the drivers' championship is separated by four points or fewer after three races.
Sainz overtakes and never looks back
Appendixes are overrated anyway.
Two weeks after withdrawing from the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix with appendicitis and then having abdominal surgery, Sainz charged straight back into action and qualified front of the grid. After passing Verstappen with DRS on Lap 2 and the Dutchman's subsequent retirement on Lap 5, the Spaniard ran away from the competition to solidify his third grand prix win and the first 1-2 for Ferrari since Bahrain 2022. He's the only non-Red Bull driver to win in the past two seasons, also emerging victorious in Singapore.
Coming off two dominant grand prix and a record-setting season, history seemed destined to repeat for Red Bull and Verstappen. Sainz's performance this weekend is nothing short of incredible and an early contender for the comeback story of the season - the "Smooth Operator" said he could "barely move" before his flight to Australia nine days prior, went to hyperbaric chambers twice a day, and generally felt "very stiff" toward the end of the race.
Sainz has overcome more adversity and challenges than just appendicitis these past two months. His ability to adjust his mindset after being told his contract wouldn't be renewed is nothing to scoff at - mental toughness and self-motivation can be the most challenging aspects in all of sports. While Verstappen's retirement presented a golden opportunity, Sainz has proved he has the determination and focus needed to overcome whatever personal adversities are thrown his way.
Driver of the Day 🙌
Sainz: As mentioned earlier, there really wasn't a bigger standout performance. Just two weeks removed from surgery, Sainz did more than anyone could have expected by turning his front-row start into a convincing victory in Australia. An honorable mention goes to Yuki Tsunoda, who out-qualified teammate Daniel Ricciardo for the third time this season and placed seventh, his best finish since Imola in 2022.
What were they thinking? 🤔
Williams replaces Sargeant with Albon
The decision to give Logan Sargeant's chassis to Alex Albon after the latter ruined his car beyond repair due to a crash in FP1 called several aspects of Williams' management into serious question.
Williams' justification was that Albon provided its best opportunity to score points in one of F1's tightest midfields ever. While that on its own seems like a fair assessment, it also seemingly admits the team has no faith in Sargeant's abilities, which provokes the question: Why was he brought back for 2024? Williams may argue one race in the present doesn't change their long-term hope for Sargeant's future, but that can be countered with: How does making a young driver - who's already in need of confidence and experience - withdraw help his confidence moving forward?
There are countless other off-track issues that this poses, too. How, in 2024, is a team in Formula 1 - the apparent crown jewel of motorsport - unable to build a third chassis? Andretti Global, which was rejected by the series for several reasons, including not adding value to the sport, has to be perplexed watching what happened in Australia.
Williams opted to make a highly controversial decision, which put a lot of avoidable heat on the team and its leadership. All that for zero points, as Albon finished in 11th.
They said what? 🗣️
Fernando Alonso on if he brake-tested George Russell: "I was focusing in front of me, not behind. I had some issues for the last 15 laps on the battery deployment. Definitely, I was struggling a little bit at the end of the race. I cannot focus on the cars behind. He's OK. I saw the car and was worried."
Russell on his crash: "My take is, I've gone off and that's on me, but I was half-a-second behind Fernando 100 meters before the corner, and suddenly he came towards me extremely quick and I was riding his gearbox. I don't know if he's got a problem (with his car) or not. We're off to the stewards, so that's a bit bizarre in a circumstance like this. ... It's clear that he braked 100 meters before the corner and went back on the throttle again, and took the corner normally. We've already seen the data of that. I'm not going to accuse him of anything until we see further."
Lando Norris on if he should get his appendix removed: "Clearly, you do it and you win the next race. Next time you see me, I'll be running like Carlos."
Sainz on his whirlwind start to the season: "You cannot imagine how proud I am. You know how tough the start of the year has been for me with the non-renewal after putting together a good preseason testing. Arriving to the first race, now you say, 'I'm ready to fight this year.' Then the appendix, another low, and then suddenly you come back and win. Life is sometimes really beautiful. ... I'm still jobless for next year. I know when I'm in a good car I can get it done."
Albon on Williams' decision with Sargeant: "He's OK. He's been a trooper in it all. I wouldn't like to be in his shoes, that's for sure. It's a team effort and we took a decision to try and score some points today and, obviously, we were close to getting it."
Tsunoda on his love of breakfast: "Australian breakfast is amazing, the coffee as well. I just need to take care of my weight, to not overshoot. At the same time, I'm quite small, so I don't have to worry much about the weight. This is actually an advantage compared to the other drivers. I'm going to enjoy the breakfast tomorrow to kind of recharge myself, and I can't wait for the Japanese food finally."
What's next?
F1 has another brief break before the Japanese GP takes place April 7 at 1 a.m. ET.
Verstappen won last year's race at the Suzuka Circuit in September ahead of Norris and Oscar Piastri.