Hamilton suffers Australian GP engine failure after Verstappen catches fire

24 March 2024 , 04:32

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Lewis Hamilton's Australia race was over before he completed 20 laps (Image: Getty Images)

Lewis Hamilton's engine blew up in the middle of the Australian Grand Prix - just a few laps after Max Verstappen was also forced to retire from the race.

Red Bull racer Verstappen started on pole but soon lost the lead to Carlos Sainz. And then his race was over for sure when one of his brakes caught fire and melted the rear-right corner of his car.

And Hamilton became the second retiree from the race just 10 laps later. The seven-time F1 champion reported an engine problem over the radio and it soon became clear that his power unit had completely failed.

The retirements left Ferrari in prime position to take full advantage. Sainz had a comfortable lead after Verstappen's retirement while, after the first round of pit stops, team-mate Charles Leclerc was placed right behind him.

Sainz is the most recent race winner prior to the Melbourne weekend. He took victory in Singapore last year - the last time Verstappen failed to win an F1 race.

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The Dutchman's early retirement ended his chances of matching his own record of 10 consecutive F1 race victories. It also allows his rivals to close the gap in the championship and give them hope that wins are still possible - even if Verstappen is too quick when his car is working.

The Red Bull racer was under pressure from the moment the second lap of the Australia race began. DRS allowed Sainz to stay within touching distance and so the Spaniard could take full advantage when the mistake came from the defending champion.

He went off line in Turn Eight and, by the next corner, the Ferrari had flown by him. But it turned out that was the least of his issues as smoke was soon visible coming out the back of his Red Bull. He reported the problem over the radio and was slowing down on track.

Verstappen limped back to the pit lane but the damage done by the flames was far too severe for him to be able to safely continue. He was soon out of the car and looked visibly unimpressed as he took off his race gear in the Red Bull garage.

In contrast, Hamilton sounded exasperated as he reported his own problem, having struggled to match the pace of his competitors on track before that anyway. And team-mate George Russell was also struggling to make any progress from seventh, before crashing late on to cap off a wretched weekend for Mercedes.

Daniel Moxon