Max Verstappen’s hopes for a successful race at the Australian Grand Prix were dashed just three laps in when his Red Bull car unexpectedly burst into flames. The RB20 suffered a spectacular failure in the right rear brake, forcing the three-time champion to pull off the track and head to the pits.
The Dutchman, who had started from pole position, lost his lead to Spanish driver Carlos Sainz early in the race. The smoke emerging from Verstappen’s car quickly escalated into a full-blown fire, causing him to slow down and ultimately retire from the race.
This marked Verstappen’s first retirement in 43 races, dating back to the 2022 season. The weekend in Australia had proven challenging for the Red Bull team, with issues in the balance of the car during training sessions. Despite securing pole position in qualifying, Verstappen’s hopes of a victory were extinguished by the unexpected mechanical failure.
The disappointment in Australia put an end to Verstappen’s record-breaking streak of nine consecutive wins, leaving him unable to match his own record of ten. The Red Bull team now faces the challenge of regrouping before the next race as they look to bounce back from this setback.