Perfect start. Charles Leclerc is the fastest to start in the Melbourne Grand Prix. After him Max Verstappen and third Hamilton. On the second lap the other red of Carlos Sainz ends out. On the track the safety car that leaves the track shortly after. On lap 17, the red from Maranello increases the gap with Red Bull by over seven seconds. On lap 19 the world champion stops for the pit stop. Leclerc also stopped on lap 22, a very fast tire change by the Ferrari men, returned to first position. Before the thirtieth lap he is again the safety car. at the restart there is a duel between Leclerc and Verstappen but today the red does not give up. On lap 39 Max Versteppen stops at the side of the track with the engine in smoke. Lecerc was the first to cross the finish line, followed by Perez and Russell third.
«It is the first victory in which we have checked, but what a car we had, it is very strong and very reliable». Between smiles and flashes of true joy Charles Leclerc talks about his ride with Ferrari in the Australian Grand Prix from start to finish. «The tires – adds the Monegasque driver from the Maranello team – held up very well. I am very happy, it is incredible to win here. It is great to be back in these positions after the two difficult years we have had ». Naturally the Maranello team principal was also satisfied. «We are happy and content, victory is always beautiful. We had a very strong start to the season with the team, car and drivers all fast and competitive. We are focusing on ourselves and we came here trying to do our best – explains Mattia Binotto – To win we have to do everything perfectly, we have seen it after Bahrain. This is the mentality with which we are approaching. Running well in difficult conditions like here in Australia is always a great satisfaction. We didn’t think we had so many points in the standings. We hoped to be competitive and to be able to play for it. Our happiness is to see these results, but we know it’s just the beginning. It is the third race, we have to face them one at a time but, if these are the satisfactions, it is really a lot – added Binotto – The merit belongs to the group, not to a single person. We have all worked to have better results, raising the bar. The fruit of the work can be seen and personally I am happy with that. We can’t wait to get to Imola in this moment of form in front of our fans, there hasn’t been this opportunity for a long time. The hope is that it will be full to celebrate this moment with them. We cannot know the result of the next race, but we will face it to go to our best. I have wonderful memories of what Imola was like. Seeing the crowded Rivazza is a show, but first we will enjoy Easter at home ».
The only drawback is the retirement of Carlos Sainz: «You need to be perfect to get the right results. He certainly had circumstances that didn’t help him. Already yesterday in qualifying he was penalized by the red flag in Q3, while in the second attempt an error that cost him the chance to start in the top four. Today – adds Binotto – the choice of hard tires at the start and a problem behind the wheel on the grid. These are all circumstances that have not helped the driver and that lead him to make mistakes that are then paid dearly. I know Carlos, he will draw an important lesson from today and he will come out stronger than before. I am convinced that he will be able to redeem himself already in Imola ».
With his second win of the season In Australia, Charles Leclerc stretches further in the lead of the championship: the Monegasque now has 34 points ahead of the young Mercedes driver Russell. Verstappen, withdrawn for his second knockout of the season at his Red Bull, is even down to -46. Ferrari in the lead also in the Constructors. The World Cup returns to Imola in two weeks