(AFP via Getty Images)
Follow the reaction in the third F1 race of 2022 as Charles Leclerc scored a brilliant victory at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. The Ferrari ride went from start to finish after gaining pole position 24 hours earlier and was hardly challenged as it consolidated its position as the league favorite. Red Bull had problems with credibility as Max Verstappen was forced to retire for the second time in three games. The reigning champion “smelled a little strange liquid” in his car and was forced to drift. It was then requested by the marshals with fire extinguishers to avoid any further damage to the driver or the car. Sergio Perez secured a relatively lonely second place, while Mercedes will be quietly happy with the third and fourth place. George Russell climbed to his first podium of the season, while Lewis Hamilton did not lag far behind his teammate. McLaren also won a first double of the season with Lando Norris finishing fifth and home favorite Daniel Ricciardo sixth. Watch all the reactions from the Australian Grand Prix below:
Australian Grand Prix LIVE
Show last update 1649572516
Leclerc thanks the Ferrari team
Charles Leclerc was on the team radio to thank the Ferrari team for their help in securing the victory at Albert Park today. The 24-year-old also made the fastest lap of fast time on his last track tour, which could be crucial at the end of the season. “I wanted to do it [ the fastest lap]”, Said Leclerc. “Well done guys, thank you for everything. The car was wonderful! “ Dan Austin 10 April 2022 07:35 1649572412
Hamilton finishes fourth with Norris fifth
Lower in the series, Lewis Hamilton follows teammate George Russell across the line for fourth place. Behind the Mercedes pair are both McLaren, with Lando Norris leading Daniel Ricciardo to fifth and sixth. Esteban Ocon, Valtteri Bottas, Pierre Gasly and Alexander Albon are the other points. Dan Austin 10 April 2022 07:33 1649572314
Charles Leclerc wins the Australian Grand Prix!
The checkered flag is out and Charles Leclerc has won the Australian Grand Prix! Monegasque has made an absolutely outstanding performance in the whole wekend for Ferrari, and has full value for the 33-point lead he now has in the world championship. In second place is Sergio Perez and third is George Russell. Dan Austin 10 April 2022 07:31 1649572197
Gases out of orbit and passed through Botas
LAP 57/58: Valtteri Bottas climbed to ninth place after passing Pierre Gasly in the penultimate corner. The Frenchman slipped off the track and entered the grass after a lock, and now earns just one point instead of two. Dan Austin 10 April 2022 07:29 1649572110
Hamilton complains about the team over the radio
LAP 55/58: Lewis Hamilton was on the team radio complaining about his strategy for the match. “You put me in a very difficult position,” he tells the race engineer. Hamilton is going to finish behind George Russell, who managed to overtake him in the pits during the period of the security car, something that is beyond the control of the team, really … Dan Austin 10 April 2022 07:28 1649571919
Zhou and Magnussen pass Alonso
LAP 53/58: Fernando Alonso not only could not move forward, but now rejects the order. Guanyu Zhou and Keving Magnussen have now both surpassed the Spaniard, who is in 14th place and will not score a single point. It could really have been in pole position yesterday if it were not for its hydraulic failure and subsequent crash. What a shame. Dan Austin 10 April 2022 07:25 1649571792
Gasly and Bottas finally pass the Stroll
LAP 50/58: Pierre Gasly finally passes Lance Stroll at the helm of this DRS train, finishing ninth and an extra point in the process. Valtteri Bottas also lined up Canada for the final point payment point and made the same move in the next round. Stroll of course has a five-second penalty that will throw him the order at the end anyway. Dan Austin 10 April 2022 07:23 1649571399
Alonso finds it difficult to return to the points
REGULATION 47/58: Fernando Alonso could have been challenging for pole position yesterday afternoon, if his hydraulic problem had not forced him to collapse in Q3, but he is currently struggling to earn points. The Spaniard dropped to 13th place after finally putting on the middle tires, but was now caught on a DRS train behind Stroll in ninth place. He has won a place thanks to the lock of Mick Schumacher in the 3rd turn, but he can not pass by force in front of Valtteri Bottas, Pierre Gasly or Stroll. Dan Austin 10 April 2022 07:16 1649571285
Ride given time penalty
LAP 45/58: Lance Stroll was penalized five times for weaving in the pit directly when defended by Valtteri Bottas at Alfa Romeo. The Canadians were moving from left to right with a dangerous pattern and it’s worth it. Stroll is also under investigation for forcing Bottas to leave the track at turn 4 and could be punished again. Dan Austin 10 April 2022 07:14 1649570951
Leclerc has a huge lead in front of the pitch
LAP 41/58: The virtual safety car has been withdrawn and we are back to racing. Charles Leclerc now has a huge lead just under 12 seconds behind Sergio Perez in second, with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton in third and fourth. Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo are back in fifth and sixth place. Fernando Alonso has finally pitched for some mid-range tires and wants to return to points from P13 on the track. Dan Austin 10 April 2022 07:09
