The third race of the 2024 calendar which is the Australian Grand Prix was one where a few shocks were seen and a lot of quality racing from the drivers who are not the champions. This was a race where it was an open race after a long time. The Australian Grand Prix is one that is not the strongest circuit for Red Bull. There are 21 races left in the season. This will be a very thrilling season if the other drivers catch up to Max Verstappen.
Let’s look at the Results of the Australian Grand Prix 2024
Race Results
The race started and by Lap 2 Carlos Sainz led the race in his comeback race after his surgery. Lap 5 of the race and Max Verstappen is out of the race due to a mechanical failure. There will be a new winner. Lap 12 and Oscar Piastri is having a great run as he gets past Nico Hulkenberg and Pierre Gasly. By Lap 16, Carlos Sainz pits and he sets the fastest lap of the race. It is Lap 17 of the race and Lewis Hamilton is also out and this allows Fernando Alonso to get a cheap pit Stop. By Lap 21, Charles Leclerc is only a second ahead of Carlos Sainz. Oscar Piastri is at P3 on Lap 23 and will be looking for a home podium. Lap 26 and Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen are in P11 and P12 and both Haas drivers will be looking for points.
By Lap 27, Carlos Sainz is four Seconds in the lead and he once again sets the fastest lap of the race. On Lap 29, McClaren told Oscar Piastri that he has to let Lando Norris pass as he has the faster tyres. A lot of mind games going on in Lap 35 and Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are P2 and P3. Zhou Guanyu has a slow pit stop at Lap 37 and as a result Carlos Sainz laps him. It is Lap 49 of the race and Pierre Gasly has received a 5 second penalty for crossing the line coming out of the pit exit. The attendance for the race has been announced at 132,106 which is a Sunday record in Australia. The total race attendance across 4 days was 452,055. By Lap 53, the only battle to watch out for is George Russell trying for P6 ahead of Fernando Alonso. In the final lap of the race George Russell crashes and he is out of the race meaning a double not finished for Mercedes. It is the end of the race and Carlos Sainz has won his comeback race in an excellent drive. Charles Leclerc finished P2 and Lando Norris in P3.
Race Standings
Position | Driver | Team | Points |
1. | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari | 25 |
2. | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 19 |
3. | Lando Norris | McClaren | 15 |
4. | Oscar Piastri | McClaren | 12 |
5. | Sergio Perez | Red Bull | 10 |
6. | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | 8 |
7. | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | 6 |
8. | Yuki Tsonuda | Visa Cash App RB | 4 |
9. | Nico Hulkenberg | Haas | 2 |
10. | Kevin Magnussen | Haas | 1 |
11. | Alex Albon | Williams | 0 |
12. | Daniel Ricciardo | Visa Cash App RB | 0 |
13. | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | 0 |
14. | Valteri Bottas | Kick Sauber | 0 |
15. | Zhou Guanyu | Kick Sauber | 0 |
16. | Esteban Ocon | Alpine | 0 |
DNF | George Russell | Mercedes | 0 |
DNF | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 0 |
DNF | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 0 |
DNS | Logan Sargeant | Williams | 0 |
