Two long-time rivals Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton once again competed for the top spot at the podium in the Australian Grand Prix 2023. However, eventually it was the Red Bull driver who emerged as the winner against his Mercedes counterpart on Sunday.
The reigning world champion had started from the pole position and even though the Mercedes duo of Hamilton and George Russell overtook him initially, in the end Verstappen showed his class to consolidate his lead in the world championship race for the current season. It wasn't the smoothest of race as the event was red-flagged three times and witnessed several crashes.
It was the third podium finish on the trot for Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso as he took the third place, much like the first two races of the year.
"We had a very poor start, lap one I was careful as I had a lot to lose," Verstappen said after the race. It is pertinent to note that the Dutchman had won the season-opening race in Bahrain and came second in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
"After that, the pace of the car was quick. With these red flags, I don't know, I don't really understand. It was a bit of a mess but we had good pace and we won, so that's important," he added.
Winners of the last year's Australian Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc, had a forgettable outing and was spun out in the first lap itself while Hamilton's teammate Russell's car caught fire on lap 19 and his race was cut short.
The result was also significant as it was the first win for the 25-year-old Verstappen in his career and the first such result for Red Bull Down Under since Sebastian Vettel won 12 years ago.
Verstappen's teammate Sergio Perez who had won the Saudi Arabian GP finished fifth. He had qualified last owing to brake issues.