Following a setback with his first retirement in Melbourne since 2022, which ended his nine-race winning streak, the Dutchman faced no mechanical issues this time around. Verstappen’s flawless performance marked his third win out of four races this season, reaffirming his prowess behind the wheel.

In a post-race reflection, Verstappen expressed his satisfaction over the team radio, saying, “That was a very lovely race; the car just kept improving.”

Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz, who had triumphed in Australia two weeks earlier, strategically used fresher tires in the latter part of the race. This enabled him to overtake his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc, who had chosen a one-stop strategy, securing the third spot on the podium.

Reflecting on the challenging race conditions, Sainz remarked, “It was tough out there.”

Lando Norris of McLaren secured fifth place, while the Mercedes duo of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton struggled, finishing seventh and ninth respectively.

The race witnessed early drama as Alex Albon’s Williams and Daniel Ricciardo’s Red Bull collided on the opening lap, leading to a red flag and a 30-minute delay. Thankfully, both drivers emerged unharmed, although the incident required debris clearance and barrier repairs.

In a moment of national pride, Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda secured the tenth position, earning points in his home grand prix for the first time, much to the delight of the enthusiastic crowd.