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F1 Australian Grand Prix: Charles Leclerc wins as Max Verstappen fails to finish

Charles Leclerc wins the Australian Grand Prix for Ferrari. (Getty Images: Mark Thompson)

Charles Leclerc has now won two races out of three and taken an early championship lead with victory in the Australian Grand Prix.

The Ferrari driver converted his pole position into a dominant win, with Sergio Perez second and George Russell third. 

World champion Max Verstappen failed to finish for the second time this year, retiring with engine failure.

Australian Daniel Ricciardo scored his first points in 2022, finishing sixth.

It was a wild Australian Grand Prix with two safety cars and a virtual safety car deployed on Sunday afternoon. 

With chaos around him, Leclerc never looked bothered at the front of the field. 

The Ferrari driver was gushing about his car and his team after taking his second win of the year — the fourth of his career.

"Honestly, what a car today," he said. 

It was not a perfect day for Ferrari, with Carlos Sainz spinning out on the second lap of the race. 

McLaren had its best race of the year, with Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo finishing fifth and sixth. 

It is Ricciardo's first points this season after a difficult start in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

Ricciardo said he was happy with sixth and the progress of the team.

"Satisfied enough. It's by far the best result of the season," he said to Sky Sports F1. 

"A fifth and a sixth is a massive result for us.

"If you had of said this in Bahrain, I would have laughed sarcastically.

"There's still things I can get better at." 

Verstappen laments 'frustrating and unacceptable' failures

Max Verstappen's world championship defence has taken another hit, with his second retirement in the opening three races of the season.

Like the first race in Bahrain, Verstappen was in second when his Red Bull failed.

It was unclear what the issue was, with team boss Christian Horner suggesting it could be a fuel issue.

Verstappen told the UK's Sky Sports F1 that he is no longer thinking about defending his title.

"We are already miles behind so I don't even want to think about the championship fight at the moment. I think it is more important to finish races," he said.

Verstappen has just 25 points after three races, while championship leader Leclerc has 71.

Catch up on all the action from the F1 Australian Grand Prix on our blog. 

Key events

Live updates

By Michael Doyle

That is all for the blog today

Well, that was fun. 

A massive thanks to everyone who joined us on the blog for the Australian Grand Prix. 

You can always stay up to date with the latest in F1 and sports online at ABC Sport, or on the ABC News app.

Until next time, good night everyone. 

By Michael Doyle

By Michael Doyle

The moment Charles Leclerc took the fourth win of his career 

By Michael Doyle

Red Bull boss Christian Horner says he believes Verstappen may have had a fuel issue, not an engine issue

By Michael Doyle

The thoughts of Max Verstappen to UK's Sky Sports F1

We are already miles behind so I don't even want to think about the championship fight at the moment. I think it is more important to finish races.

Today in general was a bad day. Not really having the pace. 

It's really frustrating and unacceptable. 

It was always going to be a question mark of finishing the race. 

By Michael Doyle

Are Ferrari back? I hope so

It has been a great start to the season for Charles Leclerc and Ferrari. 

You get the feeling we will see that red car at the front a lot this year.

By Michael Doyle

By Michael Doyle

Key Event

Here are the top 10 of the Australian Grand Prix

  1. 1.Charles Leclerc — Ferrari
  2. 2.Sergio Perez — Red Bull
  3. 3.George Russell — Mercedes 
  4. 4.Lewis Hamilton — Mercedes 
  5. 5.Lando Norris — McLaren
  6. 6.Daniel Ricciardo — McLaren
  7. 7.Esteban Ocon — Alpine
  8. 8.Valtteri Bottas — Alfa Romeo
  9. 9.Pierre Gasly — AlphaTauri
  10. 10.Alex Albon — Williams

By Michael Doyle

Key Event

Charles Leclerc on his Ferrari 

Honestly what a car today. 

Obviously, I did a good job all weekend but it was not possible without the car. 

Incredible to win here.

Obviously, we are only at the third race, so it is difficult to think about the championship. 

But we have a very strong car, a very reliable car. 

It is great to be back in this position.

By Michael Doyle

George Russell on his podium

We've got to keep on fighting. 

This weekend we were a long way behind our rivals but here we are on the podium. 

By Michael Doyle

We are about to hear from the drivers. First George Russell

By Michael Doyle

By Michael Doyle

Key Event

Daniel Ricciardo has his first points of the year, finishes sixth

By Michael Doyle

Key Event

Charles Leclerc wins the Australian Grand Prix

By Michael Doyle

The final lap has started: Just need 14 good corners, Charles

By Michael Doyle

Lap 56: Russell extends his lead over teammate Hamilton for third place

By Michael Doyle

Five laps to go: Leclerc leads by over 20 seconds. Battle for third heating up

By Michael Doyle

Lap 51: Scary moment for Sergio

Perez nearly put his Red Bull off the track on the penultimate corner. 

He remains second but his gap to third is three seconds. 

By Michael Doyle

Less than 10 laps to go

Perez looks comfortable in third. 

The battle for third could be spicy between the Mercedes drivers.

By Michael Doyle

Lap 47: Charles Leclerc leads by 13 seconds

The Ferrari driver is having a very good afternoon. 

Sergio Perez is second.

The Mercedes of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton are nearby in fourth and fifth. 

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