Carlos Sainz secures victory at the Australian F1 Grand Prix, contributing to a one-two finish for Ferrari.

tháng 3 25, 2024

Carlos Sainz secures victory at the Australian F1 Grand Prix, contributing to a one-two finish for Ferrari.

Just nine days ago, Carlos Sainz found himself confined to his bed, still recovering from his recent appendectomy. At that moment, he had no expectation of even participating in the Australian Grand Prix. However, on Sunday afternoon in Melbourne, there he was, greeted by an enthusiastic crowd as he emerged from his car after a victory that was as unexpected as it was courageous.

This achievement holds special significance for Sainz, who defied the odds by returning to the track after surgery and played a pivotal role in securing Ferrari's first one-two finish since 2022. This victory also marked the end of world champion Max Verstappen's dominant winning streak. However, despite this remarkable feat, Sainz's future in Formula One remains uncertain, as he has yet to secure a drive for the upcoming season.

Before the season commenced, the 29-year-old received a significant blow when Ferrari announced their decision to replace him with Lewis Hamilton for the 2025 season. Despite this disheartening news, he showed resilience by securing a podium finish at the season opener in Bahrain. However, his luck took a turn for the worse when he was forced to withdraw from the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix two weeks ago due to appendicitis.

Following the subsequent operation, he spent seven days in bed, and it wasn't until the Friday of the Australian Grand Prix that he and Ferrari felt confident in his ability to race. His preparation for the race couldn't have been more challenging. Still far from fully recovered, he had lost several kilograms of weight, was unable to complete his usual fitness and simulator work before the race, and admitted that dealing with the intense G-forces at Albert Park after the operation posed a unique challenge.

Despite these obstacles, he maintained a surprising level of composure after qualifying on Saturday, acknowledging the unusual sensations his body was experiencing. He remarked that "everything on the inside just feels like it’s moving more than normal," a sensation that could induce discomfort even while sitting down with a cup of tea, let alone hurtling around one of the most demanding circuits on the calendar.

However, despite the challenges, he found himself not only on the starting grid but also as the driver closest to Verstappen, securing the second position behind him. Verstappen quickly pulled away at the start, indicating the likelihood of another 58 laps dominated by the Dutchman. Yet, fate intervened, finally giving Sainz a stroke of luck.

With Verstappen encountering issues with a stuck brake, Sainz capitalized and swiftly overtook him before smoke began billowing from the world champion's right rear tire. Verstappen's unstoppable streak, spanning nine races, came to an abrupt end as his brake exploded while he limped into the pit lane, with smoke, dust, and flames erupting sideways—a scene mirroring the frustration displayed by the Dutchman upon exiting his car. This early exit marked the end of Verstappen's race after just four laps and also signaled the end of Red Bull's streak of mechanical reliability, which had been unbroken since Bahrain in 2022.

Sainz seized the opportunity and executed a flawless, controlled drive, likely being mindful of his stitches. Negotiating a circuit known for being tough on tires, he managed his rubber with the finesse of a skilled trout tickler. Upon crossing the finish line, he celebrated with his customary rendition of "smooth operator," a well-deserved accolade. Reflecting on his physical condition, he remarked, "Spending seven days in bed is not conducive to physical fitness and muscle health for an athlete."

To expedite his recovery, Sainz employed various methods, including twice-daily sessions in hyperbaric chambers and the use of an Indiba device, which utilizes electrical charges to accelerate tissue healing. He adhered to a strict diet and exercise regimen, carefully monitoring his progress and capabilities.

All the efforts paid dividends. "When I was about to board the flight to Australia, I was still bedridden," he recalled. "I could barely engage my abdominal muscles to move, and I thought, 'This isn't going to work.' But I boarded the flight, and upon landing, I felt significantly better. With each passing day, I made significant progress."

Indeed, the progress was remarkable. Once on the track and in the lead, he proved untouchable, comfortably crossing the finish line ahead of his teammate Charles Leclerc in second and McLaren's Lando Norris in third.

Upon emerging from the cockpit, he appeared understandably physically drained but was lifted by the moment, rushing into the arms of his Ferrari teammates. With Sainz behind the wheel, Ferrari ended Red Bull's dominance once again. Sainz, who thwarted their potential clean sweep last season with a victory in Singapore, remains the only driver to have defeated Red Bull since the Brazilian GP in November 2022. Verstappen may now view him as somewhat of a disruptive force, especially as investigations began into the smoking remnants of his rear wheel.

Sainz is certainly making a strong case for a competitive seat next season, especially after a standout performance and a car that Hamilton may envy, considering the seven-time champion endured yet another dismal weekend in an underperforming Mercedes. Hamilton correctly described it as his worst start to a season after retiring with an engine failure on lap 17.

The victory wouldn't have escaped the attention of Verstappen's teammate, Sergio Pérez, who occupies a seat at Red Bull—a seat that Sainz would eagerly seize. Pérez, driving the fastest car on the grid, was convincingly outraced by both Ferraris and both McLarens, without the added challenge of recovering from recent surgery.

Despite Verstappen's two wins securing him the world championship lead, holding a four-point advantage over Leclerc, he anticipates reclaiming the top spot in the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix. However, for the moment, Formula 1 can relish in demonstrating that it's difficult to suppress a talented driver. "Life is unpredictable," remarked a smiling Sainz. "From the beginning of the year with the podium in Bahrain, then the appendix surgery, the comeback, the victory—it's been a rollercoaster ride, but I love it."

George Russell's race ended in disappointment as he lost control of his car, crashing into the wall after encountering Fernando Alonso, who seemed to slow down at turns six and seven on the final lap. Subsequently, Alonso received a drive-through penalty, which was converted to a 20-second time penalty for "potentially dangerous driving," dropping him from sixth to eighth.

Oscar Piastri secured fourth place for McLaren, while Lance Stroll finished sixth for Aston Martin. Yuki Tsunoda claimed seventh for Red Bull, with Nico Hülkenberg and Kevin Magnussen finishing ninth and tenth for Haas, respectively. Daniel Ricciardo endured a forgettable home race, managing only a 12th-place finish.

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