Verstappen still leads Championship after retiring in Australian GP

Max Verstappen may have retired due to a brake problem in the Australian Grand Prix, but he still leads the Formula 1 standings. Despite a missed race due to acute appendicitis, Carlos Sainz climbs all at once to P4 in the championship due to an impressive win.

In Verstappen's absence, Sainz recorded a resounding victory for Ferrari. The Spaniard, who will have to make way for Lewis Hamilton next year, had a killer pace that not even teammate Charles Leclerc could match. Leclerc finished second, followed by McLaren driver Lando Norris. Both Verstappen and Hamilton dropped out early on due to technical problems, while George Russell crashed hard on the last lap.

Despite his retirement, Verstappen still leads the standings. This is mainly because Sergio Perez did not get beyond fifth place in the Formula 1 race. The Mexican lost his second place in the championship to Leclerc, who finished second in the race. Both drivers see Sainz approaching, who despite a missed race due to his appendicitis in Saudi Arabia, is now fourth in the championship with 40 points.

1 Max Verstappen - 51 points

2 Charles Leclerc - 47 points

3 Sergio Perez - 46 points

4 Carlos Sainz - 40 points

5 Oscar Piastri - 28 points

6 Lando Norris - 27 points

7 Fernando Alonso - 20 points

8 George Russell - 18 points

9 Lewis Hamilton - 8 points

10 Lance Stroll - 7 points

11 Oliver Bearman - 6 points

12 Yuki Tsunoda - 4 points

13 Nico Hulkenberg 3 points

14 Kevin Magnussen - 1 point