Ferrari takes one-two in dramatic 2024 Australian Grand Prix, Piastri misses out on podium

Ferrari has taken a one-two finish at the 2024 Australian Grand Prix, with Australian driver Oscar Piastri just missing out on a podium to his McLaren teammate, Lando Norris.

Reigning world champion Max Verstappen was forced to retire in the opening laps of the Grand Prix, with smoke and fire billowing from the rear right wheel of his Red Bull.

Prior to the unexpected retirement, Verstappen had complained of the car feeling “loose” after being overtaken by Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, who took the lead early and held onto it for the rest of the race. Sainz had just returned to the paddock after taking time off due to appendicitis.

By lap 17, Lewis Hamilton experienced an engine failure, also forcing the former world champion to retire from the race. The following lap saw Sainz and Leclerc from Ferrari take first and second positions, and Australia’s Oscar Piastri sitting in third position with his teammate at McLaren, Lando Norris, close behind in fourth.

Halfway through the race, McLaren team orders forced Piastri to swap with Norris, denying the Aussie a podium at his home race – which would have been the first top-three finish for a local at an Australian Grand Prix in F1 history.

However, after Leclerc took a pit stop, Piastri was returned to third place, up until he was forced to pit – after locking up his tyres when braking late into a corner – pushing him down to fifth, the same position where he had started the race.

The other Australian, Daniel Ricciardo, had fought his way up from 18th position at the start of the race to 12th, while fan favourite Valteri Bottas suffered from a slow pit stop early on and ended in 14th.

A dramatic crash from George Russell on the last lap forced a virtual safety car, locking the result and ensuring no overtaking at the very end.

Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz took the win, his teammate Charles Leclerc in second, and McLaren’s Lando Norris in third – with local favourite Oscar Piastri just missing out on a podium finish.

As has become tradition when the Italian team wins a local F1 race, thousands are expected to descend on Lygon Street in Carlton tonight to celebrate everything Ferrari.

It was the most attendees on any Sunday of an Australian Grand Prix, with 132,106 turning up to see the race. In total, 452,055 people came through the turnstiles over the four-day event – making a new record.