Verstappen wins Australian GP as chaotic F1 race finishes under safety car

Three red flag stoppages fail to disrupt flying Dutchman

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc of Monaco leaves the track during in the first lap during the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park in Melbourne

Max Verstappen won the Australian Grand Prix with an absolutely commanding run as he enjoyed a huge pace advantage in Melbourne. The Red Bull driver came back after dropping places at the start but was then untroubled at the front of the field, albeit in a race that was dragged out to over two and half hours with three red-flag stoppages.

Verstappen comfortably beat the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton into second and the Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso into third, with his teammate Lance Stroll in fourth at Albert Park. The Australian Oscar Piastri scored his first F1 points in his debut home grand prix, finishing in eighth place.