F1 2023 Australian Grand Prix | Post Race Press Conference
Verstappen takes first-ever Australian GP win amid huge drama in Melbourne.
Max Verstappen claimed victory during a wild and action-packed Australian Grand Prix, overcoming battles with the Mercedes drivers, several Safety Cars and three red flags to lead home Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso.
Verstappen lost out to both George Russell and Hamilton at the original race start, before the Safety Car made two appearances in quick succession due to Charles Leclerc retiring from a collision with Lance Stroll and Alex Albon crashing out heavily.
Hamilton hails ‘amazing’ Melbourne podium as he says Mercedes closing gap to Red Bull will be ‘tough but not impossible’
Lewis Hamilton reflected on a “crazy” Australian Grand Prix after scoring the first podium of the season for himself and Mercedes, saying it was “amazing” to be in the fight towards the front of the field.
Hamilton took second in a hugely dramatic encounter at Albert Park, punctuated by several Safety Cars and red flags, as he followed home Max Verstappen’s Red Bull and kept Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin at bay.
Despite the collective Mercedes disappointment of team mate George Russell retiring from the race due to an apparent engine failure, Hamilton cut an upbeat figure after the race as he assessed the impact of their breakthrough result.
“I’ve got to say a huge thank you to everyone here in Australia and in Melbourne. I’ve had the best week here this week. The weather has been amazing today and this track or this town just continues to put on a great show,” Hamilton said.
“[It was] really unlucky for George. From our side, we’ve got to look into it, our reliability has generally been very good. Otherwise, to get those points is really amazing today. I definitely didn’t expect to be second, so I’m super grateful for it.”
Asked how he was feeling in the W14 as the season develops, he continued: “I still feel uncomfortable in the car, though, the car is still not… I don’t feel connected to it, so I’m driving as best I can with that disconnect.
Fernando Alonso took the final place in an all-world champion top three in Melbourne, with the Spaniard taking the chequered flag in third place at Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix, a race he described as “a rollercoaster of emotions”.
Alonso lost out on Lap 1 to compatriot Carlos Sainz after starting in fourth, but gained an advantage when a Safety Car brought out for Alex Albon's crash turned into a red flag, Sainz and leader George Russell having pitted before the stoppage to promote Alonso up to third.
📌 Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, Australia
#F1 #AustralianGP #MaxVerstappen #LewisHamilton #FernandoAlonso #F1PressConference
Verstappen takes first-ever Australian GP win amid huge drama in Melbourne.
Max Verstappen claimed victory during a wild and action-packed Australian Grand Prix, overcoming battles with the Mercedes drivers, several Safety Cars and three red flags to lead home Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso.
Verstappen lost out to both George Russell and Hamilton at the original race start, before the Safety Car made two appearances in quick succession due to Charles Leclerc retiring from a collision with Lance Stroll and Alex Albon crashing out heavily.
Hamilton hails ‘amazing’ Melbourne podium as he says Mercedes closing gap to Red Bull will be ‘tough but not impossible’
Lewis Hamilton reflected on a “crazy” Australian Grand Prix after scoring the first podium of the season for himself and Mercedes, saying it was “amazing” to be in the fight towards the front of the field.
Hamilton took second in a hugely dramatic encounter at Albert Park, punctuated by several Safety Cars and red flags, as he followed home Max Verstappen’s Red Bull and kept Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin at bay.
Despite the collective Mercedes disappointment of team mate George Russell retiring from the race due to an apparent engine failure, Hamilton cut an upbeat figure after the race as he assessed the impact of their breakthrough result.
“I’ve got to say a huge thank you to everyone here in Australia and in Melbourne. I’ve had the best week here this week. The weather has been amazing today and this track or this town just continues to put on a great show,” Hamilton said.
“[It was] really unlucky for George. From our side, we’ve got to look into it, our reliability has generally been very good. Otherwise, to get those points is really amazing today. I definitely didn’t expect to be second, so I’m super grateful for it.”
Asked how he was feeling in the W14 as the season develops, he continued: “I still feel uncomfortable in the car, though, the car is still not… I don’t feel connected to it, so I’m driving as best I can with that disconnect.
Fernando Alonso took the final place in an all-world champion top three in Melbourne, with the Spaniard taking the chequered flag in third place at Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix, a race he described as “a rollercoaster of emotions”.
Alonso lost out on Lap 1 to compatriot Carlos Sainz after starting in fourth, but gained an advantage when a Safety Car brought out for Alex Albon's crash turned into a red flag, Sainz and leader George Russell having pitted before the stoppage to promote Alonso up to third.
📌 Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, Australia
#F1 #AustralianGP #MaxVerstappen #LewisHamilton #FernandoAlonso #F1PressConference