Charles Leclerc won the Australian Grand Prix this morning after securing pole position on Saturday at the Albert Park Circuit.
Today’s win sees the 24-year-old extend his lead in the championship standings after crossing the line 20s ahead of the pack, in an incredibly strong F1-75.
Joining him on the podium was the Red Bull of Sergio Perez, whose teammate Max Verstappen retired from the race on lap 39 with technical issues.
Taking the final step on the podium was the Mercedes of George Russell – marking the first win of the season for the British driver.
Speaking after the race, the Monegasque driver told Sky Sports: “It’s the first one where we’ve controlled the gap and what a car today. Of course, I did a good job all weekend, but it’s not possible without the car.
“Especially this weekend with the race pace, we were extremely strong.
“Obviously we are only at the third race, so it is difficult to think about the championship. But we’ve got a very strong car, a very reliable car too and for now we’ve always been there.
“I hope it continues like this and if it does then we probably have chances for the championship, which makes me smile.”
Speaking about taking second place down under, Perez then said: “Yeah that was a bit tricky getting my position, Lewis overtook me, he broke really late and had a really good turn one.
“Then after that it was about getting him then the virtual safety car.
“There was a lot of degradation (on the medium tyres) and then it was better on the hard but we got unlucky with the safety car.
“It was a good result but unfortunately we lost Max, it would have been great to have a double podium on the team.
“But looking forward now, we have been unlucky in the first few races.”
Mercedes man, George Russell then told Mark Weber: “We’ve got to be in it to win it and capitalise from others’ misfortune.
“We got a bit lucky twice, but we’ll take it and there is so much work going on to try to get us back to the front.
“To be standing on the podium is special.”
