Max Verstappen Out Of 2024 Australian Grand Prix

After finishing 43 matches in a row, Max Verstappen was forced to retire his Red Bull at the 2024 Australian Grand Prix.

Since the 2022 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the Dutch driver always finished a race, but that changed at the Albert Park Circuit when he was forced to retire his car on Lap 5 of 58.

The three-time World Champion started the race from the pole position, with Ferrari's Carlos Sainz right behind him. For a while, Verstappen managed to stay first, but the Spanish driver was pushing from behind.

It wasn't too long before Sainz was able to surprisingly overtake Verstappen, who led for the vast majority of the laps in 2024. Yet, only seconds later, it became apparent that the Dutchman had a problem with his car.

Smoke started coming from his car, and it was clear that his Red Bull had an issue, even though it was not clear whether the smoke was coming out of his engine or his tire.

Immediately, the driver with number 1 on his car went to see his mechanics in a hope to fix the issue and continue the race.

However, even after trying to extinguish the fire and make the two-time Grand Prix winner in 2024 continue the race, it was soon clear that Verstappen will have to retire his car.

The Dutchman jumped out of his car maybe even before it was clear that he wouldn't be able to continue. It marked his first retirement in 42 races, as he finished every single race since the 2022 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, and on top of that, he was on a nine-race winning streak ahead of the Grand Prix at the Albert Park Circuit.

In his absence, Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc in Ferraris as well as his teammate Sergio Perez will get a chance to win.