Red Bull’s Max Verstappen claimed his first Australian Grand Prix in a chaotic Formula One race filled with drama from the green light to the checkered flag. The race had opened with some drama as Verstappen lost the lead to Mercedes’ George Russell, who was ultimately forced to retire with an engine issue. Verstappen had then appeared to be coasting to victory with an eight-second lead when debris from Kevin Magnussen’s Haas forced the second of three red flags issued in the race with three laps remaining. On the restart, Verstappen was able to hold seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton to the first turn as bedlam unfolded behind him, sparking a massive reshuffle of the finishing order in the 58-lap race. Fernando Alonso challenged Hamilton for second position throughout much of the race but was hit by Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz on the first corner of the restart, helping Hamilton to ultimately finish second.
