The Dutchman started the race in pole position and enjoyed a strong launch, seeing off the threat of Carlos Sainz from the race start to lead into turn one.
However, on just the second lap of the race, Sainz managed to find a way past the Dutchman with the help of DRS, passing around the outside on the run down to turn nine.
Verstappen’s afternoon then went from bad to worse as smoke began to appear from the back of the RB20. The reigning world champion was then forced to back off as it became clear that his power unit had suffered a critical failure.
This DNF was Verstappen’s first since the 2022 season and ended his hopes of matching his own record of 10 consecutive Grand Prix victories.
The 26-year-old dominated the opening two races of the year, carrying over his form from the back-end of 2023 by leading home consecutive one-two finishes for Red Bull. However, that run ended in Melbourne with this mechanical DNF.
Verstappen’s DNF left Sainz with a sensational shot at victory, just two weeks after going under the knife for appendicitis surgery at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
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