Formula One championship leader Max Verstappen has been forced to retire from the Australian Grand Prix after having his right rear catch fire.
The Red Bull star’s 43-race finishing streak came to an end on the fifth lap at Albert Park on Sunday as he headed for the pits after starting from poll.
The issue appeared to be a problem with his brakes, which “melted” the right rear tyre.
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“The right rear’s on fire; the right rear break is on fire,” Ted Kravitz said on commentary.
“It’s completely melted the tyre, and I don’t know if this is an engine issue.
“It’s made an absolute mess of the right rear corner.
“Whatever (the case), it’s the end of Max Verstappen’s Australian Grand Prix, but I’m not sure if it’s an engine issue.”
The last time Verstappen failed to finish a race was in Melbourne two years ago.
Martin Brundle clarified that it was not an reaffirmed that it was not an engine issue at all, as was first thought when smoke started coming from Verstappen’s car.
Carlos Sainz passes Max Verstappen soon before Verstappen’s Australian GP withdrawal due to a fire. Credit: AAP
“It’s the biscuit tin on the right rear brake drum,” Brundle said.
“So, quite clearly, his rear brakes have overheated and caught fire.”
Speaking after he exited the race, Verstappen said he noticed from the very start that the right rear brake was “stuck on”.
“It was basically (like) driving with a handbrake one,” he said.
It means the three-time defending champion’s bid for a record-equalling 10th straight race win has ended.
After cantering to wins in the opening two races of the season, Verstappen was a red hot favourite to go back-to-back after winning at Albert Park for the first time last year.
Verstappen started on pole but Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz overtook him on the second lap of Sunday’s race.
The 26-year-old then began complaining on team radio about “losing the car”.
Soon afterwards, smoke appeared at the rear of Verstappen’s car and he was forced into the pits, with no hope of a return.
It continues a mixed relationship with Albert Park for Verstappen, who was forced to retire in the 2022 edition.
Verstappen had won nine straight races, dating back to the Japanese Grand Prix last September.
Victory at Albert Park would have taken him level with his own record, set with his 10 straight wins from Miami to Monza last year.
Verstappen won 19 races last season — the most in F1 history — on his way to a third straight title to completely dominate the rest of the field.
– With AAP
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