- The world champion had started from pole
- He was surpassed by Carlos Sainz of Ferrari
- Smoke began to come out of the back of his Red Bull.
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Reigning world champion Max Verstappen was forced to withdraw from the Australian Grand Prix after the right rear of his car caught fire early in the race.
The Dutchman complained that the car felt “loose” when Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz overtook him two laps of the race.
On lap five an increasing amount of smoke could be seen coming out of the back of his Red Bull as he lost pace and began to fall back into the field.
Verstappen (center) is seen exiting his Red Bull after the pit crew battled flames coming from the right rear brake.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz passed the world champion on the second lap, just before Verstappen told his team the car was “loose” and then added: “fire, fire!” while the flames licked the back
He was able to get the car to the pits, but at that point flames were emerging from the right rear wheel brake, forcing the team’s mechanics to use fire extinguishers.
Verstappen exited the car once the race was over and was seen shortly after changing into his racing gear.
“I just lost the car, really strange,” he said at the first sign of a problem when he was overtaken by Sainz.
He then told the team: ‘I’ve got smoke, blue smoke, fire, fire!’ on lap five as he slowly made his way to the pit lane.
Lewis Hamilton was also forced to retire on lap 17.
MORE TO COME…