British press react: 'Successful title defences don't start with two DNFs'

In Australia, Charles Leclerc secured his second win of the 2022 Formula 1 season. With his teammate Carlos Sainz and Max Verstappen picking up zero points, the man from Monaco has gained a big advantage in the World Championship after just three races. Despite all of Mercedes woes, Leclerc's nearest competition in the Championship in terms of points is British driver George Russell. This is how the British papers reacted to the Grand Prix in Melbourne. 

BBC Sport

BBC sport explain how Leclerc now has a good buffer as he heads to the first of Ferrari's home races. "Charles Leclerc took a dominant victory in the Australian Grand Prix to move into a commanding position in the World Championship. Verstappen is 46 points - almost two clear wins - behind Leclerc after just three races of the season, in two of which the Red Bull has failed to finish," BBC reported. 

The Guardian 

"Imperious, untouchable, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc took victory at the Australian Grand Prix with an almost carefree serenity. Ferrari have delivered the car and Leclerc demonstrated definitively in Melbourne the sure touch of a champion-in-waiting," the British medium waxed lyrical on Monday. It was in stark contrast to the dark atmosphere at Red Bull Racing after Verstappen's second retirement, the British website reported.

DailyMail 

The DailyMail described Verstappen's race as a "disaster" but reminded the F1 fans that Leclerc did come under some pressure from the Dutchman. Leclerc, who led every lap of the 58 after maintaining his composure under the only close scrutiny he came under, from Verstappen, after the withdrawal of the race's second safety car resulted in the two men going wheel-to-wheel into the first corner. It was Leclerc's second win of the season and by a margin of 20 seconds. Brit Lando Norris took fifth place for McLaren, having started fourth," the report said. 

The Mirror

After a successful battle against Lewis Hamilton in 2021, The Mirror highlights how Verstappen is already on the backfoot in his title defence. "Not many successful title defences start with two DNFs in the first three races of a season. Max Verstappen will harbour hopes of bucking that trend, but already has a significant deficit to make up. Verstappen never looked likely to catch Leclerc at either of the two races that the Ferrari star has won already this season, so he would most likely have still been behind. But the gap is much larger than it might have been because of the unreliability of his Red Bull," the report explained.