Sainz reacts after victory in Australia: 'Pity, but he already has plenty'

Carlos Sainz claimed victory in the Australian Grand Prix. The Ferrari driver took full advantage of Max Verstappen s retirement, keeping teammate Charles Leclerc behind. For the Italian team, it meant a one-two finish. Sainz is over the moon with his first win of 2024.

'Life is a rollercoaster,' Sainz said over his radio, after receiving his team's congratulations. Overjoyed, the Spaniard stepped out of his SF24 shortly afterwards to celebrate with his team.

"It was a very good race. I felt very good, although I'm a bit stiff," Sainz told Guenther Steiner in the interview ahead of the podium ceremony about the fact that he underwent surgery on his appendix just a fortnight ago, then also joking:"I advise everyone to have it removed."

Sainz on victory in Melbourne

Speaking on the race at Melbourne Park further: "I was able to drive my own pace very well and manage things. I am very happy, I am very proud of the team. The one-two shows that the hard work is paying off."

Sainz overtook Verstappen on the second lap and after that, it was mainly a matter of staying focused and not making any mistakes. "I was able to keep up with him [Max] well and DRS is very powerful here. He lost some momentum at turn three and then I saw my chance. When he was behind me, he had problems with his brakes and then that was it for me. A bit of a shame because I think it could have been a nice fight for P1, but I'm happy with the win. He already has plenty of them."

Sainz is now fourth in the World Drivers' Championship. His gap to leader Verstappen is 11 points after three races. Ferrari is now within four points of Red Bull Racing in the constructors' championship.