Windsor: 'Verstappen's DNF helped Sainz win in Melbourne'

Formula 1 analyst Peter Windsor explains that Max Verstappen's DNF was a big element in Carlos Sainz's victory in Australia. Sainz caught up with Verstappen and shortly afterwards the Dutchman had to abandon the battle due to braking problems. Windsor also felt Ferrari was better than Red Bull in managing the tyres during the race.

First of all, Windsor's compliments went to Ferrari driver Sainz who won while still in hospital a fortnight ago. "I'm not saying that Max would have walked away with that race had he not had that brake problem. And we'll get on to that in a minute, exactly what the problem was or what we think it was. But certainly, obviously, Max not being in the race gave a completely different complexion to the way Carlos could drive it," the Brit explained in a video on his YouTube channel.

Windsor on Ferrari's tyre management

Windsor saw the reason Sainz was going so well at the Albert Park Street Circuit. "He had the free air. And in free air, if you've got an issue with the tyres potentially going to graining pretty quickly, and Ferrari were doing a better job up until that point of managing the graining than any other team, even better than Red Bull."

Carlos Sainz has still not found a constructor he will race for next season. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton will drive for Ferrari, but so far the Spaniard has no employer. Windsor previously mentioned possible interest from Red Bull, but the journalist also heard rumours that Perez had already signed his contract for the new season.