Staff Reporter.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc retired on the first lap of the Formula One Australian Grand Prix on Sunday after qualifying seventh.
Leclerc and Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll made contact on turn 1 of the Albert Park course, with race officials determining no further action would be required.
“That’s it, Lance touched my rear right wheel,” said Leclerc on the team radio.
Leclerc won last year’s race at the Melbourne circuit.
Geroge Russel got a great launch off the line and took the inside route into the first corner, squeezing the Red Bull and forcing him to pull out. So the Brit had the lead, and his compatriot Lewis Hamilton was all over Verstappen as well.
The seven-time world champion was soon wheel-to-wheel with Verstappen and they made contact – much to the Dutchman’s annoyance. As Hamilton moved past, the Red Bull star was quickly onto the radio to accuse his rival of forcing him off track.
The safety car period did not last long and soon Verstappen was all over the back of Hamilton. But Russell was also feeling the pressure from the Brit, as the race leader shouted over the radio: “You’re asking me to manage and I’m being attacked by my own team-mate!”