By Robert Haile

Carlos Sainz returned to lead Ferrari to the top step as they scored a 1-2 in Australia as Max Verstappen does not finish.

After qualifying second in his return from appendix surgery Sainz took the first none Red Bull win of the season and continues the run of only three race winners since 2022.

Teammate Charles Leclerc moved up the grid to take second while Brit Lando Norris claimed third ahead of McLaren’ Australian Oscar Piastri.

Returning race winner Sainz said: “What a rollercoaster. I’m extremely happy.

“I felt good in the car right from lap 1 and after overtaking Max (Verstappen), when I was in free air, I started setting a strong pace that took me all the way to the finish line, bringing home the first win of the season.

“I’m also happy that George is OK after the heavy crash.

“The team deserves this one-two, we did a fantastic job all weekend, from FP1 to the last lap. We executed a perfect race, nailed the strategy and the mechanics were incredible delivering precise and quick pit stops every single time.

“Congratulations to everyone. Let’s carry this momentum to Japan! Vamos.”

Sergio Perez, the only Red Bull left after Verstappen retired, finished fifth as Yuki Tsunoda’s RB split the Aston Martin duo as Lance Stroll took sixth with Fernando Alonso in eighth after receiving a 20 second penalty for potentially dangerous driving.

Haas took a double points finish as Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen finished ninth and tenth.

Williams gamble to give Alex Albon their only car for the race after a crash in free practice damaged his chassis almost paid off as he finished just outside the points in eleventh.

Australian Daniel Ricciardo was twelfth for RB with Alpine’s Pierre Gasly thirteenth, Kick Sauber’s duo of Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu were in fourteenth and fifteenth and Esteban Ocon’s Alpine was last in sixteenth.

Three drivers not to finish as the three time champion Verstappen was joined by both Mercedes as George Russell dramatically crashed while pushing to complete a move on Alonso, that resulted in his penalty.

Lewis Hamilton was already in the garage when this accident happened after a power unit failure left him marooned on the track.

Following Williams decision to give Albon Logan Sargeant’s car the American was withdrawn from the race.

It now heads into the second of three race weekend in the East as Formula One heads to Japan and the Suzuka Circuit on April 5-7.