WATCH: Australian GP fans cheer and celebrate Max Verstappen’s early race DNF

Max Verstappen had an outing to forget during the 2024 Australian GP.

WATCH: Australian GP fans cheer and celebrate Max Verstappen’s early race DNF

Max Verstappen (Via: Imago, X/Sumi, screenshot)

Max Verstappen was the favorite to secure the victory at the Australian GP. However, the Dutchman’s race came to a halt when his rear-right brake caught fire and his race ended quickly. Soon after this, a video surfaced on social media, in which fans were seen cheering and celebrating the Red Bull driver’s retirement.

Max Verstappen was on a roll before traversing around Albert Park, as he was on a 43-race finish streak. However, this streak ended this weekend in Australia like his last retirement in 2022 in the same continent.

YouTube video

Fans across the grandstand were seen celebrating Verstappen’s DNF, presumably due to the sheer domination and lack of different winners in F1.

FS Video

The Dutchman could be seen limping back into the pits as the fans burst into happiness. Moreover, a roar of celebration could be heard when the reigning champion retired his car throwing the race into a frenzy. Subsequently, the fans were treated to an entertaining race win by Carlos Sainz, who after two tough weeks, was able to step onto the top step of the podium.

Max Verstappen sheds light on moment he lost out on the Australian GP

Verstappen was on course to claim another victory and match his marvelous 10-win race streak. However, fate was not in favor of the Dutchman in Melbourne and he had to settle for a DNF out of all the possibilities.

Max Verstappen (via IMAGO), Max Verstappen suffering from a Brake Failure in his Red Bull RB20(via F1).
Max Verstappen (via IMAGO), Max Verstappen suffering from a Brake Failure (via F1).

The 26-year-old was asked about what was the core problem holding back his RB20.

It just caused the damage and it kept on increasing so it was also basically driving with the handbrake on. That’s why the car felt really weird to drive in some corners, just very snappy, while the laps to the grid the car was really spot on and I was happy with what we were doing. But if a brake is stuck on it doesn’t help.
Max Verstappen said in an interview with F1

The reigning world champion elucidated that the moment the lights went out, the rear-right brake on his RB20 was stuck on and griding against the disk. This hampered him and heated his rear brakes to sky-high temperatures, causing a fire to break out in the following laps.

Despite the setback, Verstappen understood that mechanical failures are a part of the sport. Moreover, no one is invincible from such issues. Next up on the F1 carnival is the famous Japanese Grand Prix. Verstappen triumphed in the event last year.

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