Charles Leclerc wins Grand Chelem

The Australian Grand Prix was contested for the first time in three years, and it couldn’t have come at a better moment for Charles Leclerc.

Leclerc controlled the race, leading every lap from the pole and easily avoiding any threats during the two safety car restarts.

Leclerc became the 26th driver in F1 history to record a Grand Chelem–earning the pole, the victory, and the best lap–by posting the fastest lap of the race, and the first for Ferrari since 2010.

“It’s the first one [race] where we controlled the gap,” Leclerc told Mark Webber following the race in the parc ferme interview. “What a car today. Of course, I did a good job all weekend but it was not possible without the car. And this week, especially in the race pace, we were extremely strong. Tyres felt great from the first lap to the last lap, we were managing the tires extremely well. I’m just so happy.”

Max Verstappen withdrew from second position on lap 39 after running out of power in turn one, his second retirement of the season due to a faulty power unit.

A virtual safety car was deployed, but the safety crew was able to manoeuvre the Red Bull behind the wall before a true safety car was called. Verstappen was the only driver in the race who could keep up with Leclerc, and his withdrawal ensured the Monacan driver’s victory.

Sergio Perez came in second, 20 seconds behind Leclerc. Perez had a strong day, moving up to fourth in driver points after accumulating 17 of his season’s 30 points in Australia.

George Russell led a Mercedes-powered brigade to the podium’s third and final step, with Lewis Hamilton close behind in fourth. Lando Norris finished fifth, and home-country star Daniel Ricciardo finished sixth.

Esteban Ocon finished seventh, and Valtteri Bottas came in eighth. Pierre Gasly finished tenth despite an off-track incident.

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