Scuderia Ferrari has achieved its first 1-2 finish since the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2022. Spaniard Carlos Sainz won his 3rd Grand Prix victory dominantly and was followed by his teammate Charles Leclerc.
Monegasque praised the team’s effort throughout the Australian Grand Prix weekend and was full of praise for his teammate who is leaving the Italian outfit at the end of the season.
“It feels good for the team, first and second didn’t happen since Bahrain 2022 which are very good memories we have.
“Carlos [Sainz] has had an incredible weekend to come back after his surgery. He has done an amazing race,” the Ferrari driver stated.
Leclerc’s race was mostly based on encounters against McLaren’s Lando Norris in the battle for the 2nd place.
Leclerc even lost 2nd place to Norris in the first half of the race, but eventually did manage to turn the situation in his favor, once the second round of pit stops occurred.
“From my side, I struggled a little bit in the second stint compared to the first half. I didn’t manage tires very well, but then the last stint was more positive.”
Ferrari’s superstar was asked if he had an opportunity to attack Sainz’s lead during the race.
“Not really because in the first stint we had to protect from the threat behind, we stopped a bit earlier. Carlos was a fast and with my tires, I was struggling.
“It was clear to me again that Carlos has done a better job this weekend. He definitely deserves this victory.”
This was the 2nd podium in 3 races for Leclerc, who currently sits in 2nd place with 47 points in the overall standings, just 4 points shy of championship leader Max Verstappen.