Sports writing (EFE).- The Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull) extended his leadership at the helm of the Formula One World Cup by winning the crazy Australian Grand Prix this Sunday, which was held -with three red flags- in the semi-circuit urban Albert Park in Melbourne and in which the Spanish Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) confirmed his great moment with a new podium, the third in the first three races of the year.
Verstappen, 25, achieved his thirty-seventh F1 victory – his second of the season – by winning ahead of Englishman Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) and Alonso, who finished third and -at 41- signed his 101st podium in the premier class.
The Asturian double world champion finished third this Sunday at Albert Park; where two interruptions in a row were decreed with three remaining to complete the 58 scheduled laps.
First, due to the accident of the Danish Kevin Magnussen (Haas); and then due to the mishaps that occurred after the second re-start, in which Sainz touched Alonso -who had lost third place to his compatriot and returned to the track eleventh- before the race management decreed that the race will restart, for the third, a single lap, behind the safety car.
Sainz was penalized with five seconds, so he not only lost fourth place, but also finished out of the points in a race in which the Mexican Sergio Pérez (Red Bull) led the great comeback, finishing fifth after starting from the ‘pit lane’.