It was mayhem in Melbourne as Max Verstappen survived a wacky races shoot-out to win the Australian Grand Prix that ended under a safety car two-and-a-half hours after it had started. This would allow the chequered flag to be waved, the 58th lap having been honoured. Hamilton’s podium was his – and Mercedes’ – first of 2023. If it turned into a procession before the made ending, the first dozen laps were riveting. And in a boost for Mercedes after a depressing start to the season, they found form both in qualifying and over the 58 laps of the race. Russell, starting second, made a brilliant start, taking Verstappen on the opening corner. Verstappen, meanwhile, was without Perez, who started at the back after an accident in qualifying. When the race restarted from a standing start after a 16-minute hiatus, Russell did well to get up to fifth.

Follow MotorMouth on social media:

• 
• 
• 
•