George Russell has walked away unhurt after smashing his Mercedes in a huge crash on the last lap of the Australian Grand Prix. Verstappen’s bid to win a 10th straight race for the second time in less than 12 months ended after he suffered a car fire early in Sunday’s race. After cantering to wins in the opening two races of the season, Verstappen was a red hot favourite to go back-to-back after winning at Albert Park for the first time last year. Sainz was the last driver, in Singapore last September, other than Verstappen to win a F1 race. Victory at Albert Park would have taken Verstappen level with his own record, set with his 10 straight wins from Miami to Monza last year. The Dutchman had also converted his last 18 poles into a race win.

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