2023 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix highlights

Max Verstappen followed the safety car home at the end of a dramatic 2023 FIA Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix to win his second race of the World Championship season as Oracle Red Bull Racing teammate Sergio Pérez fought brilliantly up from last on the grid to finish in fifth place.

The race was turned on its head with a red flag on lap nine, with Dutchman Verstappen overtaking Lewis Hamilton for the lead on lap 12 as Mexican Pérez moved into the points on lap 23, Verstappen building up a big lead before a red flag with just a few laps left led to chaos.

Multiple cars went off at the ensuing restart leading to a final safety car finish where Verstappen took the chequered flag while Pérez banked points and the fastest lap to lie 15 points behind in the title race.

Max Verstappen, Driver, Red Bull Racing

My start today wasn’t amazing, and then on lap 1, I was very careful as there was a lot on the line. I had a lot to lose and a lot to win. But after that restart, we had a good pace and a decent gap for most of the race. Perhaps we didn’t need all of those red flags today, it was frustrating, but everyone was safe, and we won, which is the most important thing. It’s my first win in Australia, which feels really good. It’s also been a while for the Team, so it means a lot to us all, especially as Checo also had a good recovery drive today. It’s been a chaotic day, but it’s great that the fans had a great time despite the long wait!

Sergio Pérez, Driver, Red Bull Racing:

Generally, it was a good result today. Yesterday, I lost confidence in the car, but we made many changes overnight, which helped us head into the race. I had a really good restart the first time, I jumped 3 or 4 places, but then it was a bit of a mess with the DRS train. I was frustrated later in the race because I couldn’t advance any further, but it was so difficult to get through the field with tyre deg low and everyone going on to the hard tyres quickly. Maybe if I’d been a bit more aggressive earlier, I could’ve finished higher, but I’m happy we finished P5 and even managed to secure the fastest lap. Overall, this race gives us confidence in heading to Baku in a few weeks, and we look forward to the challenge it brings.

CHRISTIAN HORNER – CEO and Team Principal, Red Bull Racing

It was a complicated race made up of three parts. The first start didn’t go our way, but in the restart, Max could hold position, battle Lewis for the lead and control the race from there. While the marshals always act in the interest of safety, and driver safety is paramount, the restart at the end of the race was a little frustrating. Thankfully, it didn’t cost us anything, we had a great pace with the car, and Max was in great form. For Max to claim the victory was a testament to his driving, but equally, credit must go to the Team both here and at home, all of whom worked together to deliver a great race. Checo also drove phenomenally well, bringing home the fastest lap and securing P5. It was a great recovery, from the back of the grid, in the pits, on a track where it is very difficult to overtake. Overall, we are very happy with our performance and thrilled to bring home a win on our 350th race at a track we haven’t won in 10 years.

Red Bull Racing Honda best pictures:

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 30: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing wears a blonde wig in the Paddock during previews ahead of the 2023 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit on March 30, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 30: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing, Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Oracle Red Bull Racing, and Sergio Perez of Mexico and Oracle Red Bull Racing pose for a photo during previews ahead of the 2023 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit on March 30, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 30: Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Oracle Red Bull Racing looks on in the Paddock during previews ahead of the 2023 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit on March 30, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 31: Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner looks on in the Team Principals Press Conference during practice ahead of the 2023 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit on March 31, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 02: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing and Sergio Perez of Mexico and Oracle Red Bull Racing look on in the Paddock prior to the 2023 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit on April 02, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 02: <> during the 2023 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit on April 02, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 02: Race winner Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing celebrates with Rob Marshall, the Chief Engineering Officer of Red Bull Racing, on the podium during the 2023 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit on April 02, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 02: <> during the 2023 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit on April 02, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

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