The 2022 Australian GP Results: Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc wins

• Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc won the  2022 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on Sunday for the second time this season
• Max Verstappen was forced to retire again due to techanical issues while his team-mate Sergio Perez finished 2nd
• Lewis Hamilton improved as he finished 4th though he did not seem happy about the improvement

On Sunday, Charles Leclerc dominated the Australian Grand Prix to win for the second time in 2022, while world champion Max Verstappen failed to finish for the second time.

On a day when his top opponents all had problems, Leclerc led all 58 laps in Melbourne, increasing his championship lead to 34 points.

Charles Leclerc won the 2022 Australian GP. Photo: Outlook India

THE 2022 AUSTRALIAN GP: AS IT HAPPENED

On the run to Turn 1, Leclerc maintained his pole position, leading Max Verstappen, Hamilton, Perez (who was boxed-in on the outside of Turn 1), Russell (Mercedes), and Lando Norris, whose McLaren was dive-bombed at the first corner.

Carlos Sainz’s second Ferrari started on the hard tyre and struggled severely off the line, slipping to 14th on the first lap.

On the second circuit, he spun and beached the car at Turn 10, bringing out the safety car.

On the approach to Turn 3 on Lap 10, Perez used DRS to pass Hamilton for third place after the restart.

As early as Lap 12, Verstappen began to experience tyre troubles as Leclerc extended his lead to over 4 seconds.

Verstappen’s car also had sensor issues, and he was over 8 seconds behind the leaders by the time he stopped for hard tyres on Lap 19.

Fernando Alonso’s Alpine, which started on hards, passed Pierre Gasly’s for eighth AlphaTauri in Turn 3 as Verstappen rejoined. Perez was losing grip and had Hamilton all over him by the time he pitted on Lap 21.

On Lap 22, Leclerc and Hamilton pitted as the medium starters all switched to hard tires.

On the approach to Turn 9, Hamilton overcut Perez, but the Mexican quickly repassed him around the outside.

Sebastian Vettel’s Aston Martin ran into the wall, leaving Turn 4, necessitating a second safety car.

Russell took advantage of the opportunity to pit under yellow and move up to third, ahead of Alonso, who had yet to stop, Perez, and Hamilton.

Fernando Alonso’s Alpine, which started on hards, passed Pierre Gasly’s for eighth AlphaTauri in Turn 3 as Verstappen rejoined.

Max Verstappen retired early due to mechanical problems. Photo: Planet F1

Perez was losing grip and had Hamilton all over him by the time he pitted on Lap 21.

On Lap 22, Leclerc and Hamilton pitted as the medium starters all switched to hard tires. On the approach to Turn 9, Hamilton overcut Perez, but the Mexican quickly repassed him around the outside.

Sebastian Vettel’s Aston Martin ran into the wall, leaving Turn 4, necessitating a second safety car.

Russell took advantage of the opportunity to pit under yellow and move up to third, ahead of Alonso, who had yet to stop, Perez, and Hamilton.

Verstappen attacked Leclerc after a poor restart, but Ferrari’s title leader clung to his lead and moved away once again.

On Lap 30, Perez passed Alonso for fourth, and Hamilton followed suit a lap later.

On Lap 37, Perez passed Russell for third, which became second two circuits later when Verstappen’s car was forced to stop due to a technical issue.

A virtual safety car was called as marshals dealt with his car, with both Alonso and Magnussen pitting from the top ten.

Leclerc now leads Perez by 12 seconds, followed by Russell, Hamilton, Norris, and Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren).

Before winning his second race of the season and extending his championship lead, the Ferrari driver focused on guaranteeing the fastest lap.

Perez finished over 20 seconds behind the winner after suffering a late grassy off on his way to the runner-up slot.

HAMILTON WAS FRUSTRATED DESPITE PACE IMPROVEMENT

Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, had a mixed day.

Lewis Hamilton finished 4th in the 2022 Australian GP. Photo: Planet F1

In the early laps, he was third in his Mercedes, and while he couldn’t match Leclerc’s performance – no one could – he was able to stay closer to the Red Bulls than at any other moment this season.

But he couldn’t keep Perez’s Red Bull behind him. He then dropped behind teammate Russell during pit stops after the younger Brit gained time by pitting during the safety car period following Vettel’s skid and impact with the wall on the exit of Turn 4.

In the final laps, Hamilton trailed Russell to the finish line, closing in but never trying an overtaking. There were no team orders, but Hamilton added to the suspense by remarking on his pit radio, “You have put me in a difficult position.”

THE 2022 AUSTRALIAN GP RESULTS