Sainz missed the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix due to appendicitis, but despite not being physically at 100 percent, he qualified second behind Max Verstappen for the Melbourne race.
When Verstappen encountered brake trouble at the start, Sainz seized the opportunity to claim his first victory since the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix, leading a Ferrari 1-2 with Charles Leclerc.
Sainz expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, highlighting the rollercoaster journey of the season.
He was unaware of the extent of Verstappen’s brake issues but felt confident about maintaining his lead due to Ferrari’s promising race pace throughout the weekend. Sainz acknowledged the potential for a close fight for first place and expressed happiness at securing the win.