Max Verstappen flames OUT of the Australian Grand Prix as his car catches fire just five laps into the race – and Lewis Hamilton also retires

Reigning world champion Max Verstappen has been forced to retire from the Australian Grand Prix after the right rear of his car caught fire early in the race.

The Dutchman complained that the car was feeling ‘loose’ as he was passed by Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz two laps into the race.

By lap five increasing amounts of smoke could be seen coming from the back of his Red Bull as he lost pace and started to drop back through the field.

Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz passed the world champion on lap two – just before Verstappen told his team the car was ‘loose’, then added, ‘fire, fire!’ as flames lapped at the rear 

He was able to nurse the car back into the pits but by that stage flames were emerging from the brake on the right rear wheel, forcing the team’s mechanics to use fire extinguishers.

Verstappen exited the car with his race over and was soon seen after getting changed out of his racing gear.

‘I just lost the car – really weird,’ he said in the first indication of a problem when he was overtaken by Sainz.

That was followed by him telling the team, ‘I have smoke, blue smoke, fire, fire!’ on lap five as he slowly made his way to pit lane.

Lewis Hamilton was also forced to retire on lap 17.

MORE TO COME…