F1 star Carlos Sainz in DEVASTATING Australian Grand Prix crash behind safety car

Carlos Sainz, Williams, Bahrain, 2025 — Photo: © IMAGO

Australian Grand Prix

Carlos Sainz in DEVASTATING Australian Grand Prix crash behind safety car

Carlos Sainz's Williams debut has come to an early end

Sheona Mountford F1 Journalist

Motorsport journalist working in F1 since 2024.

Sunday 16 March 2025 06:00

Carlos Sainz's great weekend at the Australian Grand Prix came to an abrupt end on the first lap of Sunday's race.

Three drivers were out of the race by the end of the first lap, as drivers faced rainy conditions for the first time in the 2025 editions of their Formula 1 cars.

F1 HEADLINES: McLaren release HUGE official driver statement as team confirm EXIT ahead of Australian Grand Prix

Article continues under video

The first incident of the race involved Racing Bulls of Isack Hadjar, who spun into the barriers on the formation lap at Turn 2 and was unable to start his first F1 race.

Later on the opening lap, Jack Doohan lost control of his Alpine and crashed into the wall bringing out a safety car as the rear end of his car was completely destroyed.

Sainz third F1 star out of Australian Grand Prix

Similar to Doohan, the Spaniard appeared to drop the car when he touched the painted road markings on the track, with Sainz also complaining of a 'power surge' as he made it into the final corner.

The FIA maintained safety car conditions however, as the marshals retrieved the damaged cars from the track and did not pause the session with a red flag.

Racing resumed on lap eight, when the safety car returned to the pits with 17 runners left in the Australian GP.

Mercedes Formula 1 Carlos Sainz Australian Grand Prix Isack Hadjar Jack Doohan