Max Verstappen has explained that an issue with his right-rear brake which started at the very beginning of the Australian Grand Prix was the reason behind his early retirement from the race.
The Red Bull driver had initially looked to have had a smooth getaway off the line as he held onto the lead from pole position, but a moment on Lap 2 allowed Carlos Sainz to overtake.
RACE START: Watch the getaway in Australia as Verstappen holds the lead before forced retirement
Shortly afterwards smoke started to billow from the rear of Verstappen’s RB20, resulting in the Dutchman slowly making his way back to the pits to retire from a race for the first time in two years.