WATCH: Drama for Max Verstappen as the world champion retires ...
Video
3 hours ago
Max Verstappen saw his winning streak come to a dramatic end at the Australian Grand Prix after being forced to retire from the running in the opening laps of the race.
The Dutchman had made a solid start from pole position and initially maintained the lead before being overtaken by Carlos Sainz on Lap 2.
LIVE COVERAGE: All the action from the 2024 Australian Grand Prix
After reporting that he had lost the car, there was worse to come for Verstappen when smoke began billowing from the rear of his Red Bull soon afterwards.
The world champion then slowly made his way back to the pits to retire the RB20, marking a rare reliability issue for the Milton Keynes-based squad.
Click on the video player above to watch the drama unfold for Verstappen.
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