Born in Brooklyn in 1966, Mike Tyson had a turbulent childhood before becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion in the 1980s, terrifying his opponents with his in-ring fury and phenomenal punching power. But after his prison sentence, he couldn’t keep his titles.In an infamous 1996 fight, Tyson bit off a chunk of his opponent Evander Holyfield’s ear.
Riven by depression and addiction, he continued to make headlines, most notably for a one-man show in which he detailed the many ups and downs of his life. He recently jumped into the cannabis industry with his own brand of marijuana products.Now there is a new trouble for Tyson.
A woman filed a civil complaint in early January in Albany County civil court in which she alleges that the former American boxing champion allegedly raped her inside a limousine in the early ‘ 90, near NYC. And you’re asking for five million dollars in damages.The alleged victim insisted on remaining anonymous because she fears being attacked by the media and all Tyson fans.The woman in New York state has filed a civil lawsuit against Mike Tyson, accusing the former boxing champion of raping her in a limousine in the early 1990s, court documents attest.The woman, who asked the court to remain anonymous, filed her complaint in early January under a temporary New York State law that allows victims of se*ual assault to seek civil damages regardless of the terms of prescription.Tyson spent three years in prison starting in 1992 after he was found guilty of raping model Desiree Washington, who was 18 at the time.
In a brief affidavit dated Dec. 23, 2022, plaintiff says she met the boxer at a nightclub in the early 1990s, then followed him in her limousine, where she allegedly assaulted her before raping her.”As a result of Tyson’s rape, I have suffered and continue to suffer physical, psychological and emotional injuries,” she said. She is seeking $5 million in damages.
Mike Tyson was once lined up for a boxing match against a WWE legend, with the bout set to take place at Wrestlemania.
Mike Tyson was once lined up for a boxing match against a WWE legend, with the bout set to take place at Wrestlemania.
On July 20, Tyson will return to the ring to face Jake Paul, four years after his last exhibition bout with Roy Jones Jr and 19 years since his last professional fight in 2005.
Tyson, once the youngest-ever heavyweight champion and the first heavyweight to hold the WBA, WBC and IBF titles, will take on the YouTuber-turned-boxer in Texas.
Paul, who is 30 years Tyson’s junior, has thus far competed in 10 professional fights and registered a record of nine victories and one defeat against heavyweight Tommy Fury.
Years before Tyson agreed to fight Paul, he had been lined up to take on another superstar in a peculiar crossover bout.
Triple H, one of the WWE’s most notorious heels, was once in discussions to take on Tyson in a six-round boxing match at Wrestlemania 17, with Stone Cold Steve Austin versus the Rock also set to be on the same card.
However, Iron Mike was allegedly asking for too much money for the company.
“We were going to do six rounds. I don’t remember if it was going to be full boxing rules, or whether I was wearing gloves,” Triple H told WWE.com.
Triple H is one of the most notorious heels in wrestling history (Getty)
“But it ended up being a deal where the whole thing just would have been a ludicrous amount of money, and it got pushed off.”
Tyson did appear in WWE while serving a suspension from boxing for biting Evander Holyfield’s ear off.
Iron Mike allegedly had no money coming in at the time and was offered $3.5million (£2.78million) to appear as the special guest referee at WrestleMania 14 and several appearances in the run-up to it.
Strangely, Tyson’s notoriety only grew with his controversial attack on Holyfield and with WWE billing him as ‘The Baddest Man on the Planet’ ratings skyrocketed.
**Title: Mike Tyson’s Youngest Son, Morocco, Stuns with Outstanding Boxing Ability and Ambition to Conquer the UFC World at the Age of 15**
Mike Tyson’s youngest son, Morocco Tyson, is making waves in the world of combat sports with his remarkable boxing skills and an unwavering ambition to conquer the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) at the tender age of 15.
Morocco Tyson, born with the DNA of a boxing legend, has been honing his boxing prowess from a young age, following in the footsteps of his famous father. While many teenagers are still discovering their passions, Morocco has already displayed a level of dedication and talent that sets him apart.
His journey into the world of boxing began at a young age, with his father as his primary mentor and source of inspiration. Growing up in the Tyson household, Morocco was exposed to the intricacies of the sport, learning valuable lessons about discipline, hard work, and determination. Mike Tyson’s guidance and mentorship have played a pivotal role in Morocco’s rapid development as a budding boxing sensation.
What sets Morocco Tyson apart from his peers is not just his famous last name but his undeniable talent and commitment. He has been training rigorously, combining his natural athleticism with the knowledge passed down from his father. His dedication to the sport is nothing short of remarkable, often spending countless hours in the gym perfecting his technique and conditioning.
At just 15 years old, Morocco Tyson has already impressed boxing enthusiasts and experts with his extraordinary boxing ability. His speed, power, and ring IQ reflect a level of maturity and skill well beyond his years. He has participated in numerous amateur bouts, consistently delivering impressive performances that have garnered attention from the boxing world.
However, Morocco Tyson’s ambition doesn’t stop at the amateur level. He has set his sights on conquering the UFC, one of the most prestigious and challenging organizations in mixed martial arts (MMA). His dream is to become a world-class fighter, just like his father did in the world of boxing.
While the road to the UFC is undoubtedly filled with challenges, Morocco’s determination, and the support of his legendary father, give him a significant advantage. The boxing world is eagerly watching his progress and eagerly anticipating his transition into MMA, where he aims to make a name for himself and carry on the Tyson legacy in a new arena.
In conclusion, Morocco Tyson, the youngest son of boxing legend Mike Tyson, is capturing hearts and attention with his remarkable boxing ability and unwavering ambition to conquer the world of UFC at the age of 15. With his dedication, talent, and the guidance of his iconic father, Morocco has the potential to become a force to be reckoned with in the world of combat sports, inspiring a new generation of fighters along the way.
George Russell has walked away unhurt after smashing his Mercedes in a huge crash on the last lap of the Australian Grand Prix.
The Briton’s car was left teetering on its side in turns six and seven after he slid through the gravel and into the barriers at high speed while battling Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso.
Russell was seen moving freely straight after the impact, which left debris strewn across the track and forced the race to be completed under the virtual safety car.
‘I am OK,’ he told his Red Bull team via radio.
Russell’s car was an absolute wreck after he smashed into the barriers at high speed while battling Fernando Alonso on the last lap
The British star and his Spanish rival are being investigated by stewards over the incident, with suspicions that Russell may have been brake-tested by the Aston Martin ace
Despite the heavy impact, Russell was seen moving freely straight after the crash and emerged unhurt from the wreckage
Stewards are investigating the incident amid suspicion that the Spaniard could have brake-tested the Englishman.
The crash occurred on the same part of the track where Williams’ Alex Albon crashed heavily during practice, and race winner Carlos Sainz appeared to be wary of that section when he asked about Russell’s condition after winning the race ahead of teammate Charles Leclerc.
‘He had a big one, no?’ Sainz said of his Mercedes rival.
‘I said it about this corner, it is too much.’
Russell was caught up in a social media scandal before the race when two Australian influencers were slammed for posting footage of him using a urinal at Albert Park in a shocking invasion of privacy.
He also crashed out on the final lap of last year’s Singapore Grand Prix, with the accident costing him a spot on the podium.
Sainz made a remarkable comeback from surgery to win the dramatic race, after Red Bull superstar Max Verstappen’s bid to equal his own Formula One record went up in smoke.
Two weeks after he was sidelined from the Saudi Arabian race due to appendicitis, Sainz claimed the third win of his F1 career, and first at Albert Park.
Carlos Sainz later voiced his concerns about the section of track where Russell’s race ended – the same series of high-speed corners where Alex Albon wrecked his Williams on Friday
Sainz overcame appendix surgery just two weeks ago to lead home his Ferrari teammate in Melbourne and give the Prancing Horse a badly needed one-two finish (pictured)
Russell’s exit capped off a disastrous weekend for Mercedes, with his teammate Lewis Hamilton also retiring on lap 17 due to engine failure
The Spaniard took the chequered flag ahead of Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc, with McLaren’s Lando Norris finishing third.
McLaren’s rising star Oscar Piastri came in fourth, continuing the run of an Australian driver having never made it on the podium in Melbourne.
Verstappen’s bid to win a 10th straight race for the second time in less than 12 months ended after he suffered a car fire early in Sunday’s race.
After cantering to wins in the opening two races of the season, Verstappen was a red hot favourite to go back-to-back after winning at Albert Park for the first time last year.
The three-time defending world champion started on pole but Sainz, who qualified second, overtook him on the second lap.
The race was blown wide open when Max Verstappen was forced to retire on lap five after his Red Bull caught fire thanks to a faulty right rear brake
The world champion said the brake was ‘locked on’ right from the start of the race, making it seem like he was driving ‘with the handbrake on’
Verstappen then began complaining on team radio about ‘losing the car’.
Soon afterwards, smoke appeared at the rear of the 26-year-old’s car and he was forced into the pits on lap three, with no hope of a return.
‘My right rear brake basically stuck on from when the lights went off,’ Verstappen said.
‘The temperatures (in the car) just kept on increasing until the point that it caught fire.
‘They (mechanics) could see what was going on but they don’t know what what caused it.
‘We had a lot of good races in a row, I knew that the day would come when you end up having a retirement and unfortunately that day was today.’
It continues a mixed relationship with Australia for Verstappen, who was forced to retire in the 2022 edition.
Verstappen had won nine straight races, dating back to the Japanese Grand Prix last September.
Sainz was the last driver, in Singapore last September, other than Verstappen to win a F1 race.
Victory at Albert Park would have taken Verstappen level with his own record, set with his 10 straight wins from Miami to Monza last year.
Britain’s Lando Norris (right) is pictured spraying Sainz with champagne after he finished third
The victory was the third of Sainz’s career and comes after the shock news Hamilton will be replacing him at the Italian team next year
Verstappen won 19 races last season – the most in F1 history – on his way to a third straight title to completely dominate the rest of the field.
The Dutchman had also converted his last 18 poles into a race win.
Verstappen wasn’t the only big name to suffer mechanical issues, with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton forced to the back of the field on lap 17.
Hamilton, who started 11th after his worst qualifying session at Albert Park since 2010, headed to the garage in another disappointing race in his last season with Mercedes before his switch to Ferrari next year.
It was the first time Verstappen and Hamilton – F1’s two most successful drivers of the past decade – had withdrawn from the same race due to mechanical failures.
Australian veteran Daniel Ricciardo, who missed last year’s Melbourne race, finished 12th with his new team, RB.
This was an Australian Grand Prix full of drama and shock retirements – throwing the field wide open for an enthralling contest.
Once reigning three-time world champion Max Verstappen was forced to retire his car, with his right rear tyre on fire, the gloves were off for the rest of the field, with Ferrari in particularly sniffing a rare race win.
The Italian team have looked quick all weekend and they profited with Carlos Sainz claiming victory, while team-mate Charles Leclerc finished second.
It was a disastrous weekend for Mercedes, who saw both drivers fail to finish, and the inquest is ongoing as to how things unravelled for the Silver Arrows.
Mail Sport’s NATHAN SALT gives his winners and losers for the Australian Grand Prix.
Carlos Sainz (left) toasted victory in the Australian Open after a brilliant day for Ferrari
It was a nightmare afternoon in Melbourne for Max Verstappen as he was forced to retire
Sainz ended Verstappen’s nine-race winning streak while it was another frustrating day for Lewis Hamilton
WINNERS
Carlos Sainz – 9
To come back from appendix surgery and win a Formula One grand prix in the space of two weeks is truly remarkable.
Some will take a bit of shine off his win given that Verstappen was a non-factor following his retirement but that would be grossly unfair.
An impressive – and deserved – win and one that should send a signal to team principals throughout the paddock. Sign this man up for 2025.
Lando Norris – 8
He may not have had enough to overtake the Ferrari pair ahead of him but this was a splendid drive from Lando Norris.
When McLaren instructed team orders for Oscar Piastri to let his team-mate past, the partisan home crowd weren’t happy at all to see the popular Aussie playing second fiddle.
But McLaren knew what they were doing and the quicker driver ultimately secured them a podium finish. Bravo.
To come back from appendix surgery and win a Formula One grand prix in the space of two weeks is truly remarkable
Lando Norris (left) impressed to finish third but this was all about the resolve of Sainz (right)
Yuki Tsunoda – 7
This was a statement performance in Australia from Tsunoda and one that should not be overlooked.
The Japanese driver has had a good start to 2024 but here were his first points of the season with an eighth-placed finish.
‘Yeah I’m very happy, first points for our new team, wasn’t easy but at the same time for sure we deserved it,’ he said.
‘Last two races we had a pace, but we had a very frustrating races so I’m very happy that we able to score points here.’
Nico Hulkenburg + Kevin Magnussen – 7
We’re combining the Haas drivers as their ninth and 10th-placed finishes make it the first time since 2022 that the team have secured a double points finish.
That may seem a low bar to those who support a driver up front, but there will be plenty of celebrations in that Haas garage this evening – and rightly so.
It was the first time since 2022 that Haas had both drivers finishing inside the top 10 for points
LOSERS
Max Verstappen – 1
While he could have done very little to stop it, this went about as badly as it could have done for the world championship leader.
He could have had a nightmare last night and this would still have been worse.
His car caught fire inside three laps and there was nothing he could do from there.
‘S*** happens,’ he said. It does indeed, Max.
Lewis Hamilton – 2
Things weren’t much better for Verstappen’s long-time rival Lewis Hamilton once his engine failed and he was sent packing back to the garage.
You just can’t escape the feeling that this is going to be yet another miserable season for Hamilton in what is his final one with Mercedes.
I bet he enjoyed watching his soon-to-be new team Ferrari get the one-two finish though…
George Russell – 4
Hamilton’s team-mate was on course for a seventh-placed finish heading into the final lap and while that would have been nothing to write home about, it got even worse when he crashed in pursuit of Fernando Alonso.
Mercedes are livid and are claiming Alonso brake-tested Russell.
George Russell crashed on the final lap meaning Mercedes suffered two DNF finishes
Mercedes were furious and claimed that Fernando Alonso had brake-tested Russell’s car
The issue is now in the hands of the stewards.
Sergio Perez – 5
Given he is in the best car on the grid and Verstappen was out of the race, so much more was expected of Perez than his fifth-placed finish.
Lewis Hamilton conceded that Mercedes are a million miles off fighting for race wins after retirement at the Australian Grand Prix condemned him to his worst ever season start in Formula One.
The seven-time world champion is on eight points after three races, even worse than the meagre 14 points he managed to start the 2009 season.
Hamilton’s race was run here when engine failure put paid to any hopes of a finish, and he watched his soon-to-be new team Ferrari record a one-two finish with Carlos Sainz, the man he will replace in the team next season, taking victory.
Hamilton is trying not to get too down about things and tried to stress afterwards that he is feeling ‘pretty good’ even in the face of history-making adversity for him.
‘I mean, this is the worst start to season I’ve ever had,’ he said.
Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton is officially enduring his worst ever start to a Formula One season
The seven-time world champion was forced to retire with engine failure before 20-lap mark
Asked if it has been ‘even worse than the last two’, he replied: ‘Oh, yeah, for sure. And it’s worse than 2009 I think.’
‘Surprisingly,’ he continued, ‘I feel pretty good. I’m trying to keep things in perspective, you know, this like, could be so much worse.
‘I’m really grateful. I’ve really enjoyed my time here in Australia, I’m still enjoying working with a team.
‘Of course, I’d love to be fighting for wins and actually finishing races.
‘It’s never a great feeling when you come all this way, and you don’t see even half of the race, but what I know is that we will bounce back, we will eventually get there, we just have to continue to chip away.’
It was a day that went from bad to worse for Mercedes when Hamilton’s running mate George Russell suffered a DNF on the final lap following a crash.
Speaking in the media pen at Albert Park, Hamilton admitted that such poor results are demoralising for everyone involved in the Mercedes team.
‘I think it’s tough on the spirit,’ Hamilton said.
‘I think for everyone in the team, when so much work is going on throughout the winter for everybody, you come in excited, motivated and driven, and then you’re with the mindset that you’re going to be fighting for wins.
‘And then obviously that’s not the case. And then you’re like, ‘Okay, maybe second, third’. No, it’s not the case, and it cascades a bit further down. And you just go through the motions. It’s challenging.
‘But I continue to be inspired by the people I’ve worked with. They continue to put in the effort and show up and that’s the most important thing.’
Mercedes’ woes continued when George Russell sorted a final lap DNF after hitting the barrier
His car was left in a bad way as he hunted down Fernando Alonso at the Australian Grand Prix
The Brit added: ‘I think it’s easy to get caught up in the moment and be focused on this one thing but the bigger picture is definitely the focus of the moment, and also just realising that you can’t control everything.
‘Like you get frustrated because you don’t have control, you can just let go and just be in the moment and that’s really… it’s not great, I’m not happy, but I’m gonna have a great day tomorrow.’
A Mercedes spokesperson went on to confirm that it was a power-unit failure that caused Hamilton’s early DNF before the 20-lap mark.
Now attention turns to the Japanese race next up where they will look to finally ignite their season.
Oscar Piastri was on course to become the first Australian to record a podium finish at his home grand prix before his McLaren team ordered him to let his teammate Lando Norris past on Sunday.
The 22-year-old was third behind the Ferraris of winner Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc on lap 29 before the team made the call that saw Norris finish third.
Boos were heard from the patriotic crowd at Albert Park as Piastri obeyed the order – although the Aussie was diplomatic about the incident after the chequered flag, saying Norris had out-qualified him and was the quicker of the two during the race.
Piastri started fifth, with Norris fourth, but managed to get past his teammate during the first round of pit stops.
Piastri was on the verge of becoming the first Aussie to record a podium finish in his home grand prix before McLaren made a very tough decision
His teammate Lando Norris (right) finished a strong third behind the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc (left) and winner Carlos Sainz (second from right)
Piastri (pictured in action during the race) overtook Norris during the first round of pit stops but was outpaced by the British star during a tough middle stint
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‘I would have loved to have been one spot up but no, pretty happy with that,’ he said after the race.
‘Few little things that I could’ve done a bit better in that race. I think I just struggled a little bit in that middle stint on the hard [tyre].’
He later had a moment that saw him leave the track on the second-last corner and lose up to four seconds, but still finished more than 20 seconds ahead of Red Bull’s Sergio Perez in fifth.
The fourth place was the best result an Australian has recorded at a home grand prix.
‘That must feel especially horrible in your home race,’ F1 commentator David Croft said after Piastri gave way.
‘But as we’ve often seen with Oscar Piastri, when the team asks you to do something, he does it, he doesn’t complain.’
Daniel Ricciardo struggled badly for the third straight race this year. He could only manage 12th as his teammate Yuki Tsunoda came eighth
The poor race result came after the Aussie was knocked out in the first qualifying session – and admitted he had no idea why Tsunoda has consistently been faster than him
The Melburnian got a standing ovation when he crossed the line, but the fans were far from happy when he and Norris changed places.
‘I have to tell you that went down like a cold flat white with the crowd,’ commentator Ted Kravitz said.
The other Aussie in the field, Daniel Ricciardo, struggled for the third race in a row this season as he was once again easily beaten by his RB teammate Yuki Tsunoda.
The 34-year-old was on the ropes after having his best qualifying time deleted for exceeding track limits, and he could only manage 12th while Tsunoda was eighth.
Before the race, Ricciardo confessed that he couldn’t understand why he lacked so much pace compared to the Japanese star.
His latest result – coming after he finished 13th in Bahrain and 16th in Saudi Arabia – is sure to increase the pressure on him as he tries to put himself in line to replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull.
On Saturday Red Bull’s Helmut Marko bluntly stated the Aussie is ‘too slow’ in races – and that impression has only strengthened after the chequered flag at Albert Park.
Carlos Sainz‘s Australian Grand Prix victory was made all the more impressive after he bounced back from appendix surgery to triumph in Melbourne.
But the after-effects of the operation were clear for all to see as the Spaniard tentatively emerged from his car after the race in parc ferme.
Unlike the all-conquering Max Veratappen, who bounds out of his Red Bull after each victory, Sainz sorely lifted himself from his Ferrari SF-24, throwing a few weak fist pumps.
But that was an outstanding effort given the fact he was barely able to get out of bed before boarding his flight to Australia.
‘Life sometimes is crazy,’ he said.
+3
Carlos Sainz was still feeling the after effects of his surgery
+3
The Spaniard tentatively slid out of his Ferrari on Sundag
‘What happened at the beginning of the year (not being renewed at Ferrari), then the appendix and the comeback and the win – a rollercoaster, but I love it.’
Sainz revealed he went to dramatic lengths in a bid to be fit to race, including spending two hours a day in a hyperbaric chamber.
‘When I was about to catch my flight to Australia, I was still in bed and could barely use my abdominal muscles,’ he said.
‘I was like ‘this isn’t going to happen’. But I took the flight and suddenly when I landed in Australia, the feeling was a lot better.’
Verstappen’s bid to win a 10th straight race for the second time in less than 12 months ended after his brakes exploded and his car caught on fire.
After cantering to wins in the opening two races of the season, Verstappen was a red hot favourite to go back-to-back after winning at Albert Park for the first time last year.
The three-time defending world champion started on pole but Sainz, who qualified second, overtook him on the second lap.
Soon afterwards, smoke appeared at the rear of the 26-year-old’s car and he was forced into the pits on lap three, with no hope of a return.
+3
Sainz won the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon in Melbourne
‘My right rear brake basically stuck on from when the lights went off,’ Verstappen said.
‘We had a lot of good races in a row, I knew that the day would come when you end up having a retirement and unfortunately that day was today.’
Verstappen, who was also forced to retire at Albert Park in 2022, had won nine straight races, dating back to the Japanese Grand Prix last September.
Sainz was the last driver, in Singapore last September, other than Verstappen to win a F1 race.
Fernando Alonso was found guilty of potentially causing George Russell‘s 170mph crash, a dramatic smash that left the British driver fearing for his life at the Australian Grand Prix.
Mercedes-man Russell hit the barriers on the penultimate lap while in pursuit of Aston Martin’s double world champion, his car ending up teetering on its side.
On board camera footage showed Russell fumbling with his steering wheel trying to press the team radio button.
‘Red flag, red flag, red flag, I’m in the middle of the track,’ he implored. ‘Red flag! Red flag! Red, red, red, red, red. I’m in the middle, red! F****** hell.’
The red flag, which would have ended the grand prix, did not come. A virtual safety car was instead deployed by race director Niels Wittich, nullifying the action in a slow-speed conclusion.
George Russell suffers crash on last lap of Australian Grand Prix
George Russell crashed out of the Australian Grand Prix on lap 57 when chasing Fernando Alonso
Russell’s car hit the barrier and got lifted up on its side over the broken wheel of the Mercedes
Both parties were called to give evidence in an inquiry lasting just under an hour, with Russell claiming that Alonso’s unexpected deceleration meant he had to ‘slam on the brakes’.
At 8pm local time, more than three hours after the race was won by Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz – following world champion Max Verstappen’s Red Bull being licked by flames through a brake failure – a long judgment partly exonerated 42-year-old Alonso of a deliberate act of dangerous driving. But the stewards decided the Spaniard had driven in an ‘extraordinary’ way as the pair vied for sixth place.
The accident occurred at Turn 7, with Russell careering into the wall at an estimated 100mph, having suddenly slowed down.
The stewards found that Alonso broke Article 33.4 of the FIA’s Sporting Code, which reads: ‘At no time may a car be driven unnecessarily slowly, erratically or in a manner which could be deemed potentially dangerous to other drivers or any other person.’
Alonso was handed a drive-through penalty, converted to a 20-second sanction, dropping him from sixth to eighth place on the final classification. He was also given three penalty points on his previously clean FIA super licence. Twelve points result in a ban – something that has never happened.
Stewards have given Alonso a 20-second time penalty after they said he lifted more than 100 metres earlier going into Turn 6 – which ultimately caught out the British driver
Alonso told the stewards he approached the corner differently by lifting early and carrying less speed, but only to gain a better exit. Russell, 26, countered that the move was ‘erratic’, caught him unawares and denied him downforce at the corner apex.
The stewards’ verdict read: ‘Telemetry shows that Alonso lifted slightly more than 100 metres earlier than he ever had going into that corner during the race.
‘He also braked very slightly at a point that he did not usually brake (although the amount of brake was so slight that it was not the main reason for his car slowing) and he downshifted at a point he never usually downshifted. He then upshifted again and accelerated to the corner before lifting again to make the corner.
‘Alonso explained that while his plan was to slow earlier, he got it slightly wrong and had to take extra steps to get back up to speed. Nonetheless, this manoeuvre created a considerable and unusual closing speed between the cars.’
However, the stewards could not definitively determine that Alonso’s strange manoeuvre – including four unexplained lift-off-the-gas moments, as Mercedes alleged – was calculated to trigger Russell’s accident.
Alonso was found to have braked more than 100m earlier into Turn 6, which led to Russell crashing as he got close behind the Aston Martin driver
It was a disappointing day for Mercedes as Russell’s crashed followed Lewis Hamilton retiring with an engine issue
The four-man panel, including former British driver Johnny Herbert, added: ‘Specifically, in this case, the stewards have not considered the consequences of the crash. Further, the stewards considered that they do not have sufficient information to determine whether Alonso’s manoeuvre was intended to cause Russell problems, or whether as he stated to the stewards that he simply was trying to get a better exit.
‘Should Alonso have the right to try a different approach to the corner? – yes. Should Alonso be responsible for dirty air, which ultimately caused the incident? – no.
‘However, did he choose to do something, with whatever intent, that was extraordinary – ie lifting, braking, downshifting and all the other elements of the manoeuvre – over 100m earlier than previously, and much greater than was needed to simply slow earlier for the corner? – yes.
‘By his own account of the incident he did, and in the opinion of the stewards by doing these things, he drove in a manner that was at very least “potentially dangerous” given the very high-speed nature of that point of the track.’
Max Verstappen insisted ‘s*** happens’ after the triple world champion suffered his first retirement from a race in two years at the Australian Grand Prix.
The Dutchman started from pole but was overtaken by the Ferrari of Carlos Sainz in the early laps.
Shortly afterwards smoke started to come from the rear of Verstappen’s Red Bull, resulting in the Dutchman slowly making his way back to the pits to retire from a race for the first time in two years.
This allowed Ferrari to take full advantage as Sainz took the chequered flag first from team-mate Charles Leclerc – with the latter now four points behind Verstappen in the standings.
After the race, Verstappen said: ‘S*** happens. It is important that we understand why it happened and make sure that it doesn’t happen again.’
Max Verstappen retired from the Australian Grand Prix from second with a brake issue
Verstappen noticed the issue at the start of the race and he was overtaken by Carlos Sainz before retiring shortly after
Verstappen could have matched his own record of ten straight wins if he finished first in Melbourne
Explaining the cause of his retirement, he added: ‘We could see in the data as soon as lights went off, the right rear brake just stuck on.
‘The temperature just kept on increasing, it was basically driving with the handbrake on. I already felt car was really weird to drive in some corners. Very snappy.
‘While [during] the laps to the grid, the car was really spot on. I was very happy with what we were doing. But that explains if brake was stuck on, that doesn’t help.
‘We had a lot of good races in a row, a lot of basically good reliability and I knew the day would come that you end up having a retirement and unfortunately that day was today.’
Verstappen’s last retirement came courtesy of a fuel leak at the 2022 Australian Grand Prix.
Since then he and Red Bull have been faultless as they have dominated the last two championships.
That domination carried over to the start of this season with back-to-back victories.
If he had taken victory in Melbourne, he would have matched his own personal record of ten straight wins.
Ferrari took full advantage with Carlos Sainz winning the race from team-mate Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris
However, Ferrari have appeared to close the gap somewhat, with Sergio Perez – who finished fifth – insisting Red Bull would not have won the race even if Verstappen had carried on.
There were a number of other notable retirements with Lewis Hamilton and George Russell also failing to finish at Melbourne.
It was the first time that neither Hamilton or Verstappen finished a race since they collided at the 2021 Italian Grand Prix.
