Just as the Austrian Grand Prix was about to begin, Carlos Sainz’s car suddenly caught fire during the formation lap, creating a shocking scene of chaos and confusion that left fans and teams scrambling to understand what went wrong in this dramatic and unexpected moment.
Another huge name crashed out in the first lap
CARLOS SAINZ was forced to retire from the Austrian Grand Prix before it even began after his car caught fire.
The start of the race was delayed following the incident during the formation lap.
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Carlos Sainz was forced out of the race after his car caught fire
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Fire marshalls rushed to deal with the issueCredit: AFP
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The problem began at the start of the formation lapCredit: Reuters
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Max Verstappen crashed out in the first lapCredit: Reuters
The issue arose on the grid with the Williams failing to start as the other 19 cars got underway.
Sainz was able to start but could not complete the formation lap as he was forced into the pits.
The Spaniard was told on the radio: “Game over.”
Fire marshals rushed to the vehicle to put out a small fire in the rear of the car.
Sainz was then forced out of the race, with the start delayed by 18 minutes.
The drama did not stop there with Max Verstappen crashing out in the first lap.
Andrea Antonelli’s Mercedes locked up and veered into the four-time world champion on the fourth corner.
Lewis Hamilton also moved up one place after coming out on top in a neck-to-neck tussle with his former team-mate George Russell.
Sainz was forced to watch on from the paddock after a fire ruled him out of the Austrian GP for a second time.
He was also forced to retire from the race in 2022 after his Ferrari engine went up in flames.
