2024 Australian Grand Prix

“Life is crazy sometimes,” said Carlos Sainz after winning the Australian Grand Prix. Having spent most of the previous two weeks in bed recovering from his appendectomy, having learned before the season began that he’d lost his drive as of 2025. Now this: qualifying the Ferrari on the front row, having fought out pole with Max Verstappen, taking the lead and watching the Red Bull disappear out of the race, controlling the pace from the front, controlling team-mate Charles Leclerc, keeping his tyres in shape as everyone suffered graining, a driver totally in command of his race. It was a drive which moved Christian Horner to suggest he’d be a very attractive option for Red Bull next year.

What would be more appropriate than the guy who has twice brought long consecutive Red Bull victory runs to an end being recruited to Red Bull itself now that he’s been displaced at Ferrari for 2025 by Lewis Hamilton?