Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) grabbed the win at the Australian Grand Prix, the third in the Formula One World Championship held at Melbourne's Albert Park. Despite undergoing emergency surgery for appendicitis just two weeks ago, he delivered an epic victory, marking his third in the premier category.

Sainz, 29, brilliantly won a race where his teammate, Charles Leclerc from Monaco, took second place and Lando Norris (McLaren) from England secured third. Max Verstappen (Red Bull), still leading the championship, had to retire due to brake issues after completing five of the 58 laps around the Australian track. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), the other Spanish driver, finished sixth, one spot behind Sergio Pérez (Red Bull), but was penalized with a 20-second penalty for an irregular action during the incident involving George Russell (Mercedes).

"Life can be a rollercoaster, but it's wonderful," exclaimed the talented Madrid-born driver upon stepping out of the car, moments before the Spanish anthem played in Australia. This encapsulated his personal situation perfectly. Starting a season with Ferrari announcing his departure for the next year, Sainz achieved a fantastic third place in Bahrain before encountering the setback of appendicitis just before the longest trip of the year.

With immense resilience and honed expertise gained through years of learning, Sainz conquered his challenges in 'Down Under' with remarkable finesse. He took advantage of Verstappen's retirement - the first since the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in 2022 in Imola, Italy - and had already overtaken the Dutch driver on track with impressive race pace, indicating he would have contended for victory regardless.

After Red Bull's dominance in the first two races - won by Verstappen ahead of Pérez - it was Sainz who led a Ferrari one-two this time. The most decorated team in F1 history. Ferrari will likely regret parting ways with the son of the double world rally champion - and four-time Dakar Rally winner - to offer his seat in 2024 to the seven-time crowned Englishman Lewis Hamilton, who retired this Sunday, arriving at Maranello at 40.

Leclerc joined the Ferrari celebration with the fastest lap in the race and is now second in the championship, four points behind the leader 'Mad Max'. He's one point ahead of 'Checo' and seven points ahead of Carlos, who, with one fewer race, holds fourth place in the standings.

Sainz, who debuted in F1 in 2015 with Toro Rosso - later becoming Alpha Tauri and now Visa Cash App RB - secured his third victory in the premier category. His maiden win in top-tier racing came two years ago at Silverstone (England), home of the British Grand Prix: a legendary track that hosted the first-ever F1 race in 1950.

Last season, the talented Madrid-born driver was the only one to break Red Bull's dominant streak, claiming the only victory out of the 22 not won by the Austrian team in 2023. He did so in Marina Bay by winning the Singapore Grand Prix. This Sunday, with his victory in Melbourne, he added to his tally of 20 podiums in the premier category; the latest of which was a third-place finish in Bahrain at the beginning of this month.

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His win marks Spain's 35th victory in F1, with the other 32 achieved by the indefatigable Alonso, now enjoying a second youth at 42 years old.

Carlos, named 'Driver of the Day,' even joked by advising other drivers to "get rid of their appendix," equating it to a guarantee of success. This was before hearing the Spanish National Anthem, the Marcha Real, from the top spot on the final podium in Melbourne's prestigious Albert Park.