Carnage in Melbourne as Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton bow out of Formula 1 race

Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen was sensationally forced to retire from the Australian Grand Prix on just the fifth lap in Melbourne on Sunday.

Verstappen started in pole position but the 26-year-old's plans for yet another title went up in smoke - literally - because of mechanical failure.

The Red Bull superstar complained about his car not feeling right on his team radio - "f---, the car is loose" - and tried to continue before losing power.

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The three time world champion was passed by Ferrari's Carlos Sainz on lap two at turn nine.

Verstappen kept on the Spaniard's tail, but just two laps later was spewing smoke from the back of his car, with fire following.

Verstappen angrily shouted at a Red Bull crew member inside his garage after he found himself out of the race.

Minutes after his retirement, he was seen on TV coverage of the race in a heated discussion with Red Bull team principal Christian Horner.

The fiery engine failure marked his first race retirement since Albert Park in 2022.

Verstappen had won the first two F1 races of the season in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia and was on a nine race winning streak.

"What we can see so far is the right rear brake just stuck on," Verstappen said.

"So it was also basically driving with a hand brake on. And that's why I really felt that the car was really weird to drive in some corners. It was just very snappy."

"And that's why I felt that the car was really weird to drive in some corners. They will investigate."

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton was another early retirement with an engine failure on lap 17.

Sainz went on to win the race ahead of Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc.

Australia's Oscar Piastri finished fourth.