Max Verstappen breaks down in final laps of first race of Formula 1 season

Verstappen, 24, was in second with just a few laps left and attempting to track down the leader, Charles Leclerc. But Verstappen lost power with three laps remaining and was passed by several cars before rolling to a pit stop and ending his race. His Red Bull teammate Sergio Pérez took over second place, but dealt with problems of his own and eventually spun out in the first turn of the final lap of the race.

The disastrous end for the Red Bull drivers was a boost for seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, who climbed from fifth place to third in the final laps to get a crucial podium finish. 

Leclerc, 24, earned his first F1 victory since winning back-to-back races in September 2019. His Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz Jr. finished second.

During his championship winning season last year, Verstappen finish top two in 18 of the 22 races, including the last eight.