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Posted: 2024-03-24 07:25:38

McLaren achieved third and fourth, but would not have made any new Australian fans with team orders.

Carlos Sainz improved his CV for future job interviews, as he looks for a seat in 2025.

Meanwhile, the handbrake was pulled on Max Verstappen's hopes for 10 race wins in a row.

Here are five key moments from the Australian Arabia Grand Prix.

1. Piastri asked to move over for teammate

Australian Oscar Piastri drove a solid race in his hometown to finish fourth, the best finish by an Australian at Albert Park.

However, he finished behind his teammate Lando Norris, who was able to achieve McLaren's first podium of the season.

Oscar Piastri in his garage, putting ear plugs in before jumping into a car

Oscar Piastri was running third in Melbourne, but was asked by McLaren to move aside for his teammate.(Reuters: Jaimi Joy)

Team orders were called on Piastri at the mid-way point of the race, with McLaren asking the Aussie to give up third place to Norris.

Piastri had pitted five laps earlier than Norris and got the undercut on his teammate before the Briton with fresher tyres began to catch up.

The decision was not met with excitement from the home crowd, who were visibly silent as the Briton passed their hero. 

However, the Australian said the decision was the right call by the team.

"It was fine. Lando qualified in front and we tried something a bit different with the first stop," he said.

"He was quicker than me in the middle of [the second] stint.

"Lando was a bit quicker so that was completely fair."

2. Verstappen driving with the handbrake on

Max Verstappen went into Sunday's race with a chance to equal his own record of 10 consecutive F1 grand prix victories.

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