Leclerc, 24, arrived in Australia trailing Sainz by 12 points in the World Championship and leaves with a +31 difference, after scoring his second victory in three races this season.
The Monegasque, winner of the opening GP in Bahrain, celebrated his fourth victory in F1 this Sunday, in addition to those obtained in Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) and Monza (Italy) in the 2019 season.
Both Sainz and Verstappen, defender of the title, had to abandon the test: the first, on the opening lap, after losing control of his car, and the second, due to a mechanical problem on lap 38.
The third defection from the Australian GP was carried out by four-time German champion Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin), on lap 22, who had his debut this year after missing the first two dates in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia due to a positive coronavirus.
Seven-time British champion Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), who started the test in fifth place, recovered a position and finished behind his teammate Russell, after occupying third position for a stage of the day.
Briton Lando Norris (McLaren), Australian Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren), Frenchman Esteban Ocon (Alpine), Finnish Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo), Frenchman Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri) and Thai Alexander Albon (Williams) completed the top 10
In the World Cup, Leclerc leads with 71 points, followed by Russell (37), Sainz (33) and “Checo” Pérez (30), while Verstappen is sixth with 25, behind Hamilton (28).
Ferrari leads the Constructors’ Cup with 104 units, ahead of Mercedes (65), Red Bull (55), McLaren (24), Alpine Renault (22), Alfa Romeo (13), Haas (12), AlphaTauri (10) and Williams (1).
Formula 1 will resume its activity on Sunday, April 24, when the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix is held over 63 laps on the Enzo and Dino Ferrari circuit, located about 30 kilometers southeast of the city of Bologna, Italy.
Source: Ambito
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