Red Bull's Max Verstappen celebrates on the podium after winning the Australian Grand Prix. Reuters

Although Red Bull’s first triumph in Melbourne since 2011 was expected, the carnage that unfolded in the latter stages of the race at Albert Park made it an extremely hard-fought win.

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Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who drove superbly in his Mercedes, finished second, while Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso took third spot on the podium.

"That is a really good weekend for us. I am happy with that,” Verstappen said to his team on radio.

Max Verstappen (centre) attends a press conference next to Lewis Hamilton (left) and Fernando Alonso in Melbourne. AFP

Verstappen had appeared to be coasting to victory with an eight-second lead when debris from Kevin Magnussen’s Haas forced the second of three red flags in the race with three laps remaining.

On the restart, Verstappen was able to hold Hamilton to the first turn as bedlam unfolded behind his Red Bull, sparking a massive reshuffle of the finishing order in the 58-lap race.

Alonso, who had challenged Hamilton for second throughout much of the race, was hit by Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz on the first corner of the restart. Sainz, whose Ferrari showed good speed throughout the race, was issued with a five-second penalty that relegated him to 12th.

Williams driver Logan Sargeant also drove into the back of Nyck de Vries and Alpine’s Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly also crashed.

Earlier, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc exited after crashing on the opening lap, while the Mercedes of one-time leader George Russell caught fire on Lap 18.

Australian Oscar Piastri claimed his first championship points when finishing eighth in his McLaren.

Associated Press