Nico Hulkenberg suffers Audi disaster as F1 rival placed under investigation

Nico Hulkenberg became the second F1 driver to fail to start the Australian Grand Prix, as Franco Colapinto has been placed under investigation by the stewards.

On the Melbourne grid, Hulkenberg’s Audi machine suffered a technical issue, and was wheeled off the grid into the garage, where he failed to take the start of the 58-lap race.

It came after home hero Oscar Piastri failed to start after crashing on the recon lap to the grid prior to the formation lap.

Elsewhere, Alpine’s Colapinto has been placed under investigation for a starting procedure infringement.

The start of the race itself was chaotic, with Charles Leclerc storming into the lead from fourth for Ferrari as George Russell fell to second from pole and Kimi Antonelli to fifth. 

Lewis Hamilton runs third on Lap 5 for Ferrari, with Max Verstappen up to 12th for Red Bull.