Motor racing-Red Bull reliability run ends with Verstappen's car in flames

Formula One F1 - Australian Grand Prix - Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit, Melbourne, Australia - March 24, 2024 Red Bull's Max Verstappen returns to the pit stop after retiring from the race due to fire Pool via REUTERS/Scott Barbour

MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Red Bull's remarkable two-year run of reliability ended at the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday with Formula One world champion Max Verstappen rolling back to the pits as flames leaped from the rear of his car.

The Dutchman's run of nine successive wins was also snapped as he broke down on lap four with a brake problem, two years after his and Red Bull's last retirement due to a mechanical issue at the 2022 Albert Park race.