Max Verstapen survived a crazy, chaotic and farcical finale to win the F1 Australian Grand Prix.

Verstappen's cruise to the chequered flag was placed in danger when the race was stopped in the closing stages after Kevin Magnussen hit the wall and debris littered the track.

Magnussen's accident set up a two-lap shootout at Melbourne's Albert Park, but the frantic restart lasted only two corners after Fernando Alonso was sent spinning by Ferrari's Carlos Sainz and Alpine team-mates' Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon crashed out.

The race was red-flagged for a third time before a 33-minute delay followed as the FIA rooted through its rulebook. The order of the previous start was taken up, with Verstappen following the safety car home in an absurd procession to the chequered flag.

Lewis Hamilton finished second ahead of Alonso. Sainz crossed the line in fourth, but a five-second penalty for colliding with Alonso dropped him out of the points to 12th.

F1 Australian Grand Prix highlights