Ferrari defeated Mercedes for the
successive second year in Australian as Sebastian Vettel made the most of good
fortune to snatch victory from Lewis Hamilton in 2018 F1 season opener.
Hamilton looked on course for
victory, but Vettel took advantage of running longer and pitting during a
virtual safety car period to lead the race before absorbing massive pressure
from his old rival to secure his 48th career victory. Reigning world champion
Hamilton has now converted just two of his seven pole positions in Melbourne
while Vettel’s victory means he has now achieved 100 podiums, joining Michael
Schumacher, Alain Prost and Hamilton in that elite club.
Vettel's team mate Kimi Raikkonen
kept Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo at bay to secure the final podium position,
but there was heartbreak for Haas as both Kevin Magnussen and Romain
Grosjean retired from fourth and fifth following a wheel gun issue during
their pit stops, which stewards are investigating. Hamilton got away cleanly
from pole to maintain the lead into Turn 1 and then held off an optimistic
attack from Raikkonen into Turn 3.
Verstappen crossed the line sixth,
with Hulkenberg seventh and Valtteri Bottas, who started from 15th after
crashing his Mercedes in qualifying, eighth. Carlos Sainz completed the top 10
in the second Renault. Force India finished just outside of the points with
Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon 11th and 12th respectively, with Charles Leclerc
impressing on his debut with 13th for Sauber. Williams' Lance Stroll and Toro
Rosso's Brendon Hartley completed the finishers.
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