Vettel tops in Melbourne
FOUR-TIME Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel (above) has steered his Ferrari to victory at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. Mercedes ace Lewis Hamilton started the 58-lap race from pole position, but had to settle for second place, with Ferraris’ Kimi Raikkonen third. Aussie hope Daniel Ricciardo started from eighth position, after copping a threeplace grid penalty for speeding during a red flag in practice, but fought his way to fourth place.
GAME on.
Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel has thrown down the gauntlet to defending Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton by claiming the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne yesterday.
Vettel upset the form guide by claiming his third victory at Albert Park, finishing five seconds ahead of fellow four-time world champ Hamilton with Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen third.
Australia’s Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull equalled his best Albert Park result with fourth after battling back from eighth following a grid penalty.
It looked like a case of different season, same old result when Mercedes’ dominant champion Hamilton set a lap record to claim his seventh pole in Melbourne in qualifying.
But Vettel indicated Hamilton wouldn’t have it all his own way in 2018 with an inspiring victory that has set the stage for a titanic battle never before seen in Formula One.
This year marks the first time in F1 history two fourtime world champions go head-to-head in a season.
The race is now on to see who will equal Argentine great Juan Manuel Fangio’s five world titles.
Only Michael Schumacher (seven) has won more.
New F1 owners Liberty Media had strived to make the sport more appealing to fans in their first full season in charge in 2018 since ending Bernie Ecclestone’s controversial 40year reign, adding a range of changes on and off the track.
Gone were grid girls amidst the changes, replaced by “grid kids” at Melbourne.
Even the cars had a different look with the addition of the halo, a huge head protection device people complained looked more like a thong.
But it looked like nothing had changed on track after Hamilton broke a lap record to claim his seventh pole position at Albert Park, sounding an ominous warning to the field ahead of the 58-lap opener.
Mercedes have won four straight drivers’ and constructors’ championships. It seemed like the season-opener was Hamilton’s to lose but no one told Vettel.
The German is hoping to earn Ferrari’s first world drivers’ title since 2007.
It was a disastrous day for the Haas team, with both their drivers featuring in the top five before retiring within a lap of each other after emerging from the pits.
Overall, five of the 20strong field failed to finish.