Vettel puts Hamilton on notice

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.

Vettel upset the form guide by claiming his third victory at Albert Park yesterday, 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’s 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.

Mercedes have won four straight drivers’ and constructors’ championships.

The German is hoping to earn Ferrari’s first world drivers’ title since 2007.