Vettel’s victory is a milestone
Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel won the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday, holding off his hardcharging Mercedes rival Lewis Hamilton in a dramatic start to the new Formula One season.
It was the 100th podium of Vettel’s career and it came in his 200th Formula One race. The German becomes the fourth driver to claim 100 podium finishes, joining Hamilton, Michael Schumacher and Alain Prost.
Vettel finished 5 seconds ahead of Hamilton, who had made several late attempts to catch the Ferrari, but fell short.
Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen finished third, denying Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo a chance to become the first Australian driver to stand on the podium at the Australian GP.
McLaren’s Fernando Alonso made a strong run to finish in fifth place. NASCAR RACE POSTPONED >> The NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway has been postponed until today because of inclement weather.
Rain and light snow fell Saturday afternoon and halted the Truck Series race after just 23 laps.
The Truck Series race will resume at 8 a.m. (PDT) today, followed by the Cup Series race at 11.
Tennis
VENUS WILLIAMS A WINNER >> Venus Williams squandered an early lead, fell behind late and then overcame three match points to rally past Kiki Bertens, 5-7, 6-3, 7-5, in the third round of the Miami Open in Key Biscayne.
Williams, a three-time champion seeded No. 8, will next face No. 11 Johanna Konta, the defending champion. Konta advanced with much less drama, beating No. 22 Elise Mertens 6-2, 6-1.
In men’s play, No. 2 Marin Cilic swept Vasek Pospisil 7-5, 7-6 (4).
Baseball
BIG NAMES DON’T MAKE CUT >> Washington pitcher Jeremy Hellickson, Cleveland slugger Mike Napoli and Cincinnati outfielder Ben Revere were among the latest cuts as big league teams reached a deadline to make roster decisions.
Kansas City pitcher Ricky Nolasco, Minnesota infielder Erick Aybar and St. Louis reliever Jason Motte also were released.
It was the last day for teams to choose what to do with players who became free agents after the World Series and later signed minor league contracts. WAINWRIGHT GOES ON DL >> St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright will start the season on the disabled list because of a strained left hamstring. With the longtime ace out, rookie Jack Flaherty will begin the year in the rotation as the fifth starter. HERNANDEZ READY FOR OPENER >> Seattle Mariners ace Felix Hernandez is set to start on opening day Thursday against the Cleveland Indians. It will be the 11th opening day start for the right-hander who was slowed in spring training by a line drive that struck him in the pitching arm Feb. 26.
PHILLIES SIGN TOP PROSPECT >> The Philadelphia Phillies and prospect Scott Kingery have reached agreement on a six-year contract for a reported $23 million. Kingery, 23, is batting .392 in 20 spring training games and is tied for the Grapefruit League lead with 20 hits. He hit a combined .304 with 26 home runs and 29 steals as a second baseman for Triple-A Lehigh Valley and DoubleA Reading last year.
NFL
STANTON SIGNS WITH BROWNS >> The Cleveland Browns have agreed to a two-year contact with free agent quarterback Drew Stanton, who spent the past four seasons with the Arizona Cardinals.
Stanton was originally drafted by the Detroit Lions in the second round in 2007. He has made 17 career starts in the NFL, throwing for 4,059 yards with 20 touchdowns and 24 interceptions.