Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari wins the opening Australian GP

Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari beat Lewis Hamilton Mercedes to victory in the opening-season F1 2017 Australian GP.

Vettel drove cleverly and perfectly to claim the Scuderia’s first victory since 2015, with the newly inspired strategy combined with the new Ferrari car.

“It’s a great relief for everyone, and this is just the beginning said Vettel.

Hamilton, throughout the grand prix crossed the line almost 10 seconds behind Vettel with Valtteri Bottas finishing third on his Mercedes debut.

In the last 19 of the 27 season the winner of the first race of the campaign has finished to win the championship.

The race was decided when Hamilton failure to clear the Red Bull of Max Verstgappen.

Australian Grand Prix race result

1     Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari          1:24:11.670

2     Lewis Hamilton   Mercedes         +9.975s

3     Valtteri Bottasm Mercedes         +11.250s

4     Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari             +22.393s

5     Max Verstappen   Red Bull         +28.827s

6   Felipe Massa           Williams         +83.386s

7   Sergio Perez           Force India     +1 lap

8   Carlos Sainz           Toro Rosso     +1 lap

9   Daniil Kvyat           Toro Rosso     +1 lap

10 Esteban Ocon         Force India    +1 lap

11 Ncio Hulkenberg   Renault            +1 lap

12 Antonio Giovinazzi Sauber           +2 laps

13 Steffel Vandoorne   McLaren        +2 laps

14 Feranando Alonso   McLaren         DNF

15 Kevin Magnussen     Haas               DNF

16 Lance Stroll               Williams        DNF

17 Daniel Ricciardo       Red Bull         DNF

18 Marcus Ericsson       Sauber           DNF

19 Jolyon Palmer             Renault       DNF

20 Romain Grosjean       Haas            DNF