2018 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix Race Results - Sebastian Vettel beats Lewis Hamilton to victory

Contributor
James Pavey
2018 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix Race Results - Sebastian Vettel beats Lewis Hamilton to victory image

Sebastian Vettel claimed victory in a pulsating Australian Grand Prix after a race-long battle with Lewis Hamilton in Melbourne on Sunday.

Lewis Hamilton wins the start

The Mercedes star won the race to the first corner as the field scrambled for their own piece of real estate behind him.

Ferrari veteran Kimi Raikkonen had a go at passing Hamilton for the lead round the outside into Turn 3, but couldn't get it done.

Before too long, Sergey Sirotkin (brakes), Marcus Ericsson (power steering) and Pierre Gasly (engine) all dropped out of the race, before a spin to Max Verstappen changed the leading order.


MORE: Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel clash in press conferenceQualifying Results - Lewis Hamilton storms to pole

Haas drama catapults Sebastian Vettel into the lead

In a bizarre turn of events midway through the race, with Hamilton in control, Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean - both driving for Haas - retired within minutes of each other after making their pitstops.

The Virtual Safety Car slowed the field, and Vettel pitted. The speed differential sent the German into the lead, leaving Hamilton scratching his head.

The Safety Car was eventually called to compress the field so Grosjean's car could be safely retrieved.


 

Race results

Vettel held on to take his second consecutive Australian Grand Prix victory ahead of a distraught Hamilton, who sat in his car after the race to ponder how he missed out on victory.

Sadly for Aussie fans, Ricciardo couldn't overhaul Raikkonen, who completed a 1-3 result for Ferrari.

McLaren's Fernando Alonso finished an excellent fifth ahead of Verstappen, Nico Hulkenberg, Valtteri Bottas and Stoffel Vandoorne, with Carlos Sainz the last points finisher.

 

PROVISIONAL CLASSIFICATION

POSDRIVERTEAM MARGIN
1Sebastian VettelFerrari 
2Lewis HamiltonMercedes5.036
3Kimi RaikkonenFerrari6.309
4Daniel RicciardoRed Bull7.069
5Fernando AlonsoMcLaren27.886
6Max VerstappenRed Bull28.945
7Nico HulkenbergRenault32.671
8Valtteri BottasMercedes34.339
9Stoffel VandoorneMcLaren34.921
10Carlos SainzRenault45.722
11Sergio PerezForce India46.817
12Esteban OconForce India1:00.278
13Charles LeclercSauber1:15.759
14Lance StrollWilliams1:18.288
15Brendon HartleyToro Rosso+1 lap
DNFRomain GrosjeanHaasOUT
DNFKevin MagnussenHaasOUT
DNFPierre GaslyToro RossoOUT
DNFMarcus EricssonSauberOUT
DNFSergey SirotkinWilliamsOUT