Track Torque: Lucky Vettel profits from blunder
It was Ferrari's 230th win to date.
Sebastian Vettel drove an excellent race in Melbourne on Sunday to notch his 48th grand prix victory and his 100th podium.
This time luck was with him as he came out of the pits in front of Lewis Hamilton, whom he had been following for the entire race, after a safety car intervention.
YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN : Track Torque: It’s all systems go for F1 ‘Down Under’
Hamilton had caught himself out through a computer glitch by Mercedes which had told him that he would stay safely in the lead.
It was not to be for the unlucky Brit, who kept the pressure on Vettel right to the end but just could not get by at a circuit on which is difficult to pass.
Vettel’s teammate Kimi Raikkonen was fast all weekend and perhaps a little unlucky to only finish third but it was a very good day for Ferrari all round.
In fourth position was an Australian whose luck had turned this weekend off a difficult start.
Daniel Ricciardo was lumped with a three grid penalty for not slowing down sufficiently during a red flag period, even before qualifying started!
He, however, turned his race around and really did very well to finish fourth after chasing Raikkonen very hard indeed.
Behind him was a very determined Fernando Alonso, who had quite a job keeping a very eager Max Verstappen at bay, in fifth and sixth places respectively.
Nico Hulkenberg was the fourth Renault-engined car in succession in seventh place while the other car from Enstone, driven by Carlos Sainz, finished tenth.
They had given a good display of speed and reliability right through practice and the race and, as the official Renault team, could become a greater force to be reckoned with.
Valterri Bottas, who had a major accident during qualifying, started at the back of the grid and did well to finish eighth.
In ninth spot was the other McLaren Renault, driven by Stoffel Vandoorne.
The Honda-engined Toro Rossos had been going reasonably well in practice but only Brendon Hartley managed to place, finishing 15th. We hope for better next time.
YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN : Track Torque: Rain stays away as Hamilton wins
It had been a good race at a very well organised venue but lacked the overtaking opportunities that would have made it really exciting.
It seems as though the aerodynamics of the cars makes it very difficult to get up really close to the car ahead for an overtaking manoeuvre?
Bahrain is only two weeks away and that is another ball game altogether.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
For news straight to your phone, add us on WhatsApp 082 421 6033
