Valtteri Bottas won the Australian Grand prix, first round of the 2019 Formula One World Championship. He managed to pass his Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton and practically led to the chequered flag. At the end of the race, the team even reminded Bottas that he was in the lead and has made the fastest lap so there was no need to push. The Finn adjusted his speed and the Max Verstappen got the fastest lap. Bottas upped his pace just enough to get it back and then triumphantly crossed the finish line.
It was a double victory for Mercedes with Hamilton’s second place
Verstappen got third. He was chasing Hamilton when he made a mistake and went through the grass. Fortunately for the Dutch driver, his Red Bull did not sustain any damage and he got on the podium.
Your full race classification from the season-opener ?
Best-ever finish for Leclerc, solid points for Magnussen & Stroll ?
Kvyat holds off Gasly for the final point ?#AusGP ?? #F1 pic.twitter.com/pVSiCkUhhw
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 17, 2019
Ferrari was not in a good form
At the start, Charles Leclerc attacked his teammate Sebastian Vettel and there was almost a crash. Later their pace was not great. Vettel even asked on the radio: “Why are we so slow?” There was no definite answer from the pitwall. The Scuderia drivers still got fourth and fifth.
START REPLAY ⏪
A close shave between the Ferrari duo…
Leclerc was millimetres away from clipping his team mate ?#AusGP ?? #F1 pic.twitter.com/tgJS19NWRe
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 17, 2019
Kevin Magnussen was sixth. His Haas teammate Romain Grosjean did not finish the race in a nightmare repeat of last year’s wheel disaster. Grosjean said he had a suspension problem but it looked liked the front left tyre was not properly put on the car.
LAP 31/58
A horrible case of deja vu for Haas ?
Grosjean’s wheel comes loose and he parks up to retire#AusGP ?? #F1 pic.twitter.com/taUw9DBVyl
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 17, 2019
Nico Hulkenberg finished seventh while Daniel Ricciardo with the other Renault got into trouble right at the start. The Australian went off the circuit and broke his front wing.
LAP 1/58
Bottas sprints straight past Hamilton into the lead! ⬆️
But it’s a nightmare start for Ricciardo, who loses his front wing ?#AusGP ?? #F1 pic.twitter.com/gE73nLtpqj
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 17, 2019
Kimi Raikkonen took eighth in his first race for Alfa Romeo while Lance Stroll and Daniil Kvyat rounded off the top 10.
