Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel celebrates with the winner's trophy on the podium following his victory in the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday. Photo: CFP Sebastian Vettel outmaneuvered -Lewis Hamilton and the world champion Mercedes team with a stunning victory in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on Sunday.
Vettel won by almost 10 seconds from Hamilton and Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas in a commanding victory of tactics and superior speed around the Albert Park street circuit.
Ferrari hadn't won in Melbourne since Kimi Raikkonen's 2007 victory Women's John Miller Jersey , and it was Vettel's second triumph in Australia after winning the 2011 race with Red Bull.
It was also a major fillip for the fledgling season and the new generation of quicker cars after Ferrari's superior preseason test times as they chase their first world constructors' -title since 2008.
The victory was the German four-time world champion's fourth for Ferrari and his first since Singapore in 2015 and his 43rd career win.
"A title challenge is a long way ahead. For now we are just over the moon at the start we have made here today," Vettel said.
Ferrari got the better of Mercedes in the sole round of tire changes which ultimately decided the race.
Hamilton's early stop meant he rejoined behind the Red Bull of Max Verstappen which allowed Vettel to open up a decisive gap at the head of the field.
"A big congratulations to Ferrari and Sebastian," Hamilton said.
Ferrari's Raikkonen was fourth with Verstappen fifth ahead of Brazilian Felipe Massa in the Williams.
Australia's big hope Daniel Ricciardo had a heartbreaking day with gear box problems ending his race on the 29th lap after he was forced to start from the pit lane when his Red Bull car broke down on the warm-up lap.
Hamilton, who went into the race on his fourth successive pole in Melbourne, got away safely and avoided trouble into the notorious right-hander out of the home straight.
But Kevin Magnussen in a Haas clipped the curb and slid into the -Sauber of Marcus Ericsson on the first turn. Both cars continued on in the race.
Hamilton grabbed a 1.5-second gap on Vettel after nine laps ahead of -Bottas, Raikkonen and Verstappen.
Hamilton made his first pit stop -after Lap 17 to change to soft tires on his Mercedes to hand the lead over to Vettel and rejoined the race in fifth spot behind Verstappen.
Vettel came into the pits to change tires and rejoined the race just squeezing in ahead of Verstappen and Hamilton.
When Verstappen came into the pits, Vettel had opened a 6-second lead over Hamilton at mid-distance.
Vettel extended his lead over Hamilton to over 9 seconds after 41 laps with the triple world champion seemingly unable to reel him in.
Bottas was pressuring Hamilton and was only just over 2 seconds behind in third place with Raikkonen struggling in fourth place ahead of Verstappen.
Mercedes had no answer to the pace of Vettel, who posted a new fastest lap of 1:26.638 in the final laps of the race.
Zhang Guanhui, impersonating Michael Jackson, dances during his street performance in Beijing August 20, 2014. Zhang, born in 1984, quit elementary school and has since held jobs as a factory worker, waiter, and security guard. After watching a Michael Jackson music video four years ago for the first time, Zhang says he became fascinated and now puts on shows on the street and small stages impersonating the King of Pop. [PhotoAgencies] Zhang Guanhui, impersonating Michael Jackson, dances during his street performance in Beijing August 20, 2014. [PhotoAgencies] A man watches a street performance by Zhang Guanhui, impersonating Michael Jackson, in Beijing August 20, 2014. [PhotoAgencies] Zhang Guanhui, impersonating Michael Jackson, dances in front of his house located in a village for migrant workers during an interview with Reuters in Beijing July 22, 2014. [PhotoAgencies] Zhang Guanhui, impersonating Michael Jackson, practices his dance moves at a bus stop as he waits for a bus heading downtown for his street performance in Beijing August 20, 2014. [PhotoAgencies] Zhang Guanhui, imitating Michael Jackson, checks his make-up as he prepares for his performance, in a dressing room in Langfang, Hebei province July 19, 2014. [PhotoAgencies] A bystander puts a money into a box after watching a street performance by Zhang Guanhui, impersonating Michael Jackson, in Beijing August 20, 2014. [PhotoAgencies] Zhang Guanhui, impersonating Michael Jackson, waits to cross a street as he heads downtown for his street performance in Beijing August 20, 2014. [PhotoAgencies] Zhang Guanhui, impersonating Michael Jackson, walks with an amplifier in a village for migrant workers, on his way downtown for his street performance in Beijing August 20, 2014. [PhotoAgencies] Pictures of Michael Jackson are hung on a wall in a small one-room house Zhang Guanhui, a Michael Jackson impersonator, in Beijing July 22, 2014. [PhotoAgencies] Zhang Guanhui, imitating Michael Jackson, performs during a small music concert in Langfang, Hebei province July 19, 2014. [PhotoAgencies] Zhang Guanhui, imitating Michael Jackson, performs on a stage during a small music concert in Langfang, Hebei province July 19, 2014. [PhotoAgencies] Zhang Guanhui, imitating Michael Jackson, is silhouetted as he uses his mobile phone while waiting to perform, in a dressing room in Langfang, Hebei province July 19, 2014. [PhotoAgencies] We, the Professional connect, are the professional in providing a wide - range of online management education and learning. The Company is marketed by professionnals in the tr. Wholesale Cheap Jerseys ChinaWholesale Jerseys From ChinaWholesale JerseysWholesale NBA Jerseys Free ShippingWholesale MLB JerseysWholesale Jerseys For CheapWholesale Cheap NHL JerseysWholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys ChinaWholesale Cheap NCAA Jerseys ChinaWholesale NBA Jerseys Free Shippping