Sebastian Vettel wins in Australia

The 27 races without victories for the Team Ferrari are now forgotten. With the success of Sebastian Vettel (his 43rd career) this Sunday for the first event of the 2017 season on the Albert Park track in Melbourne, Australia, the Italian team puts an end to a long period of drought after having maneuvered perfectly against its rival Mercedes.

After two formation laps, the pole sitter Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) easily maintains the advantage against the SF70H of Sebastian Vettel at the lights, the two drivers preceding Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes), Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari), Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and Felipe Massa (Williams), who had taken the best of Romain Grosjean (Haas). Further in the peloton, Kevin Magnussen (Haas) sends Marcus Ericsson (Sauber) into the gravel trap of turn 3.

Romain Grosjean's race will, however, end prematurely on the 15th lap after a mechanical problem on his VF17.

During the first stint, Vettel maintained constant pressure against Hamilton, regularly remaining below the second against the Briton. If the Mercedes driver finally manages to open up a small gap, his German rival remains threatening until the first pit stops. Behind the two leaders, Valtteri Bottas and Kimi Räikkönen observe each other from a distance in the fight for the podium.

A single decisive stop

Mercedes finally decided to recall leader Hamilton to the pits at the end of the 17th lap, leaving Vettel to take control of the race. Bad choice for the world champion team, since Hamilton, starting behind Verstappen's Red Bull, will lose a lot of time despite his new soft tires.

Sebastian Vettel stopped in the pits at the end of the 23rd lap, and the Ferrari driver barely managed to restart in front of the Verstappen – Hamilton tandem. After Räikkönen's stop, the quadruple world champion, starting on a one-stop strategy like all the favorites, will work to preserve his lead until the finish.

Hamilton and Bottas completed the podium ahead of the second Ferrari of Kimi Räikkönen who resisted until the end the return of Max Verstappen (Red Bull), the only RB13 to finish after the setbacks of Daniel Ricciardo.

The Australian, penalized five places for a gearbox change after his accident in qualifying, was unable to rejoin the grid before the start, the victim of a mechanical problem. If Ricciardo will ultimately be sent back to the track two laps late, the Australian will not complete his home Grand Prix, after stopping at the side of the track on the 29th lap.

A point brings happinessEsteban Ocon

Behind the top 5, Felipe Massa hoists his Williams into sixth position, and precedes the Force India of Sergio Pérez. THE Toro Rosso de Carlos Sainz and Daniil Kvyat finished 8th and 9th ahead Esteban Ocon (Force India) who scores points for the first time in his career with his new team.

The Frenchman got rid of the McLaren MCL32 Fernando Alonso in the final laps of the Grand Prix and leads Nico Hulkenberg (Renault) who fails to score points with his R.S. 17.

Antonio Giovinazzi (Sauber) saw the finish for his first Grand Prix and finished 12th ahead of the McLaren of Stoffel Vandoorne, the last driver to cross the finish line.

Fernando Alonso is part of the list of drivers forced to retire, with Kevin Magnussen, victim of a suspension problem, Lance stroll (Williams), Daniel Ricciardo, Marcus Ericsson, Jolyon Palmer (Renault), visibly the victim of a brake problem, and Romain Grosjean.

PROVISIONAL CLASSIFICATION (LAP 57/57): First blood to @ScuderiaFerrari #AusGP  #F1 pic.twitter.com/i6ZYu7kmcv

— Formula 1 (@F1) March 26, 2017

Australian Grand Prix standings

Find the full report and analysis of the Australian Grand Prix, produced by our special correspondents in Melbourne, in issue 2107 of AUTOhebdo, available from tomorrow evening in digital version, and from this Wednesday on newsstands.