Sebastian Vettel has caught a bad false start in his next formula 1 title hunt. The Mercedes-double-success of surprise winner Valtteri Bottas and world champion Lewis Hamilton, the Ferrari driver came in on Sunday in the opening race in Melbourne, the Fourth for the state. “The problems we had no, we were just not fast enough,” said Vettel, full of disillusionment and commented on the relationship of forces after the kick-off: “Mercedes is very strong and the Rest behind it.”
Also Red Bull driver Max Verstappen from the Netherlands was in Albert Park as a third faster than that of Hesse, who had won in the past two years in Australia.
With his first victory since 476 days Bottas took over the championship lead. For the fastest lap of the race, which will be the first rewarded in 1959, he got an Extra point. The 29-Year-old recalled on Sunday in the Grand Prix of Australia, the British defending champion and team-mate Hamilton is surprisingly clear with about 20 seconds ahead of second place. “That was the best race I’ve ever driven,” said Bottas. He could not explain his performance, but also: “I don’t know what happened, I know what I should say.” Team-mate Hamilton was sporty: “Valtteri is an incredible race, he deserved the victory.”
The biggest disappointment was Vettel who came almost a Minute after Bottas. “Why are we so slow?”, he asked his Crew a few laps before the finish – of the Box, the perplexity is not ruled: “We know it in the Moment.” At the outset of his Mission, to win at the fifth attempt, finally, to the title with Ferrari, had sobered the red camp. While the silver arrows and Verstappen in the green-and-yellow confetti rains on the Podium celebrating, had Vettel explain to his rumble appearance.
countryman Nico Hulkenberg finished in Renault square of seven, his Australian team-mate Daniel Ricciardo had to be home race prematurely after he left the Start-up of the front wing and a problem with the car.
Vettel was unable to put Hamilton under pressure
From the first major duel of the supposed rival for the title of the race was the first of the 21 nothing. The Start of delivery for Hamilton, not so, as he after his 84. Career Pole on Saturday was presented. The wheels are turned, the 34-year-old Briton was able to accelerate his silver arrow as team-mate Bottas. The Finn moved all over after a few meters inside, alone, which should have been good: last season, Bottas won a race, he must deliver this year.
Vettel could win at the Start, after qualifying disappointment with a ranking of three, with a lush distance to Hamilton – he had to fight back even against the first attack of his new team-mate Charles Leclerc. The 21-year-old sovereign of Monaco had easily claimed over the Grass, the 31-year-old Vettel. Afterwards, Leclerc like in the starting line-up rejoined behind Vettel and Verstappen.
So Ferrari had to try it a different way: As the first of the alleged winning candidates of the German came in for a tire change to the Box. Mercedes, however, reacted quickly, pure sought right after Hamilton to miss his car also new tires.
Bottas remained on the outside, but also with old gums in the meantime even the fastest laps of the race, before he won on the penultimate circulation, finally, the Extra-point. “Valtteri has come out of the Winter strong as a bear,” commented team boss Toto Wolff.
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Vettel was Hamilton, ultimately, to changing the tyre pressure and had to, instead, in the 31. Round of Verstappen overtaking. The title defenders, who had duped the competition in the Pole fight, wrestled in turn with the tires. “Lewis was not worried that he makes it to the end, and has the managing the tyres maybe over.” Hamilton and Vettel fought more with themselves, their cars and other competitors against each other. (dpa)