- Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton finishes second
- Max Verstappen completes podium, with Ferraris in fourth and fifth
Valtteri Bottas took the win for Mercedes in the opening race of the Formula One season at the Australian Grand Prix. The Finn started in second but having beaten teammate Lewis Hamilton off the line, dominated from the front and the British driver could manage only second. Max Verstappen gave Red Bull and their engine supplier Honda cause for optimism for the forthcoming season by claiming third – in front of the two Ferraris of Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc in fourth and fifth.
Bottas, who struggled last season without a win, thoroughly deserved his victory in Melbourne. He established a strong lead and was unchallenged by any of his rivals. He also claimed the extra point for fastest lap – a new addition to the regulations this season.
Written by Giles Richards
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/mar/17/valtteri-bottas-leads-from-first-turn-to-win-australian-grand-prix under the title “Valtteri Bottas dominates Australian Grand Prix to win Formula One opener”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
