F1 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne
AFTER a frustrating Australian GP in which he was lapped by Lewis Hamilton, Aussie driver Daniel Ricciardo apologised to race fans.
LEWIS Hamilton has cruised to victory at the Australian Grand Prix, lapping Daniel Ricciardo in the final stages of the race in a strong warning of Mercedes superiority.
Hamilton was never headed after starting on poll as Mercedes made it another one-two finish.
Nico Rosberg finished about 1.3 seconds behind his teammate, but the gap back to Seb Vettel (Ferrari) in third was a whopping 34.5 seconds.
Ricciardo was passed by Felipe Nasr on the first lap and spent the rest of the day in a fruitless chase of the Sauber driver before finishing sixth.
It wasn’t the worst result given the trouble Red Bull had in the lead-up to the race — and the number of drivers who failed to finish.
“We got away with some points but other than that there’s not much more (to be positive about),” Ricciardo said.
“We got lapped so obviously we’ve got some pace to find.”
Ricciardo described the frustration of being unable to launch an attack on Nasr before apologising to fans for the lack of action.
“It was a little bit of a boring race,” he said. “I feel sorry for the fans.”
Ouch! Ricciardo on P6 getting lapped by Mercedes.... Yes 2015 will be great ... Not
— Sebastiaan Reurts (@Bazzzz1986) March 15, 2015FINISHING ORDER
1. Lewis Hamilton (ENG/MER)
2. Nico Rosberg (GER/MER)
3. Sebastian Vettel (GER/FER)
4. Felipe Massa (BRA/WIL)
5. Felipe Nasr (BRA/SAU)
6. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/RBR)
7. Nico Hulkenberg (GER/FOR)
8. Marcus Ericsson (SWE/SAU)
9. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/TOR)
10. Sergio Perez (MEX/FOR)
11. Jenson Button (ENG/MLA)
DNF Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/FER)
DNF Romain Grosjean (FRA/LOT)
DNF Pastor Maldonado (VEN/LOT)
DNF Max Verstappen (NED/TOR)
DNF Daniil Kvyat (RUS/RBR)
DNF Kevin Magnussen (DEN/MLA)
DNF Valtteri Bottas (FIN/WIL)
5.10pm — RAIKKONEN WITHDRAWS
THERE are just 11 drivers left in the race after Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen withdrew following issues with his left reer wheel.
The exit of Raikkonen saw Daniel Ricciardo move into sixth position as he continues to pursue Sauber’s Felipe Nasr.
The order of the top four — Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg, Seb Vettel and Felipe Massa — hasn’t changed.
Not good for Kimi. Unsafe release - stupid reason for a retirement. Looks like heads might roll (again) at Ferrari. #F1 #AusGP
— Sean Murphy (@SeanMurphy747) March 15, 20154.55pm — RICCIARDO FIGHTING ON
A PODIUM looks out of reach but Daniel Ricciardo is on track to pick up points in today’s Australian Grand Prix.
Ricciardo was in eighth position at the halfway point of the race, having pitted once.
Lewis Hamilton continues to lead the field ahead of Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg and Ferrari duo Seb Vettel and Felipe Massa.
Toro Rosso drivers Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz Jr have both had unfortunate races. Verstappen was forced to pull out — reducing the field to 12 cars — while Sainz Jr was held up for more than 30 seconds during a long pitstop.
Ricciardo is closing back in on Nasr for what is currently seventh. They're 3.5s apart with the Red Bull 0.5s faster. #F1
— AUTOSPORT Live (@autosportlive) March 15, 20154.05pm — MAD START AND WE’RE DOWN TO 13 CARS
Both Lotuses / Lotus / Loti are out of the GP already #AusGP
— Badger GP (@BadgerGP) March 15, 2015Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado have become the fourth and fifth drivers on the sidelines in a nightmare start for Lotus.
Maldonado made contact with Kimi Raikkonen during a chaotic start to the race and span into the wall.
Grosjean was also caught up in the opening corner melee and was wheeled back to the garage.
Lewis Hamilton nailed the start and is the race leader. Daniel Ricciardo is sixth after being one of several drivers to be passed by Sauber’s Felipe Nasr.
3.30pm — MAGNUSSEN FAILS TO MAKE IT TO THE GRID
Magnussen's car billowing smoke on the way to the grid. via @F1 #AusGP pic.twitter.com/yCKVpGFyBt
— F1 Madness (@F1_Madness) March 15, 2015MCLAREN driver Kevin Magnussen has joined Williams’ Valtteri Bottas on the sidelines after his car came to a smoky halt on the way to the grid.
Daniel Ricciardo’s new Red Bull teammate Daniil Kvyat has also come off the track and is out of his car as the starting field is whittled to 15.
Update on Dany Kvyat. He has a suspected gearbox problem, losing all drive and is unable to start the race. #F1 #AusGP
— Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) March 15, 2015A good stat for you folks. 15 cars represents lowest number of starters for a season-opening race since 1963! #F1 #AusGP
— Ian Parkes (@ianparkesf1) March 15, 20153pm — BOTTAS OUT, RICCIARDO MOVES UP GRID
DANIEL Ricciardo will start in sixth position on the grid after Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas pulled out because of a back injury.
The withdrawal of the Williams driver puts more pressure on stablemate Felipe Massa, who is now extremely vulnerable to attacks by both the Ferrari drivers, Seb Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen.
Woow Bottas isn't starting, what a shame #F1
— Pedro Matos (@DPedroM20) March 15, 2015Sad for bottas 😔
— Nick (@Rosario2022) March 15, 20152.30pm — RICCIARDO SETS RACE TARGET
HE’S a rank $34 outsider to win today’s Australian Grand Prix and local favourite Daniel Ricciardo is realistic about where he can finish in today’s race.
After qualifying seventh fastest behind Mercedes duo Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, Ricciardo believes moving even one place further up the grid would be a good effort.
“I think yesterday we optimised everything we could (to qualify) seventh. Anything better than that would be a really good result today,” he said.
“I know it sounds like I’m not aiming for much but don’t worry, if there’s any room to go up the grid I will.”
Mercedes is expected to dominate the race so the real interest will be in where Ricciardo finishes and who wins the battle for the third place on the podium.
Williams driver Felipe Massa qualified third fastest but Ferrari duo Seb Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen are looming just behind.
Get ready for first GP of 2015 season. 20 cars. 58 laps. All the glitz and glamour. Pulsating action.. #AusGP pic.twitter.com/sljnDgJ7BD
— Dharshan Jeya (@J_Dharshan) March 15, 2015STARTING GRID
1. Lewis Hamilton (ENG/MER) 2. Nico Rosberg (GER/MER)
3. Felipe Massa (BRA/WIL) 4. Sebastian Vettel (GER/FER)
5. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/FER) 6. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/WIL)
7. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/RBR) 8. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/TOR)
9. Romain Grosjean (FRA/LOT) 10. Pastor Maldonado (VEN/LOT)
11. Felipe Nasr (BRA/SAU) 12. Max Verstappen (NED/TOR)
13. Daniil Kvyat (RUS/RBR) 14. Nico Hulkenberg (GER/FOR)
15. Sergio Perez (MEX/FOR) 16. Marcus Ericsson (SWE/SAU)
17. Jenson Button (ENG/MLA) 18. Kevin Magnussen (DEN/MLA).
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