Vettel holds off Hamilton to win Australian GP thriller

Sebastian Vettel won a thrilling duel with world champion Lewis Hamilton to steal the season-opening Australian Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne today.

The four-time world champion got the jump on the Mercedes ace off a miscalculation on the pit stop under Virtual Safety Car conditions and held off Hamilton for his second straight win in Melbourne and third overall.

Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen resisted a challenge from Australian Red Bull racer Daniel Ricciardo to take third and join Vettel on the podium.

"Obviously we were a little bit lucky today," Vettel said at the victory ceremony.

"Lewis did a great lap yesterday and deserved pole and he drove a very good race, controlling in the beginning.

"We got a bit lucky but we will take it. We're not yet where we want to be, I don't quite feel the car, but it gives us a good start, good wind and fresh motivation."
- 'What just happened?' -
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"At the end it was live to fight another day and save the engine."
- Alonso back in the fight -
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"Luckily it was Seb who got the luck and it was our team at least. I think I had decent speed all day long, it's just difficult to pass."