Valtteri Bottas dominated the Australian Grand Prix Formula 1 season opener Sunday, besting teammate Lewis Hamilton by over 20 seconds, while Ferrari failed to deliver on its winter testing pace.
Across the weekend, Hamilton had only been knocked off top spot in the first part of qualifying. Practice one, two, three, qualifying two and three were all topped by the reigning champion, but Sunday’s Grand Prix showed that all these count for nothing if you can’t convert them into victory. For the fourth year in succession and the fifth time in six years, Hamilton has failed to deliver from pole.
Bottas was clinical and brilliant throughout. Making a lightning start, Bottas took the lead from his teammate into turn one and never looked back. The Finn set fastest lap after fastest lap with the new bonus point on the line. Having struggled for luck throughout 2018, 26-points from the first round of a new season is the perfect tonic.
“I don’t know what to say,” said Bottas. “That start was really good. It was definitely my best race ever. I don’t know what happened. I just felt so good, everything was under control and the car was so good today, so it was truly enjoyable, and I enjoyed today.”
Bottas last tasted victory at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2017.
The introduction of a point for the fastest lap had been greeted with groans from the teams at the top of the order but, as the race drew to a conclusion, it became clear how valued the point was by drivers as Bottas, Hamilton and Max Verstappen all relayed to their teams that they needed to claim that point.
“It’s a new rule for this year so, as I had really strong pace, I wanted to go for that in the end and it’s always a bit risky with worn tires, but it was worth it. I’m just so happy and can’t wait for the next race,” Bottas said.
For Hamilton, second place is far from a nightmare start to his title defense, but he looked far from pleased with his afternoons work in parc fermé. As is typical when not leading the way, he questioned the strategy and whether his car had problems over the radio.
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