Postpublished at 07:51 British Summer Time 26 March 2017
Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer in Melbourne
![Podium](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/640/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2017/3/26/7d43b4a6-2683-490e-b9ab-466c7fe4a58c.jpg.webp)
Hamilton looks happy enough. He likes a fight and he's got one. Suspect he realises winning this might have been beyond him.
Vettel wins after leapfrogging Hamilton in pits
Hamilton second, Bottas third
Grosjean, Palmer, Ericsson out
Ricciardo, Stroll, Alonso also retired
Gary Rose
Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer in Melbourne
Hamilton looks happy enough. He likes a fight and he's got one. Suspect he realises winning this might have been beyond him.
Valtteri Bottas, who finished third: "First race with the team, thanks everyone. We have worked so hard to be ready. Everything went nice and smoothly but the red cars too quick for us today. We can improve from here."
Lewis Hamilton, who finished second: "A big congratulations to Ferrari and Sebastian, we struggled with the tyres and had to stop early as I was suffering with grip, but it is great to see everyone out here."
Race winner Sebastian Vettel: "Unbelievable. It is a fantastic grand prix. It was quite mad in a positive way with the people running on the track going wild with the Ferrari flags."
Mark Webber, Sebastian Vettel's former team-mate is up to conduct the podium interviews.
Lewis Hamilton may have sound miffed on the radio during the race, but he's taking this very well. He is wearing a beaming smile as he sprays Sebastian Vettel with champagne. I reckon he's looking forward to the fight.
Mercedes executive director Toto Wolff speaking to BBC Radio 5 live: "There is of course some frustration, but some you win and some you lose. Sebastian Vettel is a worthy winner. Perhaps we thought that the tyres was degrading faster than it was, you have to keep them in the right window and we have to learn the lessons."
Jack Nicholls
Radio 5 live Formula 1 commentator
It was not a classic race, but it is a change in the narrative from last season and that is what Formula 1 needed.
Sebastian Vettel gleefully leaps on to the top step of the podium, smiling from ear to ear. It's been a while.
11) Hulkenberg 12) Giovinazzi 13) Vandoorne
Retired: Alonso, Magnussen, Stroll, Ricciardo, Ericsson, Palmer, Grosjean
Mark Gallagher
BBC Radio 5 live Formula 1 analyst
There are fans are pouring onto the track with cars still on the circuit. A single trip or fall and it could be a safety incident.
It is great to seen the enthusiasm in the stands though.
Dennis Ethan: Finally it wasn't a false dawn testing for @ScuderiaFerrari, external Fantastic job today! The red car is back in the business!!!
Skylar: What a race! Congratulations on this long-awaited win
1) Vettel 2) Hamilton 3) Bottas 4) Raikkonen 5) Verstappen 6) Massa 7) Perez 8) Sainz 9) Kvyat 10) Ocon
Sebastian Vettel leaps out his car to celebrate a 43rd career win and first since Singapore in 2015.
Lewis Hamilton is straight over to congratulate his rival. "Next time," he says with a smile.
Oh am I looking forward to these two battling it out this season.
Jack Nicholls
Radio 5 live Formula 1 commentator
Fomula 1 is back and Formula 1 is different...
Mark Gallagher
BBC Radio 5 live Formula 1 analyst
That is a stunning result for Sebastian Vettel. He has had some tough times at Ferrari last year. It was a despondent 2016 for all of them in Maranello.
Crikey. The fans are so thrilled at seeing a Ferrari win they're already on the track to celebrate.
Brilliant from Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel. Got their strategy bang on.
Lewis Hamilton comes home second as Valtteri Bottas takes third.
It's all about Sebastian Vettel and the red car he is driving, though. Ferrari are back.
SEBASTIAN VETTEL WINS THE AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX.
The Ferrari fans are cheering as Sebastian Vettel starts the final lap. They're confident the win is in the bag.