Valterri Bottas, Mercedes win-less driver last year, started off with a victory this season.
The Finnish driver with his new beard and a winning attitude dominated the season opening race. He lead the race after over-taking his team mate Lewis Hamilton, who has won five world titles.
Bottas made his way to top at the start of the race, where his team mate Hamilton was a little slower. He was also able to take benefit of the newly introduced point scoring by marking the fastest lap.
The British team mate, who was left behind by Bottas, had to handle the Red Bull driver, Max Verstappen on his tail. He had to defend his position at second place.
Verstappen, who started at fourth, chased the Sebastian Vettel for third place at podium.
It was sobering day for Ferrari, where the Vettel and his team were unable to find the issues with their performance.
Vettel asked his team, “Why are we so slow?”
“We don’t know at the moment,” the team replied over the radio. This radio communication sums up the over-all weekend for Ferrari.
Dedication to Charlie Whiting
The F1 mourns the death of Formula 1 director, Charlie Whiting.
Charlie Whiting has been one of the top tier with greater influence on the sport.
Whiting, died at 66, was scheduled to handle this weekend’s race at Australia. He was handling overall matters of F1 and was designated as official race starter.
Bottas after winning the first race of the season dedicated it to Whiting: “Thank you Charlie. This win is for Charlie and all his work in F1. He has done massive amounts, so thanks from all us drivers.”
To whom it may concern
Valterri Bottas commented after the race: “To whom it may concern: Fuck you.”
“It just came,” said Bottas after the race. “I just wanted to send my best regards. That’s it, honestly, I didn’t think about it or have it planned. It just came.”
Win-less 2018 was hard on Bottas and he hit back on his critics by winning the first race of the season.
“Obviously there’s many people that support you. Honestly I appreciate it a lot with the people around me, supporting me. In sport there’s always ups and downs so you can really see the true support quite easily.
“And then through the difficult times there’s the other part which is a lot more negative and that’s their weakness, so it’s fine.”
