Formula 1: Kimi Räikkönen triumphant in season opener
Dream start to new season: Lotus-Renault driver Kimi Räikkönen celebrated a dominant victory in the Formula 1 opener in Melbourne, Australia. The Finn, whose car is equipped with a ZF clutch, drove from seventh on the grid to claim the 20th Formula 1 victory of his career using a clever two-stop strategy. After 58 laps, he held a 12.451 second advantage over his nearest challenger. Räikkönen crowned his weekend by setting the fastest race lap in the closing stages of the race. Team mate Romain Grosjean also scored a point for Lotus-Renault by finishing tenth overall.
Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso, who relies on dampers supplied by ZF Friedrichshafen AG, finished second in Melbourne. His Brazilian team mate Felipe Massa also scored important championship points and, in doing so, saw that Ferrari leads the Manufacturers’ Championship by four points from Lotus-Renault after the first race.
Result GP Australia (AUS), round 1, FIA Formula 1 World Championship, 15.03–17.03.2013:
1. Kimi Räikkönen, Lotus-Renault, 1h 30m 3.225s, ZF
2. Fernando Alonso, Ferrari, + 12.451s, ZF
3. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull-Renault, + 22.346s
4. Felipe Massa, Ferrari, + 33.577s, ZF
5. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, + 45.561s
6. Mark Webber, Red Bull-Renault, + 46.800s
7. Adrian Sutil, Force India-Mercedes, + 1m 5.068s
8. Paul di Resta, Force India-Mercedes, + 1m 8.449s
9. Jenson Button, McLaren-Mercedes, + 1m 21.630s
10. Romain Grosjean, Lotus-Renault, + 1m 22.759s, ZF
Drivers’ World Championship standings:
1. K. Räikkönen, 25 points; 2. F. Alonso, 18; 3. S. Vettel, 15; 4. F. Massa, 12; 5. L. Hamilton, 10; 6. M. Webber, 8; 7. A. Sutil, 6; 8. P. di Resta, 4; 9. J. Button, 2; 10. R. Grosjean, 1.
Manufacturers’ World Championship standings:
1. Ferrari, 30 points; 2. Lotus-Renault, 26; 3. Red Bull-Renault, 23; 4. Mercedes and Force India-Mercedes, 10; 6. McLaren-Mercedes, 2.