27 Mar 2011

Vettel wins Australian Formula One Grand Prix

10:00 pm on 27 March 2011

The world champion Sebastian Vettel won the season-opening Australian Formula One Grand Prix for Red Bull in Melbourne on Sunday.

The 23-year-old German blasted off the grid and never looked troubled as he notched up his 11th career victory and third in a row.

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton of Britain was second with Russian Vitaly Petrov finishing third in his Renault for his first podium in Formula One.

"Thank you boys, fantastic race. Really controlled, thank you very much. Very cool. Excellent car, excellent stops. We learned a lot today," Vettel said on his team radio after crossing the line.