MELBOURNE, Australia (CMC) – Lewis Hamilton launched the defence of his Formula One title in style here yesterday by dominating the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park.Starting on pole, the Mercedes driver controlled all 58 laps to take the chequered flag in one hour 31.54 minutes, ahead of teammate Nico Rosberg in second and Ferrari’s Sebastien Vettel who was third.

Just 11 of the 20 cars finished the race with three ruled out even before the start for various reasons – most of them mechanical.
“It’s quite unbelievable, really, what this team has done. It’s a great feeling to start off the season the way we finished the last and the car is just incredible, so thank you to the team,” said Hamilton, whose paternal grandparents hail from the Caribbean country of Grenada.
“It was still a tough race, though, as Nico was very quick throughout. It was about managing fuel and also the tyres – trying to see how long we could push them. Once I’d built a two-second gap it was about maintaining it.
“But when Nico turned up the heat it was tough. He drove really well and it’s a great result for the team to start the season with a one-two.
“It’s good to see Ferrari back up here on the podium. I think they have taken a big step, so I anticipate a good fight with them this year at some point and we can’t back off.”
Hamilton was away nicely at the start and steadily built up a lead of nearly three seconds on lap 17, with Rosberg tracking from second.
The Brit pitted on lap 26 and Rosberg a lap later, leaving Hamilton with almost a lead of four seconds as the race headed to the midway point.
With four laps remaining, Rosberg reduced the lead to under two seconds but Hamilton drove steadily to complete victory.