Kimi knows what to do!!!
Lotus driver Kimi Raikkonen won the Australian Grand Prix using a two-stop strategy, having started the race on the P Zero Red supersoft tyre and then completing two stints on the P Zero White medium tyre. His tyre strategy gave him a decisive advantage over all his rivals, with the remainder of the top six all adopting a three-stop strategy.Raikkonen's long second stint was the key to his race as he kept in touch with Sebastian Vettel and the two Ferraris, who led the race early on. Raikkonen remained out on track preserving his tyres as the cars around him adopted three-stop strategies, while Alonso managed to shuffle his way ahead of team-mate Felipe Massa and Vettel.
Massa faded in fourth after a very strong first half of the race. Hamilton was next up, having had to abandon his intended two-stop strategy and pit for a third time. Webber made a quiet recovery to sixth, just behind Hamilton, whose team-mate Nico Rosberg retired with electrical problems.Jenson Button finished ninth for McLaren, while Romain Grosjean completed the points list.
The Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne
58 laps, 307.574km., Weather: Cloudy.
Classified:
P. DRIVER TEAM TIME
1. Kimi Raikkonen Lotus 1h30m03.225
2. Fernando Alonso Ferrari + 12.451
3. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull + 22.346
4. Felipe Massa Ferrari + 33.577
5. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes AMG + 45.561
6. Mark Webber Red Bull + 46.800
7. Adrian Sutil Force India + 1:05.068
8. Paul di Resta Force India + 1:08.449
9. Jenson Button McLaren + 1:21.630
10. Romain Grosjean Lotus + 1:22.759
11. Sergio Perez McLaren + 1:23.367
12. Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso + 1:23.857
13. Esteban Gutierrez Sauber + 1 lap
14. Valtteri Bottas Williams + 1 lap
15. Jules Bianchi Marussia + 1 lap
16. Charles Pic Caterham + 2 laps
17. Max Chilton Marussia + 2 laps
18. Giedo van der Garde Caterham + 2 laps
Fastest lap: Kimi Raikkonen - 1:29.274
Not classified:
Driver Team On lap
Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso 40
Nico Rosberg Mercedes 26
Pastor Maldonado Williams 25
Nico Hulkenberg Sauber 1
After first race:
Drivers: Constructors:
1. Kimi Raikkonen 25 1. Ferrari 30
2. Fernando Alonso 18 2. Lotus 26
3. Sebastian Vettel 15 3. Red Bull 23
4. Felipe Massa 12 4. Mercedes AMG 10
5. Hamilton 10 5. Force India 10
6. Mark Webber 8 6. McLaren 2
7. Adrian Sutil 6
8. Paul Di Resta 4
9. Jenson Button 2
10. Romain Grosjean 1
