Mercedes' Nico Rosberg led from start to finish to win the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. Rosberg beat home-turf boy Daniel Ricciardo, who was placed second in his first drive for Red Bull. But this victory was shortlived as officials deemed his Red Bull had exceeded the fuel flow limit of 100L mandated by this years F1 regulations. This saw McLaren debutant Kevin Magnussen clinch the second spot and team mate Jenson Button came in third place while Alonso maintained his pace throughout the race by finishing in fourth.
With Lewis Hamilton on pole, it looked like Mercedes will again go for the 1-2 finish but mechanical problems which set in as early as the second lap, saw him retire from the race. It looked like Hamilton had lost a cylinder and with it the much needed power to carry on. Even defending champion Sebastian Vettel dropped out early clearly stating on the team radio that there was definite loss in boost pressure.
By the first turn the field was down from 22 to 20 due to Caterham's Kamui Kobayashi braking too deeply, and crashing with Williams' Felipe Massa, thus sending both into the gravel. Massa, obviously not happy with the incident, was forced to retire while Kobayashi admitted that he was indeed in the wrong. Three other less surprising retirees followed later in the race as Caterham's Marcus Ericsson fell out because of an oil pressure problem, with Lotus' Pastor Maldonado dropping out due to a turbo failure.
Lotus, qualified at the back of the grid but both the cars were out on track for 44 laps, after which Romain Grosjean suffered a KERS failure and a similar failure seen in the other car raising doubts on its reliability.
But all eyes were on the Finn, and no it wasn't Kimi. Valterri Bottas, who qualified 10th, suffered a 5 place grid penalty and which pushed him way back in 15th place. He was on his toes and worked himself into the top 10 before kissing the wall and losing a wheel on lap 10, the sort of accident that usually puts a car out of the race.
But nothing could dampen the spirits of this 24-year-old and he simply returned to the pits for repairs and got back out onto the track. He truly drove his heart out and hauled himself back in the top 10 and continued to charge on, eventually passing compatriot Kimi Raikkonen's Ferrari on lap 36 to move into fifth place.
He did manage to finish in 5th place. The other driver who impressed highly was McLaren debutant Kevin Magnussen. The Dane shocked many with his qualifying performance on Saturday, where he finished fourth fastest and even during the race, he remained focused and right at home and made an early move upto third. He kept his composure as he consolidated that position. He was indeed closing the gap between himself and Ricciardo but he didn't have much time left. But it was a drive that showcased immense potential and talent.
Nico Hulkenberg brought home his Force India in sixth, while the Toro Rosso duo of Jean-Eric Vergne eighth and Daniil Kvyat - also on his F1 debut - claiming a point for ninth place.
After a very Vettel dominated season, it was a refreshing to see so much talent make its way into the new F1 season. The drivers are still getting used to their cars and learning more and more as they soldier on in unfamiliar territory.
Rookies like Magnussen and Bottas showed the promising future F1 has and with drivers like these, the competition has just heated up. Mercedes still dominates when it comes to pace, but for how long?
(Pictures: AFP/ Getty images)
