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Formula 1

Christopher Bruce2013-03-17 14:39:56

Lotus Takes Surprise Win in Australia

Ferrari takes early lead in constructors' championship

 
 
Slideshow
Raikkonen had a great start by moving up three positions on the first lap

LotusE21Lotus E21United Kingdom, 2013 > 20136 photos
took an early and surprising victory at the Australian Grand Prix with Kimi Raikkonen taking the first win of the season, and his second win since returning to F1 last season.

Raikkonen had a strong start by moving from seventh to fourth on the first lap. Lotus used a two-stop strategy, unlike the three stops that the other top teams used. That allowed Raikkonen to move to first while the other drivers were in the pits. He pitted on lap 34, which put Alonso and Vettel in first and second. It didn't last long as Sebastian Vettel pitted on lap 37, and Alonso pitted on lap 39. Raikkonen cruised back to the top. 

The FerrarisF138Ferrari F138Italy, 2013 > 20138 photos
showed good performance for the first race with Fernando Alonso in second, and Felipe Massa challenged Vettel for third near the end of the race. He was not able to make it stick, but the team appears to have good performance early in the season.

Webber had a terrible start from second place and fell to seventh by the end of the first lap. By the end of the race, he was only able to improve one spot on that to sixth place. 

Of the top teams, McLarenMP4-28McLaren MP4-28United Kingdom, 2013 > 20136 photos
had by far the worst day. Jenson Button switched from supersofts to medium tires on lap 4 and raced with Romain Grosjean for most of the race. Sergio Perez nearly passed Grosjean late in the race but was not able to make it stick. 

There were also several retirements. Nico Hulkenberg had a fuel system problem that kept him from starting; Pastor Maldonado went off track and got beached. Nico Rosberg had electrical problems, and Daniel Ricciardo had a broken exhaust.

Australian Grand Prix Results
Position Driver Team
1 Kimi Raikkonen Lotus-Renult
2 Fernando Alonso Ferrari
3 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Mercedes
4 Felipe Massa Ferrari
5 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes
6 Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault
7 Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes
8 Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes
9 Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes
10 Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault
11 Sergio Perez McLaren-Mercedes
12 Jean Eric-Vergne Toro Rosso-Ferrari
13 Esteban Gutierrez Sauber-Ferrari
14 Valtteri Bottas Williams-Renault
15 Jules Bianchi Marussia-Cosworth
16 Charles Pic Caterham-Renault
17 Max Chilton Marussia-Cosworth
18 Giedo van der Garde Caterham-Renault
19 Retire Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari
20 Retire Nico Rosberg Mercedes
21 Retire Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault
22 Retire Nico Hulkenberg Sauber-Ferrari
World Drivers' Championship Points
Position Driver Team Points
1 Kimi Raikkonen Lotus-Renault 25
2 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 18
3 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 15
4 Felipe Massa Ferrari 12
5 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 10
6 Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 8
7 Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 6
8 Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 4
9 Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 2
10 Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault 1
World Constructors' Point Standings
Position Team Points
1 Ferrari 30
2 Lotus-Renault 26
3 Red Bull-Renault 23
4 Mercedes 10
5 Force India-Mercedes 10
6 McLaren-Mercedes 2

 

Encyclopedia
LotusLotus
E21E21
Engine
V 8 (90º vee)
Displacement
146 cu in
Top Speed
--
Transmission
7, semi-automatic
Maximum power
750 hp
Type
Single Seater
Fuel
Petrol
Fuel consumption (combined)
--
price
--
annual ownership cost
--

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