Räikkönen places 3rd in Australian F1 GP

Ferrari´s Finnish driver Kimi Räikkönen secured third place in the Australian Formula One Grand Prix (GP) on Sunday.

Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel won the Australian Formula One Grand Prix (GP) for the second consecutive year beating Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton.

Mercedes reigning champion Hamilton looked on course for a comfortable victory in the season-opening race after starting on pole position but Vettel's pit stop during a virtual safety car period proved the difference.

Vettel's Ferrari teammate Kimi Räikkönen held off local hope Daniel Ricciardo to finish in third place and secure a near-perfect weekend for Ferrari.

McLaren's Fernando Alonso had the best drive of the day, finishing in fifth place after starting the day 10th on the grid.

"We got a bit lucky with the Safety Car," Vettel said following the race.

"Obviously we were a little bit lucky today but we take it.

"It's a good start and fresh motivation for the coming weeks."

Hamilton's title defence began perfectly; the four-time world champion got away cleanly and gradually stretched his lead until he was called in for a pit stop on the 20th lap.

The race was turned on its head when both Haas drivers, Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen, retired from the race while sitting in fourth and fifth on the 24th and 26th laps respectively with wheel issues.

Virtual safety car conditions were activated, allowing drivers, who had not yet pitted, including Vettel, to do so while their rivals were driving to a permitted minimum lap time.

A quick stop by Ferrari ensured that Vettel emerged from the pits ahead of Hamilton.

The world champion pushed hard to regain first place, closing the gap to Vettel to as little as 0.5 seconds, but was unable to pass the German and had to settle for second place.

It represented the fifth time Hamilton has failed to win the Melbourne GP after starting in pole position having won the race twice from that position.

"Congrats to Seb and Ferrari, they did the better job today. I had great pace, and I was able to apply some pressure at the end... it's an awesome circuit but it's so hard to pass," Hamilton said.