Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany (2nd L) sprays champagne alongside second-placed Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton (2nd R) of Britain and team mate Valtteri Bottas of Finland (R) on the podium during the Australian Grand Prix in Melborne, Australia on March 26, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

For the second year running, Hamilton started on pole position at the Albert Park circuit and placed second. Last year, he lost to then Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg, who went on to edge him for the world championship before retiring. This time, Vettel took the lead when Hamilton pitted for new tires on lap 18 and then got stuck in traffic behind Red Bull driver Max Verstappen.

Vettel was able to pit much later and gradually build up his lead as Hamilton drove conservatively on older tires to ensure he finished the race.

"That's motor racing," Hamilton said of the hold-up, adding it was his decision to pit and change tires. "A big congratulations to Sebastian and Ferrari.

"This shows we've got a real race on our hands this season and it's a challenge we will relish. It's going to be great for the fans."Mercedes won 19 of the 21 GPs last season, and Red Bull won the other two. But Red Bull was well off the pace in Melbourne, with Verstappen placing fifth — almost 29 seconds behind Vettel — and local hope Daniel Ricciardo failing to finish.