11 Brilliant Moments From The Mad Australian Grand Prix

Nico Rosberg won a dramatic and action-packed 2016 F1 season opener in Australia, with the race featuring some brilliantly mad and funny moments

<h3>1. Lightning start for Vettel<h3>

Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton locked out the front row but a rocket-like start by Sebastian Vettel saw the Ferrari driver lead into Turn 1 – finally, a first lap that didn’t end with a Mercedes one-two!

Streamable via BottasWMR/Reddit

2. Quite a reaction

11 Brilliant Moments From The Mad Australian Grand Prix

The start prompted this reaction from Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene.

Kevin Magnussen’s stunning Renault RS16 (probably the best looking car on the grid) suffered a puncture on the opening lap, which caused a huge shower of sparks. This was the view from Jenson Button’s car.

<h3>4. Overtakes everywhere<h3>

We saw plenty of great battles and scraps in the early stages of the Australian GP, including these moves from Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas.

Streamables are via BottasWMR/Reddit

5. Scary smash

Image source: Pirelli
Image source: Pirelli

Fernando Alonso and Esteban Gutierrez made contact on the run to Turn 3 on lap 18. The collision sparked a massive smash for Alonso, flipping several times. You can see clips of the crash here, but this picture of what was left of the car proves just how brutal it was.

6. Flames above the Iceman’s head

Image source: F1/Facebook
Image source: F1/Facebook

Kimi Raikkonen was running well and looked set for a good result until his car caught fire and he had to retire. But he didn’t seem to be in any rush to exit the car, as flames exited the airbox above his head. Typical Iceman.

7. More intense scraps

11 Brilliant Moments From The Mad Australian Grand Prix
11 Brilliant Moments From The Mad Australian Grand Prix

The midfield pack was typically intense, with some fascinating fights, particularly involving the two Toro Rosso drivers. Max Verstappen was not happy to be stuck behind his team-mate, venting several times over team radio.

8. Stunning save

11 Brilliant Moments From The Mad Australian Grand Prix

More amazing drifting from Verstappen, he has some serious car control skills!

<h3>9. Vettel makes a rare mistake<h3>

The scrap for second place between Hamilton and Vettel was heating up with just a handful of laps to go but a rare error cut short that fight and decided the final podium positions.

Streamable via vorin/Reddit

Good old Vettel, he made a joke of throwing a cap at Hamilton before going up to the podium, recreating the famous ‘capgate’ from last year.

11. Podium pranks

11 Brilliant Moments From The Mad Australian Grand Prix

Ever the troll, Vettel then decided to pour champagne over former team-mate and podium interviewer Mark Webber – it’s good to see they get along now!

What was your favourite moment from the race?

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Comments

iWillGetAnR34GTR

I just hope Ferrari has the same pace they displayed today in actual race tracks as well. But today’s race was a glimpse to a great season to come!

03/20/2016 - 12:40 |
3 | 0
TheBeetleGuy

I miss one race and all of this happens? WHYYYYYYYYY

03/20/2016 - 12:43 |
190 | 0

I feel you

03/20/2016 - 13:14 |
6 | 0

I was on a party an all i was thinking about was about this race. I want to die now

03/20/2016 - 13:59 |
4 | 2

Yup me too. I hate working Weekends.

03/20/2016 - 23:16 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Even looking at the preview picture I can already see the madness XD

03/20/2016 - 12:45 |
0 | 0
ZombieJuice

oh so Nice that this is posted, i fell asleep during the race.

03/20/2016 - 12:45 |
1 | 2
rachmat_777

All these pics are upside down. What is this CT??

03/20/2016 - 12:50 |
92 | 0

Took me awhile to get that&#x1F602;&#x1F602;

03/20/2016 - 13:06 |
11 | 0

This guy….

03/20/2016 - 13:46 |
3 | 0

That is thanks to secret F1 anti-grav devices to counter flipping in the Southern Hemisphere

03/21/2016 - 12:11 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

I’m glad that I decided to watch F1 again after a two year break. The race was amazing, really happy about Haas, they did great! And I’m really glad that Alonso is okay, that crash was massive. I think I will watch the whole season this year lol

03/20/2016 - 13:03 |
13 | 0
On the Apex

Crazy stuff happen down under, you know…

03/20/2016 - 13:15 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Well. Thank you international trade theory exam for making me miss the epic season opener I have been hoping for for months and months.

03/20/2016 - 13:26 |
0 | 0
Dat Boi

Number 8
Dat drift tho

03/20/2016 - 13:46 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Good moment to live in Melbourne

03/20/2016 - 13:47 |
0 | 0