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

Drew Pera

Unfortunately I wasn’t able to watch it live, but from the highlights it looked pretty spectacular.

I really don’t understand the rule of no communications from the crew to the driver though, that seems odd.

03/20/2016 - 15:08 |
0 | 0

It’s an atempt to get the drivers racing again. The drivers were told what to do, what laptimes to run, when to push etc. etc. By cutting communications the drivers are on their own and simply have to race.

03/20/2016 - 15:37 |
4 | 0
Anonymous

Vettels new job…

03/20/2016 - 15:11 |
50 | 2
Josh Kauf

11 is actual bromance

03/20/2016 - 16:47 |
0 | 0
Ruwanga Wijetunga

Its amazing to see the respect between these guys on the podium. It felt awkward at times, but there’s some strict respect between them!

03/20/2016 - 17:36 |
1 | 0
jayive35

I must admit, I fanboyed a little when I saw Mark Webber on that podium.

03/20/2016 - 20:32 |
0 | 0
Logan Mince

I actually like how Haas did! How about P6 for a debut?!

03/20/2016 - 20:45 |
1 | 0
Smiller

The thing about F1 is it’s best when things go wrong, which is a problem because nobody want anyone to get hurt but then again we all want something to happen…that might make no sense?

03/20/2016 - 22:25 |
0 | 0
Marchel Kindangen

I’m sure Vettel would be win this race if there are not Rad Flag.

03/21/2016 - 06:29 |
0 | 0
Andrei Aa

No. 5 be like just brake checker things

03/21/2016 - 09:51 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

After how terrible everybody said the weekend was, this is a great way to watch the race!

03/21/2016 - 18:53 |
0 | 0