'Race of his life': Bottas shows up Hamilton with Aussie victory

Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas has won the Formula One season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.

Bottas left his winless 2018 in the rear window when he passed Hamilton, who started on pole following his track-record time on Saturday, into the first turn.

The Finn was never headed and took home 26 points after setting the fastest lap of the race in a furious battle for the new extra point.

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Described as the ‘race of his life’ by Sky Sports commentator Martin Brundle, Bottas was in disbelief.

“I don’t know what just happened,” he said.

“I don’t know what to say! It was definitely my best race ever. I felt so good and the car was so good.”

Hamilton, while frustrated to have missed out on the win, refused to be disappointed.

“It’s a good weekend for the team. I’m happy for everyone,” he said.

“Valtteri drove an incredible race today, he deserved it. It’s a great race start to the year, more than we could have hoped as a team.”

As Daniel Ricciardo’s first outing for Renault ended with a mid-race retirement, his former teammate Max Verstappen put his Red Bull on the podium.

The Dutchman overtook Sebastian Vettel for third as Ferrari missed the podium.

Vettel gave himself a chance to join Michael Schumacher as the only drivers to win three-consecutive Australian GPs after starting from third on the grid after blistering test pace in Spain.

But he was passed by Verstappen on the 31st lap.

“Why are we so slow?” Vettel asked on the team radio.

Mercedes appear on track to win a sixth-successive constructors’ championship, equalling Ferrari’s record run from 1999.

Before the race, a minute’s silence was held for Formula One race director Charlie Whiting who died in Melbourne on the eve of the new season.

“I just want to say thank you Charlie. This one is for Charlie and all he did for Formula One,” Bottas said.

with AAP