2014 Australian Grand Prix Sunday - Australian Grand Prix
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Magnussen's the likeliest McLaren to make anything happen right now - not just because he's close to Ricciardo, but because he's quite a bit quicker than Button behind him.
Bottas nails Hulkenberg into Turn 1.
Ricciardo doing his best to shake off Magnussen behind him but to no avail - personal best sectors for the Aussie despite saving fuel, though Magnussen is just 0.6s behind.
The battle between Raikkonen and the Toro Rossos is still on, with the Ferrari closing back onto Vergne's tail for eighth again.
Red Bull reassures Ricciardo that "fuel is good", while McLaren tells Magnussen to save a particular fuel mode for the last two laps.
Slowish middle sector for Magnussen and he drops back a bit.
Rosberg's in this race somewhere. Ah, there - 24s ahead of this battle for second. Serene progress for the German with three and a bit laps to go.
EDD STRAW: "If Bottas finishes sixth, where he is currently, it will still be a little disappointing for Williams given how fast the car is. But it's a decent salvage job in the circumstances.
"It's worth noting that a potential haul of eight points is three more than Williams managed in the whole of the 2013 season. This is a big step forward for the team."
"It's worth noting that a potential haul of eight points is three more than Williams managed in the whole of the 2013 season. This is a big step forward for the team."
Raikkonen overtakes Vergne for eighth, and Kvyat closes right back in on both as he does so.
Red Bull tells Ricciardo not to be deceived by Magnussen: "Keep up the pace, he's saving fuel, we need a gap on him".
Ricciardo obliges, and his lead is just over 2s now.
Replays show that was another little slip from Vergne. Toro Rosso now tells Vergne not to hold Kvyat up if his rookie team-mate attacks.
Rosberg crosses the line to start his penultimate lap.
FINAL LAP: One to go for Rosberg. Commanding performance.
Magnussen's closed in on Ricciardo but he's not taken chunks of time out of him.
"Last lap now," Mercedes tells Rosberg, who will take that as a relief.
Alonso sets a personal best lap of the race and goes quickest of anyone in sector three. Bizarre time to do it, 3.5s behind Button.
Trophy
NICO ROSBERG WINS THE AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX!
There's no late drama in the fight for second, with Ricciardo - to a standing ovation - finishing second on his Red Bull debut. Kevin Magnussen is third ahead of team-mate Jenson Button, with Alonso rounding out the top five.
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Rosberg waves to the fans, and gushes to his team on the radio. "Brilliant stuff, what a car you've given me - what a car. Unbelievable".
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"Absolutely sensational. Awesome all weekend," is the message to Magnussen from McLaren.
Checkered flag
Australian Grand Prix result:
1. Rosberg
2. Ricciardo
3. Magnussen
4. Button
5. Alonso
6. Bottas
7. Hulkenberg
8. Raikkonen
9. Vergne
10. Kvyat
11. Perez
12. Sutil
13. Gutierrez
14. Chilton
15. Bianchi*
*Not classified, but running at the flag.
1. Rosberg
2. Ricciardo
3. Magnussen
4. Button
5. Alonso
6. Bottas
7. Hulkenberg
8. Raikkonen
9. Vergne
10. Kvyat
11. Perez
12. Sutil
13. Gutierrez
14. Chilton
15. Bianchi*
*Not classified, but running at the flag.
Rosberg and Magnussen are out the car and jubilant - and in comes Ricciardo too.
Hugs for Rosberg, jubilation for Mercedes. Thumbs up from Ricciardo to the crowd outside.
Magnussen looks shocked. He's not really doing...anything. You're a grand prix podium finisher, smile!
Delight for all three as they take to the podium - out rings the German national anthem now.
That's the first time we've ever seen the Danish flag hanging on the podium.
Ricciardo, to everyone's shock, is smiling away on the other side of Rosberg.
Ricciardo, to everyone's shock, is smiling away on the other side of Rosberg.
Rosberg receives his winner's trophy, lifts it aloft - and roars out. He knows what a boost this is.
Ricciardo kisses his trophy and that grin's going to fly off his face if he's not careful...
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Button points out something very encouraging for McLaren: "We must be leading the constructors' championship... First time in a while!"
Now Magnussen lifts his third-place trophy aloft and his grin is equally as wide.
The champagne sprays for Rosberg, Ricciardo and Magnussen - a terrific trio of drivers to land those podium spots.
Would you have guessed that before the race start?
Would you have guessed that before the race start?
A quick look over the rest of the finishing order, and Button did well to recover to fourth. Alonso's run to fifth was somewhat muted, and Bottas will rue that knock on the wall despite landing sixth.
Hulkenberg excels again to drag the Force India to seventh, but it was a tough Ferrari return for Raikkonen in eighth and possible disappointment for Toro Rosso, with their drivers slipping to the foot of the top 10. But a point on his debut for Kvyat, so he must be chuffed with that.
Hulkenberg excels again to drag the Force India to seventh, but it was a tough Ferrari return for Raikkonen in eighth and possible disappointment for Toro Rosso, with their drivers slipping to the foot of the top 10. But a point on his debut for Kvyat, so he must be chuffed with that.
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Bottas to Williams: "Sorry about the mistake. I'll learn from it." He thanks the team for all its efforts.
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Rosberg credits Mercedes on the podium and gets a cheer, but the noise is mostly reserved for Ricciardo.
"Completely overwhelming, no words," he says.
"Completely overwhelming, no words," he says.
Alan Jones, conducting the podium interviews, tells Ricciardo "you've done us all proud". Australia, judging by the noise, agrees.
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Rosberg dominates, Vettel and Hamilton retire
Seven retirees from that race and one non-classified finisher in Jules Bianchi.
Sebastian Vettel and poleman Lewis Hamilton were the most high-profile non-finishers, with neither Lotus making it to the flag either.
They gave it a good go though, didn't they?
Sebastian Vettel and poleman Lewis Hamilton were the most high-profile non-finishers, with neither Lotus making it to the flag either.
They gave it a good go though, didn't they?
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Marussia to Bianchi: "Sorry about that mate, we'll be better in Malaysia."
Many, many good drives in that race - but who was your star performer?
Get in touch via live@autosport.com, or #autosportlive on Twitter.
Get in touch via live@autosport.com, or #autosportlive on Twitter.
By: Matt Beer, Edd Straw, Ben Anderson, Jonathan Noble, Scott Mitchell, Andrew van Leeuwen
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