How did Mercedes get it so wrong in Melbourne? Number crunching the Australian Grand Prix

Ferrari's German driver Sebastian Vettel (front) leads Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton during the Formula One Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne
Vettel took advantage of Mercedes' miscalculation to win the season opener Credit: AFP/Getty Images

As Lewis Hamilton took pole for Sunday's Australian Grand Prix by over half-a-second, there would have been worry in the paddock that not only is the Mercedes going to be the dominant car again but that Hamilton will be unbeatable. But that was not borne out in Sunday's race.

Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel capitalised on a timely Virtual Safety Car and a Mercedes error to take the win for the second year in a row.  

How did it work out so well for Ferrari? And what else have we learned now that the chequered flag has been waved in Melbourne?

Virtual Safety Car gains for Vettel

At the end of lap 18, Vettel's Ferrari was 8.204 seconds behind Lewis Hamilton's first-placed Mercedes. He had just moved...

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