Sebastian Vettel leapfrogged Lewis Hamilton by a good seven seconds to win the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. The four-time world champion was unstoppable since the first pit stop, taking the chequered flag ahead of both Mercedes drivers.
This win was a vital boost for Ferrari, who went without a win last year, and showed that their pre-season form was here to stay. The Italian giants were the fastest in the pre-season testing, but lost the pole to Hamilton on Saturday.
However, Vettel made up for it to win his first race since Singapore 2015 and first in Melbourne after 2011. This was also Ferrari’s first win at Albert Park since Kimi Raikkonen – who finished fourth – won back in 2007.
Vettel’s commanding win generated quite a buzz on social media, as his peers applauded the competitive race, while fans celebrated Ferrari’s resurgence. Here’s a look at the best of Twitter after the thrilling Australian GP.
That winning feeling for @ScuderiaFerrari and Sebastian Vettel 👀 📻 🏆#AusGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/t2DKaVY8TK
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 26, 2017
STRONG win for #Seb5 👊🏼!! #Kimi7 P4 Great Team work ❤ #ForzaFerrari #AusGP #LaFerraridellaFerrari pic.twitter.com/G3xUEdj3Em
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) March 26, 2017
Even reigning champion Nico Rosberg was tweeting through the race.
Wow crazy Sebastian got Lewis! Didn't see that coming! #ferrariisfast!
— Nico Rosberg (@nico_rosberg) March 26, 2017
Congrats Sebastian/Ferrari. Respect. Could be a cool Merc vs Ferrari battle all season. You up for that? #f12017
— Nico Rosberg (@nico_rosberg) March 26, 2017
What other teams and drivers had to say after the season-opener.
Proud of these two heroes as well!
— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) March 26, 2017
👏 @LewisHamilton & @ValtteriBottas
We go again in 🇨🇳!! Come on Team 👊💪🙌#AusGP #F1 #F1isBACK pic.twitter.com/fiIq50MPdA
Overall great weekend! The team did an amazing job getting us to the 🏆. Looking ➡️ to a proper 🥊 ahead! @mercedesamgf1 📸 x @suttonimages pic.twitter.com/geLYqDXPiF
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) March 26, 2017
A double point finish + proving that you CAN overtake in Melbourne = a cracking start of the season for us! #AusGP #PinkInThePitlane pic.twitter.com/BWwCyQWN55
— Sahara Force India (@ForceIndiaF1) March 26, 2017
Great start to the 2017 formula one season @ForceIndiaF1 with both cars @SChecoPerez and @OconEsteban in the points. Well done Pink Panthers
— Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) March 26, 2017
For Daniel... not the #AusGP result anyone wanted ❌
— Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) March 26, 2017
On to China and another day to get that smile beaming! 💪 pic.twitter.com/j5iWDi4OYC
There were plenty of throwbacks as well.
Last time Ferrari won #AusGP was 10 years ago! 2007....
— Sky F1 Insider (@SkyF1Insider) March 26, 2017
We know how that season ended....🏆🏁@ScuderiaFerrari @SkySportsF1 #SkyF1 @F1 pic.twitter.com/nUmojLgxp8
Time is a great healer #AusGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/29GKOCDn3L
— WTF1 (@wtf1official) March 26, 2017
Seb and Mark #AusGP pic.twitter.com/H4B0BaQdpd
— Laura🏎🏁 (@andersonlaura12) March 26, 2017
We've got our first @f1 race champion of the season! 🏁
— Laureus (@LaureusSport) March 26, 2017
Congrats Laureus Award winner Sebastian Vettel! 🏎#AusGP pic.twitter.com/p6hBCcauLY
And we had the first meme of this F1 season as well – ‘Angry Toto’
Bad day at the office, Toto!! #F1 #AusGP pic.twitter.com/yqQf3JHyDW 📹 @Mattzel89
— F1Writers™ (@f1writers) March 26, 2017
Also my prediction: angry Toto is the first F1 meme of 2017...
— Giedo van der Garde (@GvanderGarde) March 26, 2017
The Hulk is still P12 & chasing down Esteban/Fernando. Meanwhile we're telling ourselves very sternly NOT to RT the angry Toto meme.#AusGP
— Renault Sport F1 (@RenaultSportF1) March 26, 2017
Toto Wolff - "ALL WE WANTED YOU WAS TO GET P2 BOTTAS!!!" #AusGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/GPH9sk2a71
— Chris (@ChrisJohnson_F1) March 25, 2017
Was Toto Wolff having a little tantrum there? I thought it's only his star driver who throws toys 😂 @MercedesAMGF1 #AusGP #F1
— C A R L (@CastingSA_II) March 26, 2017
Not the first time Toto has been banging tables. Remember this at the Austrian GP 😂 #AusGP pic.twitter.com/jUEqDZRcpD
— Ali (@TvvitterGod1) March 26, 2017
Get ready for a spectacular season ahead
Are these two set for an epic, season-long battle for the championship? 🤔
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 26, 2017
📸 HAM congratulates VET on his victory in Melbourne 🤝#AusGP 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/X8uFbXB9RH