Australian Grand Prix 2011 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Sebastian Vettel launched his 2011 championship defense in commanding fashion at the Australian Grand Prix, converting pole position into a dominant victory at Albert Park to signal Red Bull's intent for the season ahead. The German driver controlled the race from start to finish, holding off Lewis Hamilton's McLaren and securing a surprising podium for Vitaly Petrov's Renault in a race that marked the introduction of DRS and Pirelli's high-degradation tires to Formula 1.

Starting from pole with a blistering lap of 1:23.529, Vettel made a perfect getaway and immediately established a comfortable gap over the chasing pack. The reigning World Champion showcased the devastating pace of Adrian Newey's Red Bull RB7, which featured significant aerodynamic innovations including an advanced exhaust-blown diffuser system. Vettel managed the new Pirelli tires expertly throughout the 58-lap race, never looking troubled despite Hamilton's persistent pressure. The introduction of the Drag Reduction System (DRS) - allowing drivers to open a rear wing flap for extra straight-line speed when within one second of a car ahead - added a new tactical dimension, though Vettel's pace advantage meant he rarely needed to defend.

Hamilton delivered a strong drive to finish second in his first race alongside new teammate Jenson Button at McLaren, demonstrating the MP4-26's competitive pace despite being unable to challenge Vettel's superiority. Petrov claimed a surprise podium for Renault in third place, capitalizing on excellent race pace and reliability to secure his first F1 podium. The Russian's performance suggested Renault could be best-of-the-rest behind the top teams. Button finished a disappointing sixth after struggling with the new Pirelli tires, while Ferrari endured a nightmare with Fernando Alonso finishing fourth and Felipe Massa retiring. The new tire regulations - designed to increase degradation and create more pit stops - immediately proved influential, with teams scrambling to understand the compounds. Vettel's victory set the tone for what would become one of the most dominant individual seasons in F1 history.