Australian Grand Prix 2014 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Nico Rosberg claimed victory in the first race of Formula 1's hybrid era, defeating McLaren's rookie Kevin Magnussen and Jenson Button in a stunning result at Albert Park. Lewis Hamilton had started from pole position but retired from the lead with a power unit failure, handing victory to his Mercedes teammate. The race marked a new chapter in F1 history with the introduction of 1.6-litre turbocharged V6 hybrid power units, immediately demonstrating Mercedes' overwhelming technical advantage.

The race was notable for McLaren's surprising pace, with Magnussen producing a sensational F1 debut to finish second ahead of his experienced teammate Button. The rookie's performance suggested McLaren might challenge Mercedes, though this optimism would prove fleeting. Sebastian Vettel's Red Bull could only manage fourth, highlighting how the new regulations had transformed the competitive order and ended Red Bull's era of dominance.

Rosberg's victory, complete with fastest lap, launched both his championship challenge and Mercedes' unprecedented dominance in the turbo-hybrid era. Hamilton's retirement was a cruel blow, costing him 25 points to his teammate in the opening round. The Australian Grand Prix established the narrative that would define 2014 - Mercedes' technical supremacy and the intense intra-team battle between Hamilton and Rosberg that would captivate the season.