Live: Sebastian Vettel wins Australian Grand Prix for Ferrari

Thanks for joining us for our live coverage of the first Formula One race of the season from Albert Park. Stay tuned on this website for full coverage and analysis from our team of motorsport experts. 

Here's more from Ricciardo:

"They cheered when I stopped on the warm up lap and when I stopped now during the race, they still cheered and I heard them still showing a lot of support. That makes me stand here now feeling a lot better about myself than if I didn't have that. It's been a long week, but they have been here from the start so I definitely appreciate them." 

"I've got a contract next year as well so I'm definitely back once more and hopefully that goes better."

Vettel and Ferrari celebrate.

Daniel Ricciardo says he's glad to be going home after a long week.

"Don't get me wrong it's been fun I just feel bad for everyone, the fans. I believe there are more people here supporting me than the others and I'm sure they would have loved me to get out there and race," he said.

"But it just kind of snowballed I guess from yesterday. The 15 [start place], the five grid penalty sounded bad enough but then obviously we had other issues.

"Obviously I'm disappointed today, but I'll wake up tomorrow and be fine and be ready to prepare and go for China." 

Ex-Red Bull racer Mark Webber has the microphone for the post-race interview. Hamilton doesn't look pleased but is gracious to Vettel who he said deserved the win. The crowd is very much on Vettel's side.

Here's the finishing order:

1. Sebastian Vettel - Ferrari
2. Lewis Hamilton - Mercedes
3. Valtteri Bottas - Mercedes
4. Kimi Raikkonen - Ferrari
5. Max Verstappen - Red Bull
6. Felipe Massa - Williams
7. Sergio Perez - Force India
8. Carlos Sainz Jr. - Toro Rosso
9. Daniil Kvyat - Toro Rosso
10. Esteban Ocon - Force India
11. Nico Hulkenberg - Renault
12. Antonio Giovinazzi - Sauber
13. Stoffel Vandoorne - McLaren
14. Fernando Alonso - McLaren
15. Kevin Magnussen - Haas
16. Lance Stroll - Williams
17. Daniel Ricciardo - Red Bull
18. Marcus Ericsson - Sauber
19. Jolyon Palmer - Renault
20. Romain Grosjean - Haas

Vettel is overjoyed and jumps into the Ferrari mechanics who are going nuts after the win.

Bottas, in his first outing for Mercedes, was just 1.3 seconds behind Bottas as the end of the race.

Meanwhile, a big section of fans have made their way onto the track which is a bit of a worry as there are still many cars making their way back to the pits.

Vettel crosses the line 9.9 seconds ahead of Hamilton. 

A big battle is now developing for Ocon, Hulkenberg and Alonso for 10th. Sadly for Alonso, his race ends soon after with what may be a suspension problem. 

Vettel is maintaining his lead and is on track for a win. He's pushed his lead to beyond 10 seconds.

Alonso has joined Grosjean, Palmer, Ricciardo and Stroll in retiring from the race.   

What's been noted by many at the track has been the lack of overtaking. Vettel is looking comfortable up front but Hamilton has clawed back a bit of time to be seven seconds down. Bottas, meanwhile, is less than two seconds behind Hamilton. 

Ricciardo's message to Red Bull was clear: "Sorry mate. Car is done. Let's get the f--- out of here."

Meanwhile...

 Sebastian Vettel has now opened up a 10 second lead to Hamilton, while Bottas is now just 1.6 seconds behind his Mercedes teammate who is off the boil.  Canadian rookie, Lance Stroll, has just retired while his teammate is still running strongly in sixth.  

Hamilton is now under pressure from new teammate Valtteri Bottas who is less than three seconds behind and closing. Further back, Alonso is running 10th but now a full lap down on the leaders.

Hamilton is now under pressure from new teammate Valtteri Bottas who is less than three seconds behind and closing. Further back, Alonso is running 10th but now a full lap down on the leaders.

Just 22 laps to go and Vettel has extended his lead to 7.8 seconds. It's still early but Ferrari really haven't put a foot wrong.

Here's a shot from earlier when Hamilton shot out to the lead from pole, only for Vettel to take control of the race after a brilliant pit strategy. 

A look back at the start of today's race - which is turning out to be a thriller.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner says Ricciardo's problem retirement looked to be caused by an "engine failure".

"It's not Daniel's day which is a shame for him," he said.

A flurry of pit stops sees Vettel regain the lead ahead of Hamilton who is six seconds behind. Further back are Bottas, Raikkonen, Verstappen, Kvyat, Massa, Perez, Sainz, Alonso, Ocon, Hulkenberg, Stroll.

It couldn't get too much worse for Ricciardo... but it just did. He's out of the race on lap 29.  He's climbed out of the car which stopped on the circuit near turn 4 after seemingly losing power.