Kimi Räikkönen Takes First Victory Of 2013 At Albert Park

Lotus' Kimi Räikkonen has won the first race of the 2013 Formula 1 campaign at Melbourne's Albert Park. The Finn, who was on a two-stop strategy, managed to stay ahead of Ferrari's Fernando Alonso and the reigning F1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel in the final part of the race.

Starting from seventh on the grid, Räikkönen managed to overtake Mark Webber and both Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg in the early laps of the race. Carefully managing his tyres behind the Ferraris and Sebastian Vettel's Red Bull, he waited for the right time to put the team's strategic plan to work. With Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel on a three-stop strategy, Lotus applied a two-stop strategy for Räikkönen, which enabled them to take over the lead in the final part of the race.

In the closing laps of the race, Räikkönen pulled away from Fernando Alonso to take his 20th win and his 70th podium finish in Formula 1.

If you want to win, hire a Finn... Here's our Race Report from Melbourne 2013 --> lotusf1team.com/first-race-fir… #Kimi #F1 #LotusF1Team
— Lotus F1 Team (@Lotus_F1Team) March 17, 2013

All smiles from #Kimi as he collects the silverware; that's one happy #Iceman! #F1 #WeBeatYou yfrog.com/mmzdcedj
— Lotus F1 Team (@Lotus_F1Team) March 17, 2013

;