Nico Rosberg wins F1 season-opener for Mercedes in Australia

A jubilant Nico Rosberg celebrates his superb victory in the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park in Melbourne.

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Triumphant Rosberg

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STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Nico Rosberg wins F1 season-opener in Australia
• Daniel Ricciardo finishes second but excluded
• Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel retires early
• Polesitter Lewis Hamilton also fails to finish

Germany's Nico Rosberg ushered in Formula One's new era with a dominant victory in the Australian Grand Prix Sunday as defending four-time champion Sebastian Vettel and polesitter Lewis Hamilton were forced to retire.

Rosberg finished 24.5 seconds clear of Australia's Daniel Ricciardo, with rookie Kevin Magnussen in third, the first Dane to occupy a podium spot at a grand prix.

But just hours after Australia's Ricciardo had celebrated a stunning debut for Red Bull in front of his home crowd, his dreams came crashing down.