Ricciardo faces disqualification

Daniel Ricciardo's second place finish in the Australian Grand Prix is under investigation, Fox Sports' Richard Bayliss reports.

Red Bull Racing's Daniel Ricciardo becomes the first Aussie to finish on the podium in Australia, finishing second at Albert Park

Nico Rosberg holds aloft his winner's trophy. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

Daniel Ricciardo holds his second-placer's trophy. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

Winner Nico Rosberg in his Mercedes this evening. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

Sebastian Vettel of Germany waits for the drivers parade. Source: AFP

Daniel Ricciardo of Australia in the Grand Prix. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

The car of Caterham-Renault driver Kamui Kobayashi of Japan, right green, veers off the track during an accident at the start. Source: AFP

MERCEDES driver Nico Rosberg of Germany won the Formula One Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne tonight but, in a sensational sequel, Australia's runner-up Daniel Ricciardo was facing possible disqualification over an alleged breach of a fuel-consumption limit.

Ricciardo had finished second in his debut for the Red Bull team, which reportedly said it would appeal against the threat of disqualification.

Denmark's Kevin Magnussen, in a McLaren, came third in his first F1 grand prix. For Rosberg, victory came almost three decades after his father Keke won the country's inaugural F1 event in Adelaide in 1985.

But it emerged tonight Ricciardo had been investigated by F1 stewards for a potential breach of the fuel-flow-limit rules during the race, and faced being stripped of his second place by the FIA motorsport governing body.

FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer had reported his concerns that Ricciardo's car "exceeded consistently the maximum allowed fuel flow of 100kg/h".

"As this is not in compliance with Article 5.1.4 of the 2014 Formula One technical regulations, I am referring this matter to the stewards for their consideration," Bauer said.

Under new regulations introduced this season, a driver's engine is not allowed to consume fuel at a peak rate of higher than 100 kilograms an hour.

Ricciardo had earlier been thrilled to become the first Australian on a podium since the country's grand prix became part of the F1 world championship in 1985.

"Two or three weeks ago, I would have bet pretty much everything I had that I wouldn't be standing up here,'' he said, referring to troubled pre-season testing on his Red Bull Racing.

"To the Aussie fans, wow – completely, completely overwhelming.''

Rosberg's 302.271 kilometres took one hour 32 minutes 58.710 seconds at an average speed of 195.059 km/h. Ricciardo was 24.525 seconds behind and Magnussen 26.777.

Rosberg had started from third spot on the grid but took the lead by the first turn and was never headed in the season-opener at the Albert Park circuit.

His Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton and world champion Sebastian Vettel sensationally retired less than five laps into the Grand Prix.

An eventful first F1 race of the season took its toll early, claiming Felipe Massa and Kamui Kobayashi on a first-turn tumble then the high-profile pair of Hamilton and Vettel with engine troubles. Only 14 of the 22 cars finished.

Starting on pole, Hamilton was overtaken on the first straight by both Ricciardo and Rosberg, reporting a lack of engine power.

The race and championship favourite was given orders to retire and save the engine but initially failed to pit before quitting after four laps.

One lap later, Vettel – who started from 12th place but slipped back to 16th with a lack of speed – joined him in early retirement.

Rosberg's Mercedes showed superior pace over the Ricciardo's Red Bull, with rookie McLaren driver Kevin Magnussen third and Force India's Nico Hulkenberg fourth.

For Massa and Kobayashi, the race lasted less than ten seconds with the Japanese driver's Caterham appearing to lock up and collide with the faultless Massa's Williams.

Kobayashi tweeted his apology shortly after: "Sorry for messed up it's just my mistake sorry to Felipe and CaterhamF1 all member!''

Valtteri Bottas was lucky not to join his Williams teammate in the sheds after losing a tyre on lap 10.

The Finnish driver scraped past a wall and lost his right rear tyre but was amazingly able to make the pit lane and continue.

With the safety car brought out, the speed restrictions collapsed the time separating the field from Rosberg in first to Sergio Perez in 17th to less than 10 seconds.

But after 29 laps of the 57-lap race, Rosberg had re-established a lead of more than 10 seconds over Ricciardo.

with AAP

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