McLaren’s Jenson Button drove a perfect race to take the lead of the F1 World Championship at Melbourne’s Albert Park on Sunday, keeping his head and his lead even when a Safety Car intervention appeared to throw a narrowly beaten Sebastian Vettel a lifeline. Button underlined why he is the new season’s man to beat by finding quick times when it mattered — first pulling away from teammate Lewis Hamilton after overtaking at the first corner and then building a 3.3s lead from Vettel following the Safety Car’s appearance on lap 36.

Button proves untouchable in Melbourne | Formula 1.com.

“Jenson drove a fantastic race,” said Vettel. “He was unbeatable today.”

“I’m pleased to come away with second. A lot of people would not have expected that. I was slightly fortunate with the re-start. I wanted to have a go at Jenson but he was too quick. Just two corners and he was gone.”