Hamilton provides F1 blockbuster

The start of Lewis Hamilton’s Formula One title defence could not have been scripted any better at the season opening Australian Grand Prix.

Yet Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger still felt compelled to add his trademark line when he surprisingly fronted at the podium following Mercedes star Hamilton’s dominant Albert Park victory on Sunday.

Hamilton did his best “Terminator” impersonation by blitzing the season opening field to clinch victory, lapping all but four of his Albert Park rivals.

And the two-time world champion almost upstaged Schwarzenegger after the veteran action star unexpectedly conducted the post-race podium ceremony in Melbourne.

“Wow, Arnold Schwarzenegger! I thought you were taller,” Hamilton laughed.

A chuckling Schwarzenegger interjected: “I am not wearing my high heels.”

The Austrian movie great then embraced Hamilton and added the words the Mercedes ace’s rivals will no doubt hear for the rest of the 2015 F1 season.

“I know what you will say before the next race so let’s say it together – I’ll be back!” Schwarzenegger laughed with Hamilton.

However, Mercedes’ dominance will be no laughing matter for rivals this year.

Hamilton led teammate Nico Rosberg in a one-two finish for Mercedes as the team extended it 2014 dominance into the new year.

Hamilton led from start to finish and beat his teammate by 1.3 seconds, with Sebastian Vettel finishing third on Ferrari debut – more than 34 seconds behind the Briton.

It was an ominous sign after Hamilton won six of the last seven races last year to clinch the 2014 world title.

Sure only 15 cars started the 2015 season opening race – the least in an F1 race in 33 years – and just 11 competitors completed the 58-lap Melbourne event.

But Hamilton’s Mercedes team still provided a weekend blockbuster that Schwarzenegger would have dreamed about in his Hollywood heyday.

“It’s an incredible feeling to carry on from last year,” Hamilton said.

Rosberg reckoned Hamilton was already “driving like a world champion”.

“But I will be doing my best to give this guy a big run for his money,” he smiled.

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