Mercedes has turned F1 into a borefest

Mercedes pushed for the current 'silly' F1 engine formula and they developed theirs years before the others. It has ruined F1.

After the last lap, there were just 13 spectators awake.

Daniel Ricciardo was among the drivers fearing for Formula 1's future after labeling as "boring" Mercedes' one-two procession at Albert Park.

Winner Lewis Hamilton and his runner-up teammate Nico Rosberg lapped all but three drivers in a Sunday drive that turned a race into a glorified Mercedes parade.

"I feel a bit for the fans," said Ricciardo, who finished sixth.

"It was a boring race. It was frustrating.

"You don't normally get too bored, but yeah I was pretty lonely out there."

Hamilton, from pole position, and Rosberg, from second spot, were never challenged by the dramatically reduced field of just 15 cars, which third-placed Sebastian Vettel said damaged the sport.

Two more cars retired before completing a lap and only 11 drivers finished the season-opening event.

"For sure it's not great for the people," Vettel said.

"(Formula 1) is a difficult challenge. It is complicated. Maybe it got a bit too complicated." Fox Sports