Melbourne, March 20 (IANS): Nico Rosberg of Mercedes celebrated winning the first race of the Formula One Grand Prix season here on Sunday, beating runner-up Lewis Hamilton after two-time champion driver Fernando Alonso (McLaren) crashed while trying to pass Esteban Gutierrez (Haas) on the 17th lap.

Force India's Nico Hulkenberg was seventh and team-mate Sergio Perez was 13th.

"It's been a great weekend. Thank you to the team. They've done an unbelievable job giving us this incredible car," said Rosberg from the winner's podium, reports Efe.

The German Mercedes driver crossed the Albert Park circuit finish line at s time of 1:48.15, ahead of his British team-mate Hamilton, Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo.

Formula 1 spectators have speculated on social media that the terrifying crash of the Spanish driver Alonso altered the results.

Alonso, who on Turn 3 collided with the back of Mexican Gutierrez's Haas vehicle, had crashed against the wall and emerged shakily from wrecked car, after which a break was called that allegedly affected the 19-lap gain Vettel had made on the other racers.

Though the race was over for the Spanish racer, "Fernando has visited the medical centre and has been formally okayed by doctors," confirmed McLaren in a Twitter post.