Lewis Hamilton has expressed his belief that consistency will decide this year's Formula One World Drivers' Championship.

Hamilton started the Australian Grand Prix in pole position, but fell behind teammate Jenson Button and reigning champion Sebastian Vettel to finish third.

The 2008 champion was unhappy with his performance, but stressed that there is a long way to go in the season.

"It was obviously a tough race - but congratulations to Jenson, it was a great finish for him," he said.

"It would have been great to have had a one-two, but it just wasn't a good day for me.

"[I need to] refocus, get my head down, there's a lot of races ahead. These championships are all about consistency so that's what I'm going to focus on."

The next leg of the F1 season takes place in Malaysia next week.