Nico Rosberg has won the Australian Grand Prix in an eventful season-opening race in Melbourne.

The Mercedes driver finished 24 seconds clear of Red Bull debutante Daniel Ricciardo, who took second place.

Meanwhile, McLaren's Kevin Magnussen became the first ever Danish driver to record a podium finish in Formula 1.

Sebastian Vettel's defence of his world crown got off to a bad start. After starting 12th on the grid, the 26-year-old German completed just five laps before pitting and retiring due to a loss of power.

Lewis Hamilton, who had started on pole, also bowed out early after struggling with a misfiring cylinder.

Fellow Brit Jenson Button finished fourth, while Fernando Alonso, Valtteri Bottas, Nico Hulkenberg, Kimi Raikkonen, Jean-Eric Vergne and Daniil Kvyat made up the top 10.

Full standings

1. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)
2. Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull)
3. Kevin Magnussen (McLaren)
4. Jenson Button (McLaren)
5. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari)
6. Valtteri Bottas (Williams)
7. Nico Hulkenberg (Force India)
8. Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
9. Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso)
10. Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso)
11. Sergio Perez (Force India)
12. Adrian Sutil (Sauber)
13. Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber)
14. Max Chilton (Marussia)
15. Jules Bianchi (Marussia)

Retired: Romain Grosjean (Lotus), Pastor Maldonado (Lotus), Marcus Ericsson (Caterham), Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull), Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), Felipe Massa (Williams), Kamui Kobayashi (Caterham)