Around Melbourne’s Albert Park yesterday, Vettel enjoyed a stroll in the sunshine as the Formula One world champion began this year as he finished last season, with a devastating, dominant display in his Red Bull.

Vettel finished 22 seconds clear of Lewis Hamilton in his McLaren, with Vitaly Petrov scoring the best result of his career by taking third for Renault to complete the top three.

But after taking the plaudits of the crowd as he stood on top of the podium, sadly for Vettel the large silver plate he was handed as reward for his victory lacked the symbol of Australia he wanted.

Vettel admitted on Thursday it is the simple things like that which are special to a particular race, but not on this occasion for the 23-year-old.

Regardless, Vettel said: “I’m not disappointed because in my mind there is a kangaroo on the trophy.”

Loving Australia, it is a race that will forever now remain in his memory, not least as he and the team had enjoyed the ride en route to taking the chequered flag.

“I am very happy because all of us, the whole team and myself, we had a lot of fun winning the Australian Grand Prix,” said Vettel.

“It is always very nice to come here. The atmosphere is something special. You do the drivers’ parade and see the people going crazy.

“To see so many people coming and cheering for our sport, that is something we don’t get everywhere.

“We really enjoy that, so we have to keep coming here. The sun came out, which had been missing all week, so it was really great, and the car was perfect.”

That was not quite true, as due to issues, Red Bull opted not to run with the KERS power-boost system that can provide an additional 0.5secs per lap, underlining the emphatic nature of his performance.

It was only race one, but the signs are ominous, although Vettel dismissed any suggestion of early superiority.

“I don’t really like the word dominant at this stage to be honest because there is a long, long way to go,” said Vettel.

“But we learned a lot of things, and it’s good coming here after a long winter and setting the pace.”

In contrast, team principal Christian Horner did use the ’d’ word to describe the drive from Vettel who has now won the last three races and four of the last five going back to the end of last year.

“It was a fantastic, faultless performance by Sebastian who has been dominant all weekend, which is testimony to all the hard work that’s gone in over the winter,” said Horner.

“To have book-ended the two championships by winning the last race in Abu Dhabi and the first race here is a fantastic achievement.”