MELBOURNE - Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes vowed to come back hard in China after being ambushed by resurgent Ferrari in Formula One's season-opener in Australia on Sunday.

The German team, which has ruled F1 for the past three years, got a rude awakening as Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel beat second-place Hamilton by almost 10 seconds in Melbourne.

Three-time world champion Hamilton was runner-up in last year's championship to his now-retired former team-mate Nico Rosberg.

Four-time world champion Vettel's triumph overturned early-season expectations and raised the prospect of a Ferrari-Mercedes battle for the title over the remaining 19 races.

All eyes will now be on the next grand prix - in Shanghai on April 9 - to see if Ferrari can repeat its improved performance through Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen.

"If it wasn't already clear after qualifying, then it's certainly clear now that this is going to be a season of very small margins," Mercedes technical director James Allison said.

"Credit to Ferrari, they had a very quick car and we just weren't quite good enough to stick with them. We won't panic, though.

"It's race one of a long season and we scored some very good points with both cars in Melbourne. We'll be determined to come back stronger in China and make sure those small margins go our way next time."

Vettel's first win for Ferrari since Singapore in 2015, and his 43rd victory overall, has supercharged the season.

"This is just one of many steps and we have to enjoy what we do. It's great to see people smiling," said the German.

"Now we have to reset to go to China."

Ferrari ends wait

Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne said returning to the top of the podium was long overdue for the Italian team.

For the first time since 2013, a non-Mercedes driver leads the standings.

"It was about time," Marchionne said. "We've been waiting for this victory for almost a year and a half. Hearing the Italian national anthem again was very moving.

"Sebastian delivered a great race and I am sure Kimi will soon be up there battling alongside his teammate."

But, like Vettel, Marchionne is not getting carried away at the start of a season that ends in Abu Dhabi in November.

"It is absolutely essential to remember that this is not the destination but the first step on a long road that must see us all focused on improving each and every day," he said.

Shanghai will also be an opportunity for Australian Daniel Ricciardo to bounce back after his traumatic outing in Melbourne.

The Red Bull driver crashed in qualifying, was hit with a grid penalty and started Sunday's race from the pit lane, before his car stopped on the 29th of 58 laps.

"I'm disappointed, but it is what it is. I've been here before so I'll wake up tomorrow and be motivated for China," Ricciardo said.

"If any Aussies have a bit of energy left in a few weeks, then come out to China and you'll hopefully see a better race from me."

The weekend setback continues Ricciardo's run of terrible luck at his home grand prix, where he was disqualified from second place in 2014 for breaching fuel rules.

Agence France-Presse