Complex sentence: Mercedes began the season with a 1--2 finish in Australia, resulting in a twenty-eight point lead after just one round, finishing over 30 seconds clear of third place driver Sebastian Vettel, who secured a podium in his first race with Ferrari.
Split into simpler sentences: Mercedes began the season with a 1--2 finish in Australia, resulting in a twenty-eight point lead after just one round. They finished over 30 seconds clear of Sebastian Vettel, who finished third and secured a podium finish in his first race with Ferrari.