F1 Season starts

[self_shattered]

A star is born down under as Lewis Hamilton secures third place on his Formula One debut in Melbourne, Australia whilst Kimi Räikkönen secures his first win for Ferrari.

The 22-year-old McLaren driver could have gone one better had it not been for Takuma Sato blocking his entry into the pitlane as they both came in for their second stop.

However, in an otherwise staid opening grand prix Ferrari, McLaren and BMW-Sauber all had something to smile about.

Räikkönen became the first Ferrari driver since Nigel Mansell in 1989 to win on his race debut with the Italian Scuderia.

Race engineer Chris Dyer was all smiles afterwards and confessed that the team had lost radio contact right from the off.

He said: "He's done an absolutely brilliant job and all on his own as his radio wasn't working."

The Finn, who had controlled the race from the lights and never looked like relinquishing his lead, confessed he was never under any pressure.

"It has been a splendid weekend. It was a good race for us, I didn't need to push too hard," he told reporters in the post race press conference.

He added: "The car was perfect. It's always nice to come and win in your first race."

Fernando Alonso, who for much of the race had been running behind his rookie team-mate, secured second place after profiting from Hamilton’s hold up into the pitlane.

Despite not winning, Alonso insisted second place was a good result considering Ferrari’s pace.

"I think it has been a good weekend," he said. "Ferrari were a little too quick for us this weekend. We need to work a little bit more if we want to win a few races. I think we saw a good potential this weekend."

Hamilton who became the first driver since Jacques Villeneuve in 1996 to lead a grand prix on his F1 debut, drew praises from many quarters but perhaps the most telling was from McLaren boss Ron Dennis, who was clearly caught up in the emotion and choking back the tears of joy, praised his young protégé.

"He did a really good job. He did an outstanding first grand prix," he said. "He’s made a lot of sacrifices and we are very proud."

An excited Hamilton admitted he could not be happier. "It has been fantastic. To lead in my first race is absolutely fantastic. It was all a new experience for me but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I couldn't be more happy," he told reporters.

Expectant fans and admirers did not have to wait long to see Hamilton’s potential, as the lights went out and 22 cars screamed towards Turn 1, in a blink of an eye, the double world champion found himself staring at Hamilton’s rear wing following a bold and daring move from around the outside.

It was a fairytale start for the youngster and a sign of what is yet to come.

Nick Heidfeld managed to live up to half of BMW-Sauber’s potential by finishing fourth whilst team-mate Robert Kubica demonstrated the team’s Achilles heal with reliability.

The Polish driver was forced to retire on lap 38 with a broken gearbox. "It was getting worse and worse and I was stuck in 5th gear," he said afterwards. "It was a good performance but it’s the results that count in the end."

Fifth place went to Giancarlo Fisichella, who once again was urged to push harder by his race engineer in an attempt to catch Heidfeld.

His rookie team-mate Heikki Kovalainen had a disappointing maiden race and never appeared to get to grips with his Renault. The Finn had several excursions across the grass verges before eventually finishing in tenth.

Felipe Massa was rewarded with sixth place for his efforts after having to start from the back of the grid, whilst Nico Rosberg grabbed to welcome points for Williams in seventh. Ralf Schumacher secured the single point for Toyota with team-mate Jarno Trulli just missing out in ninth.

But whilst the top three teams celebrated, Honda skulked away from Melbourne licking their wounds. Neither driver made any impression on Sunday, with Rubens Barrichello managing 11th whilst Jenson Button crossed the line a disappointing 15th.

"I had massive amount of understeer," said Button. "I think we have a problem with the front wing, which is a bit worrying. Not a very good day. It’s been crap today so let's hope it gets better."

The Australian Grand Prix could have so nearly ended in tragedy however in the closing stages of the race, after David Coulthard outbraked himself going into Turn 1 clipping and flying over the front of Alex Wurz’s Williams, only narrowly avoiding decapitating the veteran Austrian driver.

A shaken Wurz said afterwards: "I think it (overtaking) was optimistic. But that’s life."

The Red Bull driver did however hold up his hands and concede it had been an ambitious move.

"I was coming in too fast for the corner," he confessed. "Don’t think he (Wurz) knew too much about it. I take full responsibility for that."

As the teams pack up and head off to prepare for the next round in Malaysia in three weeks, Formula One has proved there is life after Michael Schumacher and his name is Lewis Hamilton.