In a new era punctuated by the absence of traction control and assisted engine breaking, the opening round of the 18-roud FIA Formula 1 World Championship at the Albert Park Grand Prix circuit in Melbourne, Australia was shrouded in the great unknown. And it was also shrouded in heat, the eleven teams making of the 2008 world tour rolling up to the starting grid in 99-degree heat. When the race began and the drivers released their hand operated clutches to leap off the line, it was pole sitter Lewis Hamilton and his McLaren-Mercedes MP4-23 leading into the first turn, the white front nose of Robert Kubica’s BMW mere inches from the rear of the Silver Arrow. Immediately behind, all hell broke loose when Felipe Massa’s Ferrari spun on the inside of turn 1 and wound up off the track. Moreover, in what resulted in a disastrous first turn melee, Sebastian Vettel (Toro Rosso), Giancarlo Fisichella (Force India), Mark Webber (Red Bull), Anthony Davidson (Super Aguri) and Jenson Button (Honda) all fell victim to flying debris, off track journeys and various other mistakes. As the mess was sorted out, Hamilton held sway over a chasing Kubica, Heikki Kovalainen, Nico Rosberg, Nick Heidfeld and Toyota’s Jarno Trulli. Meanwhile, a bit further back, Kimi Raikkonen had left the line in 16th place and in a series of brilliant maneuvers, powered his way up to eighth, just behind the Honda of Rubens Barrichello. The reigning World Champion’s progress came to a screeching halt, however, as Barrichello left the Finn’s Ferrari in his mirrors for 18 laps. Jarno Trulli’s Toyota TF108 was running well until he pitted and the ca sputtered to a halt, thwarted by electrical ills. Due to a nasty tangle on lap number 25 between Massa and Red Bull’s David Coulthard, the safety car was called out onto the circuit, and when it was called back into the paddock, Hamilton put the hammer down and raced away to victory finishing well clear of runner-up Nick Heidfeld and Nico Rosberg, who scored his fort Formula 1 podium. Fernando Alonso put his Renault into fourth while Kovalainen was fifth. Rubens Barrichello drove a great race to place sixth, but was later disqualified for leaving the pits during a red light.

Australian Grand Prix results:

1) Hamilton, McLaren-Mercedes , 1h34:50.616
2) Heidfeld, BMW Sauber , + 5.478
3) Rosberg, Williams-Toyota , + 8.163
4) Alonso, Renault , + 17.181
5) Kovalainen, McLaren-Mercedes , + 18.014
6) Barrichello, Honda , + 52.453 (DQ)
7) Nakajima, Williams-Toyota , + 1 lap
8. Bourdais, Toro Rosso-Ferrari , + 2 laps
9) Raikkonen, Ferrari , + 3 laps