Button takes Brawn GP to victory
Dramatic Debut: Reims 1954, Buenos Aires 1977 and now Albert Park 2009. The Maestro Juan Manuel Fangio gave Mercedes-Benz victory in the French Grand Prix upon their return to Grand Prix racing after the war. Jody Scheckter gave Canadian oil man Walter Wolf debut win in Argentina. Jenson Button joined this elite group on Sunday with a dominant win for Brawn GP from pole position in Australia, opening round of the 2009 Formula 1 World Championship.
Teammate Rubens Barrichello was second and Toyota of Jarno Trulli third, thanks to late race coming together of Robert Kubica and Sebastian Vettel. World Champion Lewis Hamilton, relegated to the back of the grid following a gearbox change, was fourth ahead of the second Toyota of Timo Glock. Alonso, Rosberg and Sebastien Buemi, making his F1 debut with Toro Rosso, finished in the remaining points paying positions.
Round 2 is next Sunday at Sepang, the Malaysian Grand Prix.
Jenson Button takes the checkered flag in Melbourne.
Rubens Barrichello recovers from a bad start to finish second.
Sebastian Vettel and Robert Kubica tangle fighting for the podium.
Ferrari’s hopes turn to disaster after Massa and then Kimi fail to finish.
Trulli given a 25-sec penalty moving him outside of the points finish.
Vettel given a 10-place grid penalty for the Malaysian Grand Prix.
REVISED RACE RESULTS
The Australian Grand Prix
Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia;
58 laps; 307.574km;
Weather: Sunny.
Classified:
Pos Driver Team
1. Button Brawn GP
2. Barrichello Brawn GP
3. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes
4. Glock Toyota
5. Alonso Renault
6. Rosberg Williams-Toyota
7. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari
8. Bourdais Toro Rosso-Ferrari
9. Sutil Force India-Mercedes
10. Heidfeld BMW Sauber
11. Fisichella Force India-Mercedes
12. Trulli Toyota
13. Webber Red Bull-Renault
14. Vettel Red Bull-Renault
15. Kubica BMW Sauber
16. Raikkonen Ferrari
Fastest lap: Rosberg, 1:27.706