* Engine Change - drops 10 places on the grid

The Albert Park track green and slippy, but Jenson Button put in a stunning 1:25.229 lap on his penultimate run, 0.4s faster than second place man Giancarlo Fisichella.  Renault and McLarens were setting the pace until this with Juan Pablo Montoya almost certain to take pole but a spin and a drop in speed in the 3rd sector dropped the Columbian to fifth fastest behind Kimi Raikkonen.  The Toyota was improving this weekend and Ralf Schumacher managed to put his chassis sixth fastest and Jarno Trulli tenth, ninth on the grid as Jacques Villenueva chose to sit out the last session as he has to take a ten place drop on the grid because of his engine change, which lets Michael Schumacher up a place into the tenth spot.  Mark Webber on home turf was obviously hoping for a better place but is sure to show well here tomorrow.  This is Jenson Button´s third pole position, but the question is will he be the first into the first corner - the Renaults are known to be quick at the start!  Only the top 4 drivers set faster times in the 20 minute qualifying session

Fastest lap Kimi Raikkonon (last lap 1:26,00)  * David Coulthard has appealed against Scott Speed for overtaking under a yellow flag

Fernando Alonso came of age at Imola last year and eleven month on showed is maturity, surviving four Safety Car periods to take his second win in two races.  It was his brilliant tactics at each of the restarts that gave him the dominance required to win at Albert Park today.  He tucked in behind Jenson Button at the start, Giancarlo Fisichella having to start from the pit lane and after two warm up laps caused by Juan Pablo Montoya spinning on the pit straight during the first one.  Whilst it was thought that the Spaniard could take Jenson on the first corner, first lap, the Englishman kept his cool and defended his position well.  Massa and Rosberg crashed out on the first corner and Jarno Trulli also retired here causing the safety car to come out for the first time.  Fernando took advantage of the restart, blasting past Jenson into Turn 1 and never looked back from then.  The two McLaren´s of Raikkonen and Juan Pablo were racing very closely during the first few laps.  Michael Schumacher, who having been sandwiched between the two Toro Roso cars of Luizzi and Speed (ex Minardi´s with restricted V10´s), started to show form, but on entering the pit straight rode the kerb, appearing to suffer from oversteer putting him into the wall and the ex world champ was out after 25 laps.  The Ferrari´s would not score points today!  Mark Webber was driving well leading for a lap whilst Renault were in the pits, but unfortunately had to pull the Williams onto the grass and retire after 10 laps later.  Juan Pablo Montoya was out on the same corner as Schumacher, but luckily did not hit the wall, spinning the McLaren across the track towards the pit wall.  The rear light came on and it appears the electrics switched themselve off.  Kimi Raikkonen was catching Fernando Alonso towards the end, but the Renault driver had the race under control, the Renault pit telling Giancarlo Fisichella that he had the same package as his team mate but was 2 seconds a lap slower.  The Italian inheriting 5th., behind Nick Heidfeld., after Jenson Button´s engine let go on entering the penultimate corner, dropping him to tenth position.  The other BMW of Jacques Villenueve reinforced the Ex Sauber teams potential by finishing 6th with Rubens Barichello a surprised 7th ahead of the Red Bull/Gerhard Berger Escuderia Toro Roso car of Scott Speed taking a point.  Ralf Schumacher was nomintated as driver of the day, coming third despite a drive through the pit penalty for speeding in the pit lane, the Toyota team appearing to have overcome their tyre problem.  Honda still appear to be suffering the same problem of being off pace coming out of the pits
or restarting after a safety car -  Poor Jenson Button must have been devestated today, but he will overcome this during the season.

Next race Imola in 3 weeks time 23 April