Formula One - Australian Grand Prix 
18/03/2007 @ Albert Park Melbourne
58 laps  - 5.303 km.  -  Race distance - 307.574 kms
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Practice
World champion Fernando Alonso got his title defense off to a perfect start in the first 90 minute practice session for the Australian Grand Prix in heavy morning rain being always near the top of the times whenever on track but it was questionable whether or not he has the pace to challenge the two Ferrari's come race day.  In the second practice session Ferrari confirmed their form with Felipe Massa (1m27.353s) being the fastest driver ahead of Kimi Raikkonen (1m27.750s).  McLaren Rookie Lewis Hamilton (1m27.829s) was third fastest ahead of Giancarlo Fisichella (1m27.941s) and Nick Heidfeld (1m27.970s).  Completing the top ten 6th Alexander Wurz (1m27.981s).  7th Fernando Alonso (1m28.040s). 8th Kiko Rosberg (1m28.055s). 9th Robert Kubuca (1m28.281s) and 10th David Coulthard (1m28.495s).  Massa appeared to be dominant in most of the second session with Raikkonen only joining the Brazilian at the sharp end at almost the end of the practice 0.4s short of Massa.  Hamilton´s fastest lap also came at the end where he had to fight off a determined Giancarlo Fisichella.
Qualifying (3rd qualifying - black) - (2nd qualifying elimination's - dark blue) - (1st practice qualifying - light blue)
1 Kimi Räikkönen Ferrari 1:26.072
2 Fernando Alonso McLaren Mercedes 1:26.493
3 Nick Heidfeld BMW 1:26.556
4 Lewis Hamilton McLaren Mercedes 1:26.755
5 Robert Kubica  BMW 1:27.347
6 Giancarlo Fisichella Renault 1:27.634
7 Mark Webber Red Bull Renault 1:27.934
8 Jarno Trulli Toyota 1:28.404
9 Ralf Schumacher Toyota 1:28.692
10 Takuma Sato Super Aguri Honda 1:28.871
11 Anthony Davidson Super Aguri Honda 1:26.909
12 Nico Rosberg Williams Toyota 1:26.914
13 Heikki Kovalainen Renault 1:26.964
14 Jenson Button Honda 1:27.264
15 Alexander Wurz Williams Toyota 1:27.393
16 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:26.712
17 Rubens Barrichello Honda 1:27.679
18 Scott Speed Scuderia Toro Rosso Ferrari 1:28.305
19 David Coulthard Red Bull Renault 1:28.579
20 Vitantonio Liuzzi ScuderiaToroRosso Ferrari 1:29.267
21 Adrian Sutil Spyker Ferrari 1:29.339
22 Christijan Albers Spyker Ferrari 1:31.932
* Engine Change - drops 10 places on the grid
Felipe Massa was only 16th after suffering gearbox problems and tomorrow will not be able guard his team mate, and pole sitter Kimi Räikkönen´s back, whereas Fernando Alonso on the front row has the luxury of Lewis Hamilton in fourth place.  “Today we spent time getting a good set-up on car,” Raikkonen said. “For one lap it was still not ideal, not for me at least, but the main thing is it was quick enough. We have a good race package, so I am more confident for the race than for qualifying. This can be quite a funny race, but we'll do our best and hope to win.”  Having played second fiddle to Rookie Lewis Hamilton, Alonso said he was still building his confidence in the car, and added: “I think at end we are there and to start where we are is fantastic news for the team. They have made a huge step forward since last year and we need say thanks to team. I really hope it will be a close race tomorrow, and it can be very interesting; we have been very competitive all weekend.”  Speedy Nick Heidfeld in the BMW Sauber demoted Lewis another place, but fourth on the grid is a great achievement for the new boy on the block.  Against expectations, came the Toyotas of Jarno Trulli and Ralf Schumacher were up in the top ten and Takuma Sato was all smiles making the top ten in his Super Aguri., and to prove that it was no fluke Anthony Davidson was one place down, sixth row on the grid, a row ahead of Sato´s old team, Jenson Button only managing a fourteenth place. 

Race
1 Kimi Räikkönen Ferrari + 1:25:28.805 secs
2 Fernando Alonso McLaren Mercedes + 7.242 secs
3 Lewis Hamilton McLaren Mercedes + 18.595 secs
4 Nick Heidfeld BMW + 38.763 secs
5 Giancarlo Fisichella Renault + 1:06.469 secs
6 Felipe Massa Ferrari + 1:06.805 secs
7 Nico Rosberg Williams Toyota + 1 lap
8 Ralf Schumacher Toyota + 1 lap
9 Jarno Trulli Toyota + 1 lap
10 Heikki Kovalainen Renault + 1 lap
11 Rubens Barrichello Honda + 1 lap
12 Takuma Sato Super Aguri Honda + 1 lap
13 Mark Webber Red Bull Renault + 1 lap
14 Vitantonio Liuzzi ScuderiaToroRosso Ferrari + 1 lap
15 Jenson Button Honda + 1 lap
16 Anthony Davidson Super Aguri Honda + 2 laps
17 Adrian Sutil Spyker Ferrari + 2 laps

Two debutants starred today, Kimi Räikkönen becoming the first Ferrari driver since Nigel Mansell in 1989 to win on his debut and Lewis Hamilton being the first rookie to make it onto the podium on his F1 debut since Jacques Villeneuve in 1996.  Kimi´s only problems being problems were one minor off when he lost concentration on lap 46, and the lack of a radio throughout the race. “The weekend has been very good, but today the race was not that easy. Maybe it looked like it but I didn’t have the radio as it stopped working before the start, so it was quite complicated. But we had our plan so I knew what had to do even if it was not the ideal situation.” he reported.  He had dominated from lights to flagbut  the star of the race was Britain’s Lewis Hamilton, who electrified the paddock with a remarkable performance, serving notice of his intent this year by racing his double world champion team-mate Fernando Alonso for second place all afternoon until was delayed by traffic and had a slower final pit stop, but it was a close-run thing.  Alonso had been bogged down at the start and was passed by Heidfeld on the drag to the first corner. Hamilton zoomed around Robert Kubica’s fast-starting BMW d promptly passed his champion team-mate – around the outside and only made ne mistake running wide at turn 12 putting the left handside rubber on the grass.  Heidfeld’s challenge faded as the race went on and BMW’s fuel strategy working against him, but he comfortably beat Giancarlo Fisichella for fourth and confirming that the Hinwil-based squad has made progress over the winter.
 


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