Kimi Raikkonen from Finland, starting from 10th and Narain Karthikeyan from India, 12th on the grid, was not to be. Kimi's car stalled on the grid just before the warm up round, meaning that he had to start last from the pit.
It was a truly exciting 57 laps, with Ferrari and Michael Schumacher not dominating the scene. This time it was Giancario Fisichella of Italy, driving his Renault, who led the way at the finish line.
Rubens Barichello of Brazil, in his Ferrari, fought hard but could not reach the leader, as 5.5 seconds separated him from the winner. Fernando Alonso from Spain, driving the second Renault, was a further 6.7 seconds behind as the race ended with a great 1-3 podium win for French car maker, Renault.
Michael Schumacher was lying 9th when he veered at Nick Heidfeld which forced Heidfeld into the grass. While trying to correct the position, Heidfeld clipped Schumacher and both cars were spun out of the race. Never-say-die Michael got himself pushed back onto the track by helpers, but the damage was too much, and he came in at the next pit stop.
Kimi was slowed when he damaged an aerodynamic aid when he went off the track when trying to gain ground. However, driving calmly thereafter, he came in from his tail position to finish a handsome 8th, giving him a point in the driver's championship table. With team-mate, Juan Pablo Montoya, finishing 6th, it was not such a bad day for the Williams team.
Narain, in his first Formula 1, showed lack of experience and should be satisfied that he came in 15th, two laps bhind the winner. Expect better things from this Indian youngster during the season. However, Jordan will have to get something more out of the car to allow this youngster a shot at the front.
Today's race has sort of set the scene for an exciting Formula 1 season. It will not be clean sailing for Ferrari. The new Ferrari engine is expected in a few races. However, the other drivers and the car makers are not going to give up without a fight this year.
Official Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix Result
1. Giancarlo Fisichella (Italy) Renault 1hr 24mins 17.336secs
2. Rubens Barrichello (Brazil) Ferrari at 5.5secs
3. Fernando Alonso (Spain) Renault at 6.7
4. David Coulthard (Great Britain) Red Bull at 16.1
5. Mark Webber (Ausralia) Williams at 16.9
6. Juan Pablo Montoya (Colunbia) McLaren at 35.0
7. Christian Klien (Austria) Red Bull at 38.9
8. Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) McLaren at 39.6
9. Jarno Trulli (Italy) Toyota at 1min 03.1secs
10. Felipe Massa (Brazil) Sauber at 1:04.3
11. Jenson Button (Great Britain) BAR at one lap
12. Ralf Schumacher (Germany) Toyota at one lap
13. Jacques Villeneuve (Canada) Sauber at one lap
14. Takuma Sato (Japan) BAR at two laps
15. Narain Karthikeyan (India) Jordan at two laps
16. Tiago Monteiro (Portugal) Jordan at two laps
17. Patrick Freisacher (Austria) Minardi at four laps
Not classified:
Michael Schumacher (Germany) Ferrari 42 laps
Nick Heidfeld (Germany) Williams 42 laps
Christijan Albers (The Netherlands) Minardi 16 Laps
Annikki and Jacob Matthan live in Oulu, Finland. Annikki is a Finn, Jacob an Indian. They are the founders of the Findians Movement way back in 1967. Both are now retired. They have been married for 57 years. This blog is an account of their lives and thoughts as reminiscenced through Annikki's and Jacob's eyes.
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