Australian Grand Prix

Timothy Rathmell 06.04.2009 20:30

Brawn GP Formula One driver Jenson Button of Britain, center, and teammate Rubens Barrichello of Brazil spray champagne to the team boss Ross Brawn. AP

It was clear from first practice that the McLarens were in trouble, the Ferraris average, and the Brawn like a rocket.Qualifing confirmed this, with an unbelievable 1/2 on the grid for the Brawn GP cars, the Ferraris 6th and 7th, the best McLaren down in 12th, and defending champion only 18th, both Toyotas were excluded for technical infringements.

At the green light, Button was off to a flyer, by the end of the first lap he was 4.5 seconds down the road, ahead of Vettel. He resembled how the late great Ayerton Sennaused destroyed the opposition on the opening lap. From then on he was untouchable. Every time Vettel closed the gat, Jensen effortlessly opened it up again. Massa, in the Ferrari was hanging on in 3rd with Kubica hounding him in 4th. The pace of the Brawn car was emphasized by the fact that both cars pitted later than all there major rivels, meaning they qualified on heavy fuel loads.

Australian Grand Prix - Australian - Grand Prix - Formula One - Jenson Button - Ayerton Sennaused - Richard Branson - Brawn GP - Race - Car - Rubens Barrichello

Sir Richard Branson celebrates in the pit after his newly sponsored team Brawn GP placed first and second. AP

Kamikaze Nakajima threw his Williams into the wall on lap 18, bringing out the safety car, which the stewards put in front of Vittel, then realized they made a cock up, so the field had to pass the safety car, until Button was behind. When the safety car peeled off, Button disappeared down the road again, and he just drove effortlessly to the flag. Behind him,Vettel and Kubica were having a great scrap, but that ended in tears when Kubica tried a do or die overtaking man over around the outside, gave Vettel no where to go, the inevitable contact put them both out.Vettle made the crass decision to carry on, which cost him a 10 grid place penalty at the next race. Hamilton had a busy afternoon, from 18th on the grid to 4th, but with 8 cars in front of him retired, truly, started from the pit lane up to 3rd was a better drive.

The drive of the day was Jenson Button. He never put a wheel wrong.

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