Current World Champion Fernando Alonso took his first ever Australian Grand Prix win in a thrilling race filled with incidents and fine overtaking manoeuvres.

The cold conditions and low grip offered by Albert Park Circuit seemed to be the undoing of many drivers, with two parade laps taking place and four safety cars deployed during the 57 lap race. The incidents however did not affect Fernando Alonso who dominated P1 despite his lead being regularly cut down by the safety car.

It was a disappointing weekend for Scuderia Ferrari with both Ferrari’s retiring due to on-track incidents.

By the time qualifying got under-way, teams were faced with challenging conditions. The day started with a wet track which was aggravated by cold and blustery conditions. Tyre temperature was difficult to maintain and the track gave little grip once the cars exited the pits. Despite two red flags due to on-track incidents, eventually it was Britain’s Jenson Button who seized pole position just in front of the Renaults of Alonso and Fisichella. Michael Schumacher took P10. An accident in Part 1 of qualifying meant Massa started in P15.

Conditions were much the same on race day and expectations were dashed before the lights went out. Even before the cars had completed their parade lap, Juan Pablo Montoya lost control of his McLaren-Mercedes leaving him parked side-ways on the track. As the cars passed the Colombian and took their positions, Fisichella stalled and started from the pit lane. Both these incidents meant a second parade lap was required.

The first few turns in lap one were an omen of what was to come, as drivers struggled to keep the cars on track.

Jenson Button fought hard to hold off Alonso as they got away from the line but it was only a matter of time before the Spaniard, whose car had better grip and off-line speed, was able to take Button as the first safety car pulled in after Felipe Massa’s incident. It was a good weekend for Renault as Fisichella after a difficult start and weak pace, pushed hard to take P5.

Two Ferrari's at Melbourne

The safety car was deployed a further three times due to incidents from Klien, Michael Schumacher and Liuzzi and was to prove both a help and a hindrance for the teams.

It was an unfortunate race for the Shell powered Ferrari team from the outset, as both cars went into the barriers; Felipe Massa was touched by Klien in lap one and Michael Schumacher under-steered later in the race.

‘We’re extremely disappointed at what was a frustrating weekend’’ explains Mike Copson Shell’s Technical Manager. ‘However at times like these you have to be philosophical. Ferrari and Shell have a very strong partnership and we don’t let set backs like this weekend dilute our determination in any way. So we will re-group and put all our focus onto San Marino in a few weeks time’

There were high hopes for Button after an excellent qualifying, but the weekend was inevitably a frustrating one as his lack of pace and confidence in the car compromised his position during the race. He was on for fifth position until he was forced to pull over metres from the chequered flag, leaving him empty handed.

McLaren’s issues did not finish with Montoya’s spin in the parade lap. Both drivers battled for position encountering several problems along the way; once the safety car came out due to Michael Schumacher’s accident, all cars seized the opportunity to dive into the pits, however the delay in changing Raikkonen’s nose cone caused Montoya to queue and waste valuable seconds.

While Raikkonen benefited from the safety car and took second place his team mate had to cope with the disappointment of retiring several laps before the end.

The pressure and expectations on Australia’s own Mark Webber were very high as the weekend got underway and he was left frustrated when leading the race he was forced to retire his Williams.

Toyota and BMW will be happy with the weekend; despite suffering a drive through penalty Ralf Schumacher put in a fine performance taking third place on the podium with Nick Heidfeld taking fourth. Scott Speed gave a credible drive in what was only his third race, earning Toro Rosso their first Championship point.

After three rounds, the results put Ferrari in third place with 15 points in the Constructors’ Championship just behind McLaren-Mercedes.

The fourth round takes place in three weeks’ time at the San Marino Grand Prix on 23 April, the first race of the European Season.