Team Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 Race Recap: The Australian GP

Team Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 Race Australian GP

30 March 2009 | CDanielson

If you’re a race fan, you’re likely well aware of the fact that yesterday kicked off the 2009 Formula One race season in Australia. If you have the race TIVO’d and plan on catching it later, then read no further. But for those of you wishing to know how the reigning F1 champion fared in his first race of the season, read on for the full details.

In qualifying, things started out shaky for the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team. Heikki Kovalainen managed to capture the 12th starting spot on the grid, while Lewis Hamilton started back in 18th after a broken fourth gear demoted him three spots. For Hamilton, this stint at the back of the pack would be short-lived. By the end of the opening lap, Hamilton had managed to improve five spots to 13th. For Heikki, however, things took an immediate turn for the worse, when he was hit by Red Bull Renault’s Mark Webber, the result of which was a broken left front suspension and subsequently, early retirement.

Meanwhile, Hamilton continued working his way through the field, entering the pits on lap 11 from eighth place (12 sec.) and resuming in 15th. On lap 19, an accident of Williams Toyota’s Kazuki Nakajima resulted in the deployment of the Safety Car, and following the race re-start, Hamilton had improved to 10th.

On lap 43, Lewis made his second stop of the day (7.8 sec), resuming in 10th. By lap 52, Hamilton had moved into 7th, following the pit stops of Timo Glock and Fernando Alonso. Two laps later, Lewis improved another position after overtaking Nico Rosberg.

On lap 56, Robert Kubica and Sebastian Vettel collided, resulting in another Safety Car deployment and allowing Hamilton to move into fourth. During this Safety Car period, Hamilton passed Jarno Trulli while he had a short off; however, Lewis let Trulli pass afterwards. On lap 56, the race ended, with Hamilton still in fourth position. Following a review, the race stewards gave Trulli a 25 second penalty as a result of the Safety Car incident; and as a result, Hamilton was awarded third.

Capturing the first win of the season, Brawn Mercedes driver Jenson Button finished first, while his teammate Rubens Barrichello took home second.

To read more about how the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team fared in the Australian GP, keep reading for photos and the official press release

View the Official Press Release

Australian GP: Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton Third

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton finished the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, the first race of the 2009 Formula 1 World Championship, in third place. His team mate Heikki Kovalainen retired with a broken left front suspension, the consequence of a first-corner incident which was not his fault. Winner of the 58-lap race (307.574 kms) was Brawn Mercedes driver Jenson Button ahead of his team mate Rubens Barrichello; both achieved a 1-2 victory in the team’s first race.

The start: Heikki started 12th on the grid whilst Lewis had qualified 15th. However, due to the broken fourth gear, the gearbox had to be changed and according to the rules, Lewis had to move back on the grid. He started 18th. Lewis was 13th after the opening lap. At the first corner, Heikki was hit by Mark Webber’s Red Bull Renault and returned to the pits with a broken left front suspension; he retired.

The race, lap 5: Whilst pole sitter Jenson Button (Brawn Mercedes) held a 4.2sec lead, Lewis was now 10th.

Lap 11: Lewis pitted from eighth place (12sec) and resumed in 15th position.

Lap 19: Following an accident of Kazuki Nakajima (Williams Toyota) the Safety Car was deployed. Lewis was 12th.

Lap 25: Re-start. Lewis improved to 10th position.

Lap 41: After pit stops of Felipe Massa (lap 31), Robert Kubica, Kimi Räikkönen (both on lap 39) and Sébastien Buemi (lap 41), Lewis was now fifth.

Lap 43: Lewis came in for his second stop (7.8sec) and dropped to 10th, immediately ahead of Felipe Massa.

Lap 49: Lewis drove in ninth position; one lap later, following Timo Glock‘ pit stop, he was eighth.

Lap 52: Lewis improved to seventh, after Fernando Alonso had pitted.

Lap 54: Lewis overtook Nico Rosberg and was now sixth.

Lap 56: Collision of Robert Kubica and Sebastian Vettel, both retired and the Safety Car was deployed again. Lewis moved up to fourth.

Finish (lap 58): Lewis finished the race in fourth position whilst Brawn Mercedes drivers Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello achieved a 1-2 victory. Lewis had passed Jarno Trulli during the second Safety Car period whilst the Italian had a short off; however, Lewis let Trulli repass afterwards. After the race, the stewards gave Trulli a 25sec time penalty which meant that Lewis was third.

COMMENTS

Lewis Hamilton
"We scored way more points than we could have realistically expected. I was looking to try and get one point, so to get six is a great achievement. We've definitely not forgotten how to win: our strategy was perfect and the team did a fantastic job. Considering the package we've got, I wrung every last ounce of pace out of the car, drove one of my best ever races and absolutely raced my heart out - I'm so satisfied. Also, my heartfelt congratulations to Jenson - he's driven brilliantly all weekend and both he and his team really deserve this success."

Heikki Kovalainen
"Obviously, my race was very short. Webber had a moment at the first corner and his front wheel hit my left-front. It was a racing accident - these things unfortunately happen."

Martin Whitmarsh
"Today was one of those days on which Lewis demonstrated very clearly just what a fantastic racing driver he is. Throughout the race he showed great speed and tenacity, tempered when necessary by commendable patience. The car we supplied him wasn't as competitive as we'd have liked it to be - we've made no secret of that - but we're working flat-out, night and day, to improve it. The points Lewis scored today are of course very welcome - and, as and when we regain our form, we hope they'll take on a greater significance still. As for Heikki, he started with a heavy fuel-load and could also have scored points today - but, sadly, and blamelessly on his part, his race was ended early on when he happened upon an incident involving two other cars. Lastly, well done to all at Brawn GP - and of course also to Mercedes-Benz, whose superb engines powered the first three cars."

Norbert Haug
“Lewis finally in third place and the best car with KERS - this is more than we had expected after starting 18th. He drove an excellent race under very difficult circumstances and proved his world-champion class. During the second Safety Car period, Trulli had an off and Lewis overtook him for third place, but he let Trulli past again. But the stewards' decision after the race gave him back third place. It's a shame for Heikki; without the first-corner multiple-car collision which was not his fault, he also could have scored a solid result in this turbulent race. Congratulations to Brawn GP, Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello on their one-two victory - three times Mercedes-powered cars in the top three makes us happy. Our customer team did a great job and we helped to 'Keep the Customer Satisfied'!"

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