Abby Brammell

By Nick Metcalfe

Brit of all right: Jenson Button won the Australian Grand Prix for a second successive year


Jenson Button sent a powerful message to his Formula One rivals with victory in a dramatic Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

The world champion superbly led from the front after Sebastian Vettel slid out of the race at the halfway stage, to repeat his success of twelve months ago at Albert Park

An emotional Button couldn't hide his delight after the race, but his fellow Briton Lewis Hamilton was highly critical of McLaren's decision to bring him into the pits twice.

Button told reporters: 'It is very special. It has taken me a while to get to grips with the car but the team have been fantastic.

'I don't know what to say, it is very difficult to put into words. I feel I am building in confidence.This is just too good.'


Pure delight: Button celebrates after claiming his first victory of the season in Melbourne


Vettel looked to be in control of the race at Albert Park but he was the victim of a brake problem on the 26th lap, with Button then taking full advantage to win by 12 seconds from Renault's Robert Kubica.

Ferrari's Felipe Massa was third, while Fernando Alonso recovered from taking a spin on the first turn to finish fourth.


Just champion: Jenson Button drives his McLaren at Albert Park


Mercedes' Nico Rosberg came home fifth, while Hamilton claimed sixth place after Mark Webber pushed him into the gravel in the closing stages.

Tonio Liuzzi finished inside the points again as he took seventh place in his Force India while Williams' Rubens Barrichello was eighth.


Out in front: Sebastian Vettel leads from pole position into the first corner


Speaking after the race, Hamilton said: 'It was one of the drives of my life.

Unfortunately due to the strategy I got put back and then I drove my heart out today and I think I deserved better.

'Everyone else in front of me did one stop and I did two.'

The race took place in overcast conditions, with rain starting to fall ten minutes before the start.

The drivers made an early swap to dry-weather tyres, with Button the first to enter the pits, a lap earlier than his rivals.

Button himself decided to come in at that stage, a move which later won praise from McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh.


Major blow: Michael Schumacher runs off the track at the start of the Australian Grand Prix


Formula One legend Michael Schumacher had a day at the office he'll want to forget after he was involved in a collision on the first corner, which started when Alonso tangled with Button, forcing his car to spin and knocking the German off the track in the process.

The seven times world champion had to come in to the pits for a new front wing, which effectively knocked him out of contention.

The safety car then emerged following a collision between Sauber's Kamui Kobayashi and Williams' Nico Hulkenberg and, once it left the track at the end of the fifth lap, Button was the first to switch to slicks.

The Briton will be delighted to taste that winning feeling so early in the season, particularly after such a high-profile move.


Dramatic start: Fernando Alonso takes a spin in his Ferrari at the first turn


Alonso leads by four points in the early championship table, ahead of Massa. Button is a further two points behind in third.

The third race of the season takes place next Sunday in Malaysia


source: dailymail