2008 AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton won the Australian
Grand Prix in Melbourne, the first race of the 2008 Formula
1 World Championship. After a turbulent 58 laps (307.574 kms)
with three Safety Car periods, Lewis won with 5.4 seconds
ahead of Nick Heidfeld and Nico Rosberg. Lewis’ new
team mate Heikki Kovalainen, who led for eight laps and ran
second for 21 laps, came home fifth. It was the fifth Grand
Prix victory for Lewis. Both drivers were on two-stop strategies.
Lewis pitted on laps 18 (9.2 seconds) and 43 (8.6 seconds);
Heikki came in on laps 22 (9 seconds) and 47 (8 seconds).
After the first of 18 Grands Prix, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
lead the Constructors’ World Championship with 14 points
ahead of BMW Sauber and Williams Toyota with 8 points each.
Lewis took the lead in the drivers’ ranking with 10
points ahead of Heidfeld (8) and Rosberg (6).
LEWIS HAMILTON
“I feel fantastic – what a dream start to the
season and my championship challenge. I am sorry not to have
Heikki with me on the podium as a one-two would have been
a great reward to the team. It’s nice to have Nico here
though as we have not shared a podium since our Karting days
with Team MBM (Mercedes-Benz McLaren). It was a super race
which I controlled from the beginning. I was able to drive
at a steady pace without feeling any pressure which is always
the ideal situation when you are leading. The three Safety
Car periods meant that there was never time to relax, and
the whole situation was a bit like Canada last year when I
claimed my first victory. We constantly had to change our
strategy and the strategists were on the ball throughout which
was super. The car is fantastic to drive and the team has
done a superb job. I have prepared much better this year than
last, and it’s important that myself and the team continue
to push hard in the months to come.”
HEIKKI KOVALAINEN
“Obviously my competitiveness was better than the result
shows. Unfortunately the last Safety Car phase prevented me
from finishing second. Nevertheless I enjoyed the whole weekend
working with the team on such a professional high level. My
start was OK but during the first stint I had a bit of graining
on the tyres, but it didn’t affect me too much. In my
second stint and especially in the last part of the race my
car was really good and I was flying. I had a great battle
first with Kimi and then Fernando which I really enjoyed.
I managed to get past Fernando but then as I tore off a visor
strip on the main straight I accidentally hit the pit lane
speed limiter button and Fernando managed to get past me again.
I am pleased but also a bit disappointed as we were looking
strong for a one-two finish today.”
RON DENNIS
“An almost perfect race weekend for us. Lewis drove
a faultless race with a strong strategy where his stops were
timed in anticipation of possible Safety Car periods. We were
keen for Heikki to go an extra lap before his second stop
in case he had any problems in the pits so that he could still
be ahead of Nick. Unfortunately the last Safety Car period
cost him second place. He showed what a great racing driver
he is with his overtaking of Kimi and Fernando, but unfortunately
as he reached to clean his visor he hit the pitlane speed
limiter and lost a position. As a team we have enjoyed a competitive
weekend but there is a long way to go and we never underestimate
our competition.”
NORBERT HAUG
“A dream start to the season and all our hard work could
not have been better rewarded. We started McLaren-Mercedes’
222nd race from our 55th pole position and this was our 53rd
victory – for sure one of our nicest. We had Lewis pit
earlier to avoid running into the danger of a Safety Car phase.
Unfortunately the Safety Car came out when we wanted to call
in Heikki. That is a pity for him as he drove a great race
in his debut for the team. However it’s only a matter
of time before he will get a better reward on the track than
today.”
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