| | LEWIS HAMILTON ON TOP IN DOWN UNDER |
| Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton won the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, the first race of the 2008 Formula 1 World Championship. After turbulent 58 laps (307.574 kms) with three Safety Car periods, Lewis won with 5.4sec ahead of Nick Heidfeld (BMW Sauber) and Nico Rosberg (Williams Toyota). Lewis' new team mate Heikki Kovalainen, who led for eight laps and ran second for 21 laps came home fifth. It was the fifth victory for Lewis, just one year after his first ever Grand Prix. The McLaren Mercedes Partnership took their 53rd victory in their 222nd Formula 1 race. After the first of 18 Grands Prix, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes leads the Constructors' 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). |
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