Schumacher triumphs
MELBOURNE, March 7: World champion Michael Schumacher led a Ferrari parade in the park on Sunday to win the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in a display of dominance.
With Brazilian team-mate Rubens Barrichello following Schumacher around the Albert Park circuit, the flaming red cars crossed the line in isolated splendour to celebrate a first one-two finish since Japan 2002.
It was the German's 71st win, fourth in Australia, and one of the more straightforward of a Formula One career that has brought him a record six titles.
Results:
Race distance: 58 laps, 307.574 kms 1. Michael Schumacher (Germany) Ferrari 1 hour 24 minutes 15.757 seconds (average speed 219.010 kph) 2. Rubens Barrichello (Brazil) Ferrari 1:24:29.362 3. Fernando Alonso (Spain) Renault 1:24:50.430 4. Ralf Schumacher (Germany) Williams 1:25:16.180 5. Juan Pablo Montoya (Colombia) Williams 1:25:24.293 6. Jenson Button (Britain) BAR 1:25:26.355 7. Jarno Trulli (Italy) Renault 1 lap behind 8. David Coulthard (Britain) McLaren 1 lap 9. Takuma Sato (Japan) BAR 1 lap 10. Giancarlo Fisichella (Italy) Sauber 1 lap 11. Christian Klien (Austria) Jaguar 2 laps 12. Cristiano Da Matta (Brazil) Toyota 2 laps 13. Olivier Panis (France) Toyota 2 laps 14. Giorgio Pantano (Italy) Jordan 3 laps. -Reuters