F1 Melbourne GP: Qualifying Results

Mclaren’s Lewis Hamilton took first place today at the season opener; Melbourne GP Qualifying session. BMW’s Robert Kubica took second place in what is said to be an exciting qualifier with Kubica pushing Hamilton all the way and could have or probably should have claimed top honours if not for a small mistake that saw his F1.08 run wide and slide across the grass on his final hot lap. He missed pole by just 0.155s.

Hamilton’s team mate, Heikki Kovalainen starts an impressive third on what is his Mclaren Mercedes debut while pre-season favorites Ferrari hit trouble. While Felipe Massa lines up a disappointing fourth, World Champion Kimi Raikkonen will have to start towards the back after a fuel pressure regulator failed at the end of the first part of qualifying.

BMW Sauber’s Nick Heidfeld starts fifth less than a tenth behind Massa and one of last seasons biggest disappointment, Toyota seems to have gained some pace after Jarno Trulli and team mate Timo Glock qualified sixth and ninth respectively.

Williams Toyota driver Nico Rosberg starts from seventh place while his team mate Kazuki Nakajima, in his second grand prix weekend qualified 14th. Red Bull Renault had a mixed qualifying session with David Coulthard qualifying well in eight position but his team mate Mark Webber however had an early exit as his front right brake disc failed sending him spinning into 15th.

The rising star of 2008, Sebastian Vettel of Toro Rosso opted to scrub in a set of tyres in the third session and did not record a time therefore starts tenth. His team-mate, Sebastian Bourdais starts 18th.

Making a good step forward with the new RA108, Honda’s Rubens Barrichello lines up 11th with Jenson button at 13th place. Last seasons biggest disappointment and this seasons most anticipated, double world champion, Fernando Alonso of Renault lines up a disappointing 12th while rookie Nelson Piquet starts at shocking 21st place out of the 22 contenders.

New comers Force India Ferrari head into their first race with Giancarlo Fisichella qualifying 17th and Adrian Sutil who spun on his final qualifying run two positions lower. Takuma Sato of Super Aguri Honda is in familiar environment at position number 20 ahead of Renaults Nelson Piquet Jr. while Anthony Davidson starts at the back in the second Super Aguri.

*Penalty: Timo Glock of Toyota qualified ninth but drops to 14th due to a gearbox change grid penalty.