Highlights

Alonso wins dramatic Australian Grand Prix

(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-04-02 14:59

There was drama even before the race began when Fisichella, who had qualified on the front row as second fastest, stalled his Renault on the grid and had to start from the pit lane after a second formation lap.

Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya, who later retired while challenging for a podium, also spun his McLaren on the first formation lap.

There was immediate chaos when the race started with Brazilian Felipe Massa hitting Austrian Christian Klien's Red Bull and running into the rear end of Nico Rosberg's Williams after the first corner.

Massa lost control of his Ferrari and slammed sideways into a wall, destroying the car, while Rosberg retired after limping back to the pits.

Italian Jarno Trulli also quit on the first lap when he damaged his Toyota after making contact with Scotsman David Coulthard's Red Bull.

The safety car was reintroduced when Klein slammed into a wall after locking up under braking.

The delays proved costly for Button, who lost the lead to Alonso as soon as the safety car left the track the first time and was then overtaken by Raikkonen immediately after the second safety car.

The Englishman then gradually slipped back through the field before the final engine blow.

Australia's Mark Webber briefly took the lead in his Williams when Alonso and Raikkonen both stopped to re-fuel but his hopes of a hometown win were dashed when a gearbox problem forced him off the road.