Lewis Hamilton made the perfect start to the 2008 Formula 1 championship, winning the Australian Grand Prix from pole position, with main rival Kimi Raikkonen scoring a single point.

It was the fifth victory in 18 starts for Hamilton. BMW’s Nick Heidfeld finished second, with Williams’ Nico Rosberg collecting his first F1 podium finish in third place.

As in his first win last year, 23-year-old Hamilton had to endure three safety car periods, which eliminated the lead he had built up on each occasion. He did not put a foot wrong, but the same cannot be said for his main rivals in the Ferrari team. Raikkonen made two mistakes that cost him both track position and time, while Felipe Massa spun at the start, dropping from fourth to last place.

Races at Albert Park have been processional in the past but this, the first under rules that outlaw driver aids such as traction control, was spectacular as an incident at the start eliminated five cars, including Jenson Button’s Honda.