Kimi Raikkonen made a winning start to his Ferrari career by claiming his 10th victory at Sunday's season-opening Formula One Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
Raikkonen, who started from pole position, led almost throughout the race to edge world champion Fernando Alonso, who was making his McLaren debut. McLaren teammate Lewis Hamilton, a rookie and F1's first black driver, finished third.
Finnish F1 driver Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari celebrates his victory in the Australian Grand Prix Sunday in Melbourne.
(Oliver Multhaup/Associated Press)
Raikkonen's Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa finished sixth after starting the race from the back of the grid.
Raikkonen ensured Ferrari maintained its momentum after leading winter testing. The Finn, formerly of McLaren, joined Ferrari to replace seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, who retired after finishing second in the drivers' standings last year.
Raikkonen completed the 58 laps of the 5.3-kilometre Albert Park circuit 7.2 seconds ahead of Alonso, with Hamilton 18.5 seconds back.
Alonso won last year's race here in a Renault when it was the third race of the season.
Hamilton and Alonso were looking to give McLaren its first victory since the Japan GP in October 2005. Instead, Hamilton became the first rookie to make the podium since Canadian Jacques Villeneuve debuted with a second place at the 1996 Australian GP.
After 10 laps, Raikkonen led by 8.1 seconds over Heidfeld with Alonso in fourth more than 12 seconds back. Raikkonen went to the pits after 19 laps, allowing Hamilton to take the lead briefly, until he too pitted.
At the halfway mark, Raikkonen led Hamilton by 17.4 seconds, before the Ferrari driver posted the fastest laps of the race to extend his lead by about a second a lap.
Raikkonen pitted a second time with 16 laps remaining and almost a 19-second lead.
Hamilton entered the pits a lap later, but was overtaken by Alonso, who stayed out two laps longer and needed to take on less fuel for a shorter pit stop.
With 10 laps to go, Raikkonen had a 14-second lead over Alonso and coasted to the victory, slowing to salute his new team as he passed the line.
Nick Heidfeld in a BMW-Sauber was fourth and Giancarlo Fisichella, who won here in 2005, was fifth in a Renault.
Massa started at the back of the grid after changing his engine Sunday morning. He had gearbox problems Saturday in qualifying and was originally set to start from 16th spot.
The Brazilian threaded his way through the field for his best Melbourne finish. Last year he lasted less than two turns before crashing into a wall.
Nico Rosberg in a Williams was seventh with Toyota's Ralf Schumacher eighth.
The next race is the Malaysian GP on April 8.
