Mon, Apr 03, 2006 page20

• Fernando Alonso takes Aussie GP

  • AP
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  World champion Fernando Alonso held off Kimi Raikkonen Sunday to win an action-packed Formula One Australian Grand Prix for his 10th career victory.

  Renault driver Alonso has now has two wins from three races this season after claiming the Bahrain GP last month, and leads the drivers standings with 28 points from three races. McLaren-Mercedes driver Raikkonen and Alonso's Renault teammate Giancarlo Fisichella are next with 14 points apiece.

  "28 points in three races is a dream come true," the Spaniard said. "It's the start of the season, so let's hope we finish like last year."

  

  panish Formula One driver Fernando Alonso of the Renault F1 team celebrates his first-place finish on the podium after the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at the Albert Park Street Circuit in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday.

  PHOTO: EPA

  Last year wasn't too bad either.

  "The important thing is to be consistent, be on the podium, like I did 15 times last year I think," Alonso said. "This year I am 3-for-3."

  Toyota driver Ralf Schumacher finished third. Honda's Jenson Button, who started from pole position, missed out on fifth when his engine caught fire just meters from the finish line.

  The safety car made four appearances and 10 drivers made premature exits as cool conditions at the Albert Park circuit made it difficult for tires to get enough grip.

  "The race was a little bit crazy, I didn't understand. I was 20 seconds ahead and the gap disappeared," Alonso said. "But there was no risk to lose the victory anytime."

  Michael Schumacher crashed in the 33rd lap and Felipe Massa's race ended in a wreck on the first lap in a disappointing Melbourne race for Ferrari.

  "It was a weekend to forget," said Jean Todt, the Ferrari team boss. Schumacher blamed his tires' lack of grip on the cool day.

  "Our main problem was keeping the tires up to temperature, especially in the first part of the race," he said. "It was difficult to drive and after locking the wheels a few times, the tires were completely finished."

  Nick Heidfeld drove a BMW-Sauber to fourth place and fifth went to Fisichella, who stalled on the starting grid and had to begin the race from the pits. Fisichella, who won two weeks ago at Malaysia, threaded his way through the pack and trailed Button for the last two laps.

  Button held off Fisichella until two turns from the end when his engine blew up in a mass of smoke and fire, and he coasted to a stop within meters of the finish.

  On the cool day, each time the safety car closed up the field, Alonso broke away. And each time Raikkonen and his McLaren-Mercedes was there in second -- sometimes close, sometimes far away.

  Although the final margin was 1.8 seconds, Alonso led by 25 seconds when the race was at full speed.

  Raikkonen had a series of mishaps in the first two races this season after finishing second to Alonso in the driver standings last year. The Finn started last at Bahrain and was bumped out on the opening lap at Malaysia.

  The safety car came out twice in the first 10 laps. When it came off the first time, at the end of lap three, Alonso passed Button to gain first for good.

  "I warmed the tires very, very aggressive this race," Alonso said. "When I overtook Jenson I was much more ready for the restart. He had very cold tires.

  "When we passed the line I was full throttle."

  Four laps later, when the safety car left again and the field sped up, Alonso pulled away and Raikkonen vaulted past Button to gain second.
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