Australian Grand Prix 2007 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Kimi Räikkönen marked his Ferrari debut in perfect fashion with a commanding victory at the Australian Grand Prix, leading from pole position to defeat the McLaren duo of Fernando Alonso and rookie Lewis Hamilton at Albert Park. The Finnish driver's dominant performance announced Ferrari's return to competitiveness following a disappointing 2005-2006 period, while Hamilton's podium finish on his F1 debut marked him as a future star in the most remarkable rookie performance since Jacques Villeneuve in 1996.

Räikkönen's pole lap of 1:26.072 gave him the ideal starting position, and he converted it into an immediate lead that he never relinquished. The Ferrari F2007 showed strong race pace, and Räikkönen controlled proceedings with his trademark efficiency, also setting fastest lap to complete a perfect weekend. His victory justified Ferrari's decision to sign him from McLaren as Michael Schumacher's replacement. Behind him, Alonso secured second place in his McLaren debut, demonstrating why he was the reigning two-time world champion.

Hamilton's third-place finish stunned the paddock - no rookie had finished on the podium on debut since Villeneuve 11 years earlier. The 22-year-old British driver, McLaren's junior program graduate, drove with remarkable maturity and pace, immediately establishing himself as a championship contender rather than a mere supporting driver to Alonso. This dynamic would define and ultimately poison McLaren's season. The race set the tone for one of F1's most dramatic seasons, with three drivers - Räikkönen, Alonso, and Hamilton - emerging as title contenders from the opening round.