Australian Grand Prix 2010 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Jenson Button produced a masterful performance to win the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park, showcasing the race-management skills that had earned him the 2009 World Championship. The defending champion converted a strong qualifying position into victory through brilliant strategic execution and tire management, beating the impressive Robert Kubica and Felipe Massa in a race that demonstrated the unpredictable competitiveness of the 2010 season.

Starting from fourth on the grid behind Vettel's second consecutive pole position, Button executed a perfect race strategy that played out beautifully around Melbourne's challenging street circuit. While Vettel once again dominated qualifying with the RB6's superior aerodynamics, Red Bull's reliability woes struck again when the young German retired with a brake failure, handing the lead battle to Button. The McLaren driver managed his tires expertly in the hot Australian conditions, making his pit stops at optimal moments and emerging ahead of his rivals. His victory demonstrated that while Red Bull had the fastest car, reliability and racecraft would be crucial factors in the championship fight.

Kubica delivered a sensational drive to finish second for Renault, demonstrating the R30's surprising competitiveness and the Polish driver's exceptional talent. Kubica had been in contention for victory throughout and his podium finish served notice that Renault would be regular points scorers in 2010. Massa secured third place for Ferrari, providing solid points but unable to match teammate Alonso's Bahrain dominance. Lewis Hamilton could only manage sixth after struggling with the McLaren's pace, while Mark Webber's Red Bull also retired with reliability issues. Button's victory meant four different drivers had led the championship in the first two races, perfectly capturing the open nature of the 2010 season and suggesting the title fight would go down to the wire.