Formula 1: Faultless Lewis Hamilton gets away to a flying start

Lewis Hamilton began the first Formula One race of the season in Australia in pole position - and ended the race in the same place. He lead from start to finish and there was no-one to match him.

While others where in trouble from the start, Hamilton kept his cool in very humid conditions to land a deserved opening victory, leaving many of his rivals struggling to even reach the top eight and gain any kind of points. Hamilton was dominant in his McLaren car. The joy on his face, and the face of team boss Ron Dennis, was a delight for all to see.

Hamilton and Dennis embraced and jumped around as he took his place on the podium. Every member of the team was thrilled with the start to the 2008 season, drinking champagne and praising the young driver's skill. Hamilton was quick to praise his mechanics and boss too, and knew he couldn't do it without them. 

The number two driver on the McLaren team, Heikki Kovalainen, was unlucky not to join his teammante on the podium, but because of a problem with the safety car Kovalainen had to settle for a fifth-place finish - still a hugely successful day for the young Finn.