Lewis' storming start

Hamilton: Great season start

Lewis Hamilton got McLaren’s F1 2008 campaign off to a storming start as he lead from the front to claim victory in a dramatic Australian Grand Prix.

In a chaotic race where only seven drivers finished, Hamilton raced flawlessly to beat Nick Heidfeld's BMW Sauber and Nico Rosberg's Williams and post an impressive win at a slippery Albert Park.

‘It's probably the best race I've had so far in terms of managing tyres, controlling my pace and confidence, and being comfortable in the car,’ said Hamilton.

‘But it's not the perfect win. There are a lot of areas I can improve.’

Steering clear of incident, Hamilton’s job was made easier as Ferrari’s World Champion Kimi Raikonnen fell back heavily after an error in a bid pass Hamilton’s team-mate Heikki Kovalainen.

It was a nightmare race for Ferrari, Felipe Massa spun out on the first lap, collided with David Coulthard’s Red Bull on the 26th lap and later suffered engine failure.

Massa’s antics incurred the wrath of Scot Coulthard who was blind livid at being shunted off the track.

‘If I don’t get an apology, I will kick ten colours of sh*t out of the little b*stard,’ fumed Coultard.

Massa’s apology won’t arrive in a hurry;

‘I don't know why he is not very happy, said the Ferarri driver.

‘He didn't see me. Next time ask him to watch in the mirrors because I was completely inside.

‘I'm definitely not going to speak to him.’

A win for Lewis, argy-bargy on and off the track, a great start to the Formula One season.

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