2010 Australian Grand Prix

The 2010 Australian Grand Prix, officially the 2010 Formula 1 Qantas Australian Grand Prix was the second race of the FIA Formula One World Championship, which took place at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, Australia, on 28 March 2010.'2. Australia 2010', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2010/australie.aspx, (Accessed 25/03/2020)'Button calls the shots for superb Melbourne victory', crash.net, (Crash Media Group, 28/03/2010), https://www.crash.net/f1/race-report/158158/1/button-calls-shots-for-superb-melbourne-f1-triumph, (Accessed 25/03/2020) The race would see Jenson Button secure his first victory as reigning World Champion, his first for .
Qualifying had been an all affair, although hopes of a home pole position for Mark Webber were dashed in Q3 as Sebastian Vettel claimed top spot on the grid. Fernando Alonso of was next ahead of Button, while Felipe Massa beat Nico Rosberg to fifth.
The start of the race would be staged on a damp circuit, meaning everyone would start the race on intermediate tyres. Regardless, Vettel would ease into an early lead off the grid, while a barnstorming start from Massa saw the #7 Ferrari leap into second. Webber hence slipped to third ahead of another fast starter in Robert Kubica, as behind Button and Alonso made contact, resulting in the Spaniard spinning to the back of the field and being struck by Michael Schumacher.
More contact came at turn three, as Kamui Kobayashi broke his front wing in an unseen incident, which duly fell off at turn six. The loss of front downforce mean that the Japanese racer had trouble slowing for the left-hander, resulting in the errant collecting Nico Hülkenberg and Sébastien Buemi and removing both from the precedings.
The damaged cars meant that the Safety Car was required, which duly stayed out until the end of lap four. Vettel duly aced the restart to ease clear of Massa, Webber fended off a lunge from Kubica, while Schumacher battled at the back of the field with the two s.
The order would steadily shift during the early stages, as Lewis Hamilton eased past teammate Button for sixth, while Massa's pace collapsed as the circuit began to dry. That prompted Button to stop for slicks on lap seven, having debated with the McLaren team that it was the right call, although he would almost immediately slide off the circuit at turn three and rejoin.
Yet, Button's pace would dramatically improve over the rest of the lap, prompting the rest of the field to flood into the pits over the following laps. After the stops Vettel would retain the lead as Button leapt up to second, while Kubica had jumped Webber to claim third.
The middle phase of the race would see Hamilton ease back up the field having lost out during the stops, moving up to challenge Kubica for third. That, however, would soon become a fight for second, as Vettel's race came to a spectacular end, a brake failure sending him pirouetting out of the race at Ascari on lap 26.
The second round of stops would further shake the order, although Button would retain a healthy lead over Kubica. Hamilton was the big loser as he made numerous mistakes and slipped into a fight with Webber, while Massa and Alonso jumped up to third and fourth.
The final laps would see Hamilton send a barrage of lunges at Alonso, only for the Spaniard to run him wide and allow Webber to get a run at the McLaren. The Australian racer's lunge duly saw the two make contact and spit both into the gravel, although both managed to rejoin.
Out front, meanwhile, Button would sweep across the line with a comfortable lead to claim victory, twelve seconds clear of Kubica. Massa was next ahead of Alonso, while Nico Rosberg just fell shy of the #8 Ferrari at the line and hence had to settle for fifth. Hamilton was next ahead of Vitantonio Liuzzi, with Rubens Barrichello, Webber and Michael Schumacher completing the scorers list.
==Background==
Fernando Alonso had claimed the early Championship lead with victory at the opening round, and established a seven point lead as a result of the new scoring system. Felipe Massa was his closest competitor in second, while Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel and Nico Rosberg completed the early top five. Five other drivers had also claimed opening day points, namely Michael Schumacher, Jenson Button, Mark Webber, Vitantonio Liuzzi and Rubens Barrichello.
In the Constructors Championship it had been a perfect start to the season for , as their one-two left them with a maximum score of 43 after just one race. would start the season in second ahead of the factory team, while opened their account in fourth with sixteen points. The only other scorers at the season opener were and .
===Entry List===
The full entry list for the is shown below:
No. 	Driver 	Entrant 	Constructor 	Chassis 	Engine 	Model 	Tyre
1 	Jenson Button 	Vodafone McLaren Mercedes 	 	MP4-25 	 	FO 108X 2.4 V8 	
2 	Lewis Hamilton 	Vodafone McLaren Mercedes 	 	MP4-25 	 	FO 108X 2.4 V8 	
3 	Michael Schumacher 	Mercedes GP Petronas F1 Team 	 	MGP W01 	 	FO 108X 2.4 V8 	
4 	Nico Rosberg 	Mercedes GP Petronas F1 Team 	 	MGP W01 	 	FO 108X 2.4 V8 	
5 	Sebastian Vettel 	Red Bull Racing 	 	RB6 	 	RS27-2010 2.4 V8 	
6 	Mark Webber 	Red Bull Racing 	 	RB6 	 	RS27-2010 2.4 V8 	
7 	Felipe Massa 	Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro 	 	F10 	 	056 2010 2.4 V8 	
8 	Fernando Alonso 	Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro 	 	F10 	 	056 2010 2.4 V8 	
9 	Rubens Barrichello 	AT&T Williams 	 	FW32 	 	CA2010 2.4 V8 	
10 	Nico Hülkenberg 	AT&T Williams 	 	FW32 	 	CA2010 2.4 V8 	
11 	Robert Kubica 	Renault F1 Team 	 	R30 	 	RS27-2010 2.4 V8 	
12 	Vitaly Petrov 	Renault F1 Team 	 	R30 	 	RS27-2010 2.4 V8 	
14 	Adrian Sutil 	Force India F1 Team 	 	VJM03 	 	FO 108X 2.4 V8 	
15 	Vitantonio Liuzzi 	Force India F1 Team 	 	VJM03 	 	FO 108X 2.4 V8 	
16 	Sébastien Buemi 	Scuderia Toro Rosso 	 	STR5 	 	056 2010 2.4 V8 	
17 	Jaime Alguersuari 	Scuderia Toro Rosso 	 	STR5 	 	056 2010 2.4 V8 	
18 	Jarno Trulli 	Lotus Racing 	 	T127 	 	CA2010 2.4 V8 	
19 	Heikki Kovalainen 	Lotus Racing 	 	T127 	 	CA2010 2.4 V8 	
20 	Karun Chandhok 	Hispania Racing F1 Team 	 	F110 	 	CA2010 2.4 V8 	
21 	Bruno Senna 	Hispania Racing F1 Team 	 	F110 	 	CA2010 2.4 V8 	
22 	Pedro de la Rosa 	BMW Sauber F1 Team 	 	C29 	 	056 2010 2.4 V8 	
23 	Kamui Kobayashi 	BMW Sauber F1 Team 	 	C29 	 	056 2010 2.4 V8 	
24 	Timo Glock 	Virgin Racing 	 	VR-01 	 	CA2010 2.4 V8 	
25 	Lucas di Grassi 	Virgin Racing 	 	VR-01 	 	CA2010 2.4 V8 	
Test Drivers for Practice Sessions Only 	Test Drivers for Practice Sessions Only 	Test Drivers for Practice Sessions Only 	Test Drivers for Practice Sessions Only 	Test Drivers for Practice Sessions Only 	Test Drivers for Practice Sessions Only 	Test Drivers for Practice Sessions Only 	Test Drivers for Practice Sessions Only
14 	Paul di Resta 	Force India F1 Team 	 	VJM03 	 	FO 108X 2.4 V8 	
Source:'Australia 2010: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2010/australie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 25/03/2020)	Source:'Australia 2010: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2010/australie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 25/03/2020)	Source:'Australia 2010: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2010/australie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 25/03/2020)	Source:'Australia 2010: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2010/australie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 25/03/2020)	Source:'Australia 2010: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2010/australie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 25/03/2020)	Source:'Australia 2010: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2010/australie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 25/03/2020)	Source:'Australia 2010: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2010/australie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 25/03/2020)	Source:'Australia 2010: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2010/australie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 25/03/2020)
==Practice Overview==
==Qualifying==
===Q1===
===Q2===
===Q3===
===Qualifying Results===
The full qualifying results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Team 	 	Q1 	Q1 	 	Q2 	Q2 	 	Q3 	Q3 	Grid
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Team 	 	Pos. 	Time 	 	Pos. 	Time 	 	Pos. 	Time 	Grid
1 	5 	Sebastian Vettel 	 	 	1 	1:24.774 	 	1 	1:24.096 	 	1 	1:23.919 	1
2 	6 	Mark Webber 	 	 	6 	1:25.286 	 	2 	1:24.276 	 	2 	1:24.035 	2
3 	8 	Fernando Alonso 	 	 	5 	1:25.082 	 	3 	1:24.335 	 	3 	1:24.111 	3
4 	1 	Jenson Button 	 	 	3 	1:24.897 	 	4 	1:24.537 	 	4 	1:24.675 	4
5 	7 	Felipe Massa 	 	 	9 	1:25.548 	 	7 	1:25.010 	 	5 	1:24.837 	5
6 	4 	Nico Rosberg 	 	 	2 	1:24.788 	 	5 	1:24.788 	 	6 	1:24.884 	6
7 	3 	Michael Schumacher 	 	 	7 	1:25.351 	 	6 	1:24.871 	 	7 	1:24.927 	7
8 	9 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	 	11 	1:25.702 	 	9 	1:25.085 	 	8 	1:25.217 	8
9 	11 	Robert Kubica 	 	 	10 	1:25.588 	 	10 	1:25.122 	 	9 	1:25.372 	9
10 	14 	Adrian Sutil 	 	 	8 	1:25.504 	 	8 	1:25.046 	 	10 	1:26.036 	10
11 	2 	Lewis Hamilton 	 	 	4 	1:25.046 	 	11 	1:25.184 	 	 	 	11
12 	16 	Sébastien Buemi 	 	 	13 	1:26.061 	 	12 	1:25.638 	 	 	 	12
13 	15 	Vitantonio Liuzzi 	 	 	16 	1:26.170 	 	13 	1:25.743 	 	 	 	13
14 	22 	Pedro de la Rosa 	 	 	14 	1:26.089 	 	14 	1:25.747 	 	 	 	14
15 	10 	Nico Hülkenberg 	 	 	12 	1:25.866 	 	15 	1:25.748 	 	 	 	15
16 	23 	Kamui Kobayashi 	 	 	17 	1:26.251 	 	16 	1:25.777 	 	 	 	16
17 	17 	Jaime Alguersuari 	 	 	15 	1:26.095 	 	17 	1:26.089 	 	 	 	17
18 	12 	Vitaly Petrov 	 	 	18 	1:26.471 	 	 	 	 	 	 	18
19 	19 	Heikki Kovalainen 	 	 	19 	1:28.797 	 	 	 	 	 	 	19
20 	18 	Jarno Trulli 	 	 	20 	1:29.111 	 	 	 	 	 	 	20
21 	24 	Timo Glock 	 	 	21 	1:29.592 	 	 	 	 	 	 	21
22 	25 	Lucas di Grassi 	 	 	22 	1:30.185 	 	 	 	 	 	 	22
23 	21 	Bruno Senna 	 	 	23 	1:30.526 	 	 	 	 	 	 	23
24 	20 	Karun Chandhok 	 	 	24 	1:30.613 	 	 	 	 	 	 	24
Source:'2010 FORMULA 1 QANTAS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Limited, 2006), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2010/races/861/australia/qualifying.html, (Accessed 25/03/2020)	Source:'2010 FORMULA 1 QANTAS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Limited, 2006), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2010/races/861/australia/qualifying.html, (Accessed 25/03/2020)	Source:'2010 FORMULA 1 QANTAS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Limited, 2006), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2010/races/861/australia/qualifying.html, (Accessed 25/03/2020)	Source:'2010 FORMULA 1 QANTAS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Limited, 2006), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2010/races/861/australia/qualifying.html, (Accessed 25/03/2020)	Source:'2010 FORMULA 1 QANTAS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Limited, 2006), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2010/races/861/australia/qualifying.html, (Accessed 25/03/2020)	Source:'2010 FORMULA 1 QANTAS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Limited, 2006), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2010/races/861/australia/qualifying.html, (Accessed 25/03/2020)	Source:'2010 FORMULA 1 QANTAS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Limited, 2006), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2010/races/861/australia/qualifying.html, (Accessed 25/03/2020)	Source:'2010 FORMULA 1 QANTAS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Limited, 2006), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2010/races/861/australia/qualifying.html, (Accessed 25/03/2020)	Source:'2010 FORMULA 1 QANTAS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Limited, 2006), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2010/races/861/australia/qualifying.html, (Accessed 25/03/2020)	Source:'2010 FORMULA 1 QANTAS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Limited, 2006), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2010/races/861/australia/qualifying.html, (Accessed 25/03/2020)	Source:'2010 FORMULA 1 QANTAS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Limited, 2006), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2010/races/861/australia/qualifying.html, (Accessed 25/03/2020)	Source:'2010 FORMULA 1 QANTAS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Limited, 2006), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2010/races/861/australia/qualifying.html, (Accessed 25/03/2020)	Source:'2010 FORMULA 1 QANTAS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Limited, 2006), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2010/races/861/australia/qualifying.html, (Accessed 25/03/2020)	Source:'2010 FORMULA 1 QANTAS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Limited, 2006), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/2010/races/861/australia/qualifying.html, (Accessed 25/03/2020)
*Bold indicates the fastest driver's time in each session.
===Grid===
** Trulli was unable to start the race duel to a hydraulic failure.
*† Glock and di Grassi started from the pitlane after Virgin changed the fuel collectors on both of their cars.
==Race==
===Report===
===Results===
The full results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Laps 	Time/Retired 	Grid 	Points
1 	1 	Jenson Button 	 	58 	1:33:36.531 	4 	25
2 	11 	Robert Kubica 	 	58 	+12.034s 	9 	18
3 	7 	Felipe Massa 	 	58 	+14.488s 	5 	15
4 	8 	Fernando Alonso 	 	58 	+16.304s 	3 	12
5 	4 	Nico Rosberg 	 	58 	+16.683s 	6 	10
6 	2 	Lewis Hamilton 	 	58 	+29.989s 	11 	8
7 	15 	Vitantonio Liuzzi 	 	58 	+59.847s 	13 	6
8 	9 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	58 	+1:00.536 	8 	4
9 	6 	Mark Webber 	 	58 	+1:07.319 	2 	2
10 	3 	Michael Schumacher 	 	58 	+1:09.391 	7 	1
11 	17 	Jaime Alguersuari 	 	58 	+1:11.301 	17 	
12 	22 	Pedro de la Rosa 	 	58 	+1:14.084 	14 	
13 	19 	Heikki Kovalainen 	 	56 	+2 Laps 	19 	
14 	20 	Karun Chandhok 	 	53 	+5 Laps 	22 	
Ret 	24 	Timo Glock 	 	41 	Suspension 	PL 	
Ret 	25 	Lucas di Grassi 	 	26 	Hydraulics 	PL 	
Ret 	5 	Sebastian Vettel 	 	25 	Brakes 	1 	
Ret 	14 	Adrian Sutil 	 	9 	Engine 	10 	
Ret 	12 	Vitaly Petrov 	 	9 	Spin 	18 	
Ret 	21 	Bruno Senna 	 	4 	Hydraulics 	21 	
Ret 	16 	Sébastien Buemi 	 	0 	Collision 	12 	
Ret 	10 	Nico Hülkenberg 	 	0 	Collision 	15 	
Ret 	23 	Kamui Kobayashi 	 	0 	Collision 	16 	
DNS* 	18 	Jarno Trulli 	 	 	 	 	
Source:'Australia 2010: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2010/australie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 25/03/2020)	Source:'Australia 2010: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2010/australie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 25/03/2020)	Source:'Australia 2010: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2010/australie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 25/03/2020)	Source:'Australia 2010: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2010/australie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 25/03/2020)	Source:'Australia 2010: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2010/australie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 25/03/2020)	Source:'Australia 2010: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2010/australie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 25/03/2020)	Source:'Australia 2010: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2010/australie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 25/03/2020)	Source:'Australia 2010: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/2010/australie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 25/03/2020)
** Trulli was unable to start due to a hydraulic failure.
==Milestones==
* Eighth victory for Jenson Button.
* 165th win for as a constructor.
** secured their 78th win as an engine supplier.
* Tenth podium finish for Robert Kubica.
* Felipe Massa claimed his 30th podium finish.
==Standings==
Fernando Alonso had retained the lead in the Championship after the second round in Australia, although his advantage at the head of the field had been cut almost in two. Indeed, Felipe Massa had moved to within four points of his teammate in second, while race winner Jenson Button had leapt into third, six off the early leader. Behind, Lewis Hamilton had slipped to fourth ahead of Nico Rosberg, while Robert Kubica had been the only driver to add their name to the scorers list in Melbourne.
In the Constructors Championship it was who continued to lead the charge in the early stages, moving onto 70 points after two rounds. were still their closest combatants in second, sixteen off the lead, while had retained third on 29. Behind, were on the board for the first time in and moved into fourth, had slipped to fifth, while and were the only other scorers.
World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers
Pos. 	Driver 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	Fernando Alonso 	37 	
2 	Felipe Massa 	33 	
3 	Jenson Button 	31 	4
4 	Lewis Hamilton 	23 	1
5 	Nico Rosberg 	20 	
6 	Robert Kubica 	18 	5
7 	Sebastian Vettel 	12 	3
8 	Michael Schumacher 	9 	2
9 	Vitantonio Liuzzi 	8 	
10 	Mark Webber 	6 	2
11 	Rubens Barrichello 	5 	1
World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors
Pos. 	Team 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	 	70 	
2 	 	54 	
3 	 	29 	
4 	 	18 	3
5 	 	18 	1
6 	 	8 	1
7 	 	5 	1
Only point scoring drivers and constructors are shown.
==References==
Images and Videos:
*
References:
Category:2010 Grands Prix
Category:Grand Prix articles
Category:Australian Grand Prix