2007 Australian Grand Prix

Milestones

Lewis Hamilton makes his Formula One debut this weekend, the first black driver to start a World Championship race. He joins double world champion Fernando Alonso at McLaren. Kimi Räikkönen makes his first start for Ferrari, replacing the retired Michael Schumacher. This is also the first race since the 2000 Malaysian Grand Prix in which all Formula One entrants run on Bridgestone tyres, following Michelin’s withdrawal at the end of last season.

Practice

Friday morning practice runs in wet conditions. Alonso sets the fastest time, over a second clear of Felipe Massa. The rain dries up for the afternoon session; Massa and Räikkönen go first and second for Ferrari, with Hamilton just under a tenth behind Räikkönen in third. Fisichella is fourth, Heidfeld fifth, and Wurz sixth.

Saturday morning brings sunny skies but a light drizzle at the start. Räikkönen settles into the pace-setter role and tops the session with a 1:26.064. Fisichella pushes his Renault to second, and Hamilton comes third, ahead of his teammate Alonso in seventh. Super Aguri’s Anthony Davidson and Takuma Sato go fourth and tenth — a strong start for the small team. Massa and Heidfeld complete the top six.