Ferrari one-two in Australia

The German finished 11.4s ahead of Rubens Barrichello to give the Italian team maximum points from the opening round of the season.

Ralf Schumacher (Williams) was third, with British American Racing's Jacques Villeneuve finishing fourth.

Fifth was Giancarlo Fisichella (Benetton) ahead of Sauber driver Mika Salo.

Early leader Mika Hakkinen retired on lap 18 after his McLaren-Mercedes engine blew.

His team-mate David Coulthard suffered a similar fate six laps earlier.

Jenson Button had an impressive debut, making up six places on the opening lap of the race.

However, he retired on lap 46 with engine trouble, when running sixth.

Jaguar duo Johnny Herbert and Eddie Irvine suffered a torrid time.

Herbert became the first driver to retire this season after colliding with a Sauber on lap one.

Irvine retired on lap six after losing control of his ill-handling Jaguar.