Whilst it was the rain affected new qualifying format that drew the most comments from fans and media alike, the new regulation that mandates one engine be used for two events ushered in a whole new era in the sport's history.
For the first time ever a Championship round was no longer a stand alone event. For the first time ever the Australian Grand Prix was actually just the first leg of a two part race programme that also includes the Malaysian Grand Prix to be held March 20. For the first time ever (at least two) perfectly healthy racing cars were deliberately retired as a way of circumventing at least the spirit if not the letter of the new rules to later gain a perceived performance advantage.
The opening round of the 2005 Grand Prix season in Australia, brilliantly won by Giancarlo Fisichella in his Renault, was the first race held under new rules brought in to the liven up the show, slow the cars down, and cut costs.
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