Toyota had a good first day

"It was a real baptism of fire," said Webber. "It was very special for me, obviously, to leave the pit lane here in Australia.

"A lot of people helped me along the way so there were a few people very happy to see me leave the garage today."

A home victory may not be on the cards, but for the next three days the city will rock to the sound of roaring engines and the Albert Park circuit will rarely be empty.

Events include the sight and sound of the new two-seater Minardis carrying celebrities, such as the latest Aussie hero Stephen Bradbury, the Winter Olympic gold medallist.

One of the highlights from Thursday's action was the K�rcher Formula Ford Track Attack race, which featured a rather familiar name - or rather surname.

Fabian Coulthard, whose father is David's second cousin, won the second Formula Ford race.

And he did so in a fashion that speed skater Bradbury would have been proud of - the two leading cars collided on the final corner for Coulthard to coast home first.

Tension mounts in the BAR pit lane

Away from the interest surrounding Webber, the serious business of the first practice session saw world champion Michael Schumacher looking unbeatable already.

There was also good news for Toyota, who looked impressive and topped the teams in straight-line speed.

But it looks like David Coulthard may have a tough season ahead as the visual difference between the Scot and team-mate Raikkonen was almost indiscernible.

As the race approaches the tension is rising, not only in the pit lane but around the city as a whole, and Friday's crowd was huge compared to the previous day.

This season's Australian Grand Prix will have that little extra something as the country is represented on the starting grid.

But atmosphere has never been in short supply at the season's first Grand Prix and, whatever the outcome, it seems this year will be no different.