Fernando Alonso starts his day by meeting Australian Hollywood actor Eric Bana, star of the film Munich

Jenson Button leads the field as the lights go out and the Australian Grand Prix gets under way

Button holds off Alonso at the start of the race as the two McLarens battle behind

A first-corner collision between Nico Rosberg, Felipe Massa and Christian Klien brings out the first of four safety cars

Button does not hold the lead for long - Alonso passes him on the first re-start

Button is left to fend off the advances of Kimi Raikkonen, with Juan Pablo Montoya and Mark Webber close behind

Michael Schumacher struggles badly in the early laps, finds some pace after his pit stop but crashes pushing too hard

Ralf Schumacher brings some smiles to Toyota faces as he ends their poor start to the season by finishing third

Button's engine explodes into flames as he enters the pit straight for the final time and he is classified in 10th place

Alonso celebrates his second victory of the year and the 10th of his career

The Spaniard now has an already-daunting 14-point championship lead