Formula One news

Magic 1-2 lockout for Brawn

Jenson Button's Formula 1 career has taken a major step in the right direction as the Englishman stormed to pole position in Australia, as his Brawn GP team celebrate an historic first qualifying session by locking out the front row of the grid. Behind the white cars was Sebastian Vettel for Red Bull, with World Champion Lewis Hamilton starting the Grand Prix from fifteenth position.

The Mercedes-powered Brawn cars were quick throughout qualifying, despite the many changes going out throughout the field; the front-row lockout was the first for a new team since the March outfit in 1970. Behind a delighed Button and Rubens Barrichello was the Red Bull of Sebastian Vettel, saying 'goodbye' to the previous troubles he has suffered so far this weekend. Robert Kubica starts fourth for BMW with Nico Rosberg, fastest in all practice sessions, in fifth position.

Hamilton ended his day in the garage with a gearbox problem

Behind sixth placed Timo Glock was the leading Ferrari of Felipe Massa, with Trulli eighth and 2007 champion Räikkönen in ninth spot. Local favourite Mark Webber rounded out the top ten for Red Bull Racing.

Eliminated in the second phase of qualifying were Heidfeld, Alonso, Nakajima and, notably, the two McLarens of Heikki Kovalainen and World Champion Lewis Hamilton; the Englishman just managed to get through to the second phase of quaifying, only to remain in the garage with a gearbox problem.

The first part of qualifying saw the demise of the two Toro Rosso's; newcomer Sebastien Buemi finished in 16th position although team-mate Sebastien Bourdais struggled to warm up his tyres and is 20th and last. Between them, Nelson Piquet's Renault lines up in 17th position with the two Force Indias of Giancarlo Fisichella and Adrian Sutil right behind him.

more news

• 28 Nov.
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  • Raikkonen close to Citroen WRC deal
  • Tung looking for 'useful' test
• 27 Nov.
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  • GPUpdate TV: Domenicali - high hopes for 2010
  • Jerez test: The cast
  • Wurz plays down USF1 link
  • Renault to test Baguette, Tung and Di Grassi
  • Alonso makes second visit to Ferrari
  • Force India confirms Sutil and Liuzzi
  • All new teams now FOTA members
  • Sauber buys team back from BMW
  • De la Rosa pushing for race drive
  • Ecclestone: I won't buy Donington
  • Haug becomes part of F1 in Schools
  • Volkswagen to provide F1 engines?
• 26 Nov.
  • Alguersuari: 2010 contract is signed
  • Conway and Ericsson to test for Mercedes
  • 4 driver options left for Lotus
  • 'F1 in need of Schumacher return' - Verstappen
• 25 Nov.
  • 'Fantastic opportunity' - Di Resta on Force India test
  • Recap: N.Technology court bid fails
  • BMW testers excited about Jerez
  • Brawn disappointed with Button drives, ponders Lauda
  • Piquet to drive in Massa kart race
  • Brawn aero chief wins award
  • Gillett disappointed with government position
  • Mercedes hopes to confirm line-up by Christmas
• 24 Nov.
  • Briatore verdict expected in January
  • Donington still hopeful over F1 race
  • Montreal race confirmation imminent
  • Massa names drivers for karting event
  • Campos car passes FIA safety tests
  • Strong test could seal drive, says Mallya
  • Force India to test di Resta and Hildebrand
  • Courts to hear Briatore case
  • Silverstone GP deal forthcoming
• 23 Nov.
  • GPUpdate TV: Sam Michael - building on 2009
  • Theissen waiting on entry decision
  • Mercedes delighted with Rosberg confirmation

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