Jenson Button claimed his first victory for McLaren with a controlled drive and perfect tyre strategy in a thrilling Australian Grand Prix.
The reigning world champion's bold early switch to dry tyres after clashing with Fernando Alonso and losing time at the start of the damp race put him in position to inherit the lead when a brake failure pitched Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) into the gravel.
See the Australian Grand Prix pictures
Robert Kubica claimed a superb second for Renault, fending off Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso's Ferraris, and Nico Rosberg's Mercedes.
The top four finishers nursed their tyres to the end while their pursuers took on fresh rubber at half-distance, adding some extra spice to the racing.
Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) and Mark Webber (Red Bull) had been in the thick of this fight too until a late tangle set them back.
Race results:
1. Button McLaren-Mercedes 1h33:36.531
2. Kubica Renault +12.034
3. Massa Ferrari +14.488
4. Alonso Ferrari +16.304
5. Rosberg Mercedes +16.683
6. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes +29.898
7. Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes +59.847
8. Barrichello Williams-Cosworth +1:00.536
9. Webber Red Bull-Renault +1:07.319
10. Schumacher Mercedes +1:09.391
11. Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari +1:11.301
12. De la Rosa Sauber-Ferrari +1:14.084
13. Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth +2 laps
14. Chandhok HRT-Cosworth +4 laps
Drivers' championship:
1. Alonso 37
2. Massa 33
3. Button 31
4. Hamilton 23
5. Rosberg 20
6. Kubica 18
7. Vettel 12
8. Schumacher 9
9. Liuzzi 8
10. Webber 6
11. Barrichello 5
Constructors:
1. Ferrari 70
2. McLaren-Mercedes 54
3. Mercedes 29
4. Red Bull-Renault 18
5. Renault 18
6. Force India-Mercedes 8
7. Williams-Cosworth 5
All timing unofficial
