After Schumacher, it’s Raikkonen for Ferrari now

Kimi Raikkonen, making his debut for Ferrari, won the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on Sunday for his 10th Formula One victory.

This was the first race for Kimi Raikkonen from Ferrari’s counters. Raikkonen started from the pole position and all through took the lead in his hand.

“It is a special moment with a new team, everything is new, new to win in the first race…to win straightway”, Raikkonen said, “Am really happy with the team and the way things are going. It couldn’t be any better then it is now”.

Australian Grand Prix had 58 fast and furious laps of the 5.303 km Albert Park Circuit.

Kimi Raikkonen got his Ferrari carrier with a perfect start with his first pole position in Melbourne as 76000 fans were treated to a superb qualifying session for today’s 2007 Formula One Australian Grand Prix.

Raikkonen had the lead all through the game from Fernando Alonso who was with Mclaren-Mercedes. His teammate from Mclaren Lewis Hamilton the first black driver in F 1 finished third.

Raikkonen’s Ferrari teammate, Felipe Massa finished sixth.

Raikkonen completed the circuit 7.2 seconds ahead of Alonso, with Hamilton 18.5 seconds behind completing the race in third position.

Hamilton said, “To lead into my first Grand prix was a fantastic feeling. To be in my first Grand Prix, something I have been working for so many years. The hard work has just paid off. Am just extremely happy for myself. The team is ecstatic…. I still am”.

Massa’s new teammate for the 2007 season, Raikkonen, came to Ferrari with nine Grand Prix wins under his belt and a reputation as one of the fastest drivers of the new generation. The 27 years old Finn, said, “ his excitement entering his first race with a new team, and believes his combination with Massa will push the team forward”.

After six seasons in F1, one with Sauber and the last five with Mclaren, Raikkonen has started his first season on Bridgestone tyres.

Malaysian Grand Prix is the next race, which will hold on April 8th.