2000 Australian Grand Prix
The 2000 Australian Grand Prix (officially known as the 2000 Qantas Australian Grand Prix) was a Formula One motor race held on 12 March 2000 at the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit, Melbourne. It was the first race of the 2000 Formula One season. The 58-lap race was won by Michael Schumacher for the Ferrari team after starting from third position. Schumacher's new teammate for the 2000 season, Rubens Barrichello finished second in the other Ferrari, with Ralf Schumacher third for BMW-Williams.
| 2000 Australian Grand Prix | |||||
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Race 1 of 17 in the 2000 Formula One World Championship
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Albert Park Circuit | |||||
| Race details | |||||
| Date | 12 March 2000 | ||||
| Official name | 2000 Qantas Australian Grand Prix | ||||
| Location | Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit, Melbourne, Australia | ||||
| Course | Temporary street circuit | ||||
| Course length | 5.303 km (3.295 miles) | ||||
| Distance | 58 laps, 307.574 km (191.118 miles) | ||||
| Weather | Sunny, Air Temp: 20 °C | ||||
| Pole position | |||||
| Driver | McLaren-Mercedes | ||||
| Time | 1:30.556 | ||||
| Fastest lap | |||||
| Driver | Rubens Barrichello | Ferrari | |||
| Time | 1:31.481 on lap 41 | ||||
| Podium | |||||
| First | Ferrari | ||||
| Second | Ferrari | ||||
| Third | Williams-BMW | ||||
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Lap leaders | |||||
Mika Häkkinen started on pole position in a McLaren, with teammate David Coulthard alongside him, but both retired with pneumatic valve failures. Three drivers made their Grand Prix debut: future world champion Jenson Button in a BMW-Williams, Nick Heidfeld in a Prost and Gastón Mazzacane in a Minardi. Mazzacane and Button retired from their debut race, and Heidfeld finished ninth, two laps behind.