Kimi Raikkonen wins Australian F1 grand prix

A BOLD tactical gamble by Kimi Raikkonen has claimed him the Australian GP in a race where local hope Mark Webber blew his chances at the start.

A BOLD tactical gamble by Finnish star Kimi Raikkonen has claimed him the Australian Grand Prix in a race where local hope Mark Webber blew his chances at the start.

Raikkonen, who last won in Melbourne in 2007 when driving the Ferrari he took to a world championship, pitted only twice in his Lotus in comparison to his major rivals, who all opted to change tyres three times in the race.

It allowed him to coast home more than 12 seconds in front of Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, with reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel finishing third more than 22 seconds adrift.

Raikkonen, who left Formula One for two seasons before returning last year with Lotus, paid tribute to his manufacturing team for the condition of his car and their tactical nous.

"The car is absolutely superb. Thanks to everybody," he said over radio.

Webber's hopes were effectively over from the opening term. He started disastrously from the front row when sliding from second to seventh as his teammate Sebastian Vettel led the field around the first term from pole position.

It continued his misfortune in Melbourne where, from 12 starts, he has failed to finish four times and is yet to claim a podium finish.

Although it is not completely disastrous - Webber will receive championship points for finishing sixth, almost 47 seconds behind Raikkonen - there is no doubting the 36-year-old will leave Australia disappointed that a golden chance has gone begging.

Nor did his teammate Daniel Ricciardo experience great joy in Melbourne. Although he was never going to threaten for the title or podium given the speed of his Toro Rosso, Ricciardo would have hoped to earn a championship point if possible.

Instead he started slowly from 14th on the grid and by lap 42 of 58 the Western Australian was headed back to the garage as one of three drivers who failed to finish, though at least they made it to the track.

Nico Hulkenberg, who started from 11 after qualifying was completed yesterday morning, did not start due to a malfuction in his car as his rivals headed out to begin warming up.