Hamilton opens with victory at Aussie GP

MELBOURNE: Lewis Hamilton put a line under McLaren's tumultuous last season with an emphatic opening-season victory in the Australian Grand Prix as world champion Ferrari melted in the Melbourne heat yesterday.

The 23-year-old British star, who came within a point of landing the world driver's title in 2007, controlled the race from the outset and had more than five seconds to spare at the flag.

Hamilton cruised to the finish line ahead of BMW-Sauber's German Nick Heidfeld and his compatriot Nico Rosberg in a Williams to strike first blood in the 18-race F1 campaign.