The 2008 Australian Grand Prix opened the traction-control-free era of Formula 1, with only 7 of 22 cars finishing after three safety car periods.
Key Facts
- Race winner
- Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
- Total laps
- 58 laps
- Cars classified as finishers
- 6 cars
- Safety car interruptions
- 3
- Pole position margin over Kubica
- 0.15 seconds
- First race without traction control since
- 2001 San Marino Grand Prix
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The FIA banned traction control at the end of the 2007 season, making the 2008 Australian Grand Prix the first race in seven years to run without the technology. High attrition resulted from multiple collisions, triggering safety car periods on laps 1, 26, and 42 and eliminating the majority of the 22 competing cars.
Held on 16 March 2008 at Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit, the 58-lap race saw Lewis Hamilton start from pole and lead for most of the race, ultimately finishing first. Nick Heidfeld placed second for BMW Sauber and Nico Rosberg third for Williams. Rubens Barrichello was disqualified for an illegal pit lane exit, reducing classified finishers to six.
Hamilton and McLaren took early leads in the Drivers' and Constructors' Championships respectively. Nico Rosberg secured his first Formula 1 podium finish, and the race confirmed that the absence of traction control would be a defining characteristic of the 2008 season, increasing technical and driver challenge throughout the year.
Result
at Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit, Melbourne, Australia