Four different drivers led a topsy-turvy opening grand prix of the season. David Coulthard eventually triumphed for McLaren – and Michelin drivers monopolised the podium for the first time in the modern era.

Michelin driver David Coulthard (West McLaren Mercedes-Michelin) got his Formula One season off to a flying start in Melbourne. Although the Scot lined up only 11th, after running wide during his qualifying lap, he profited from canny race craft and others’ misfortunes to score his first win since last year’s Monaco GP.

Having opted for wet tyres on a drying track, the Scot pitted for dries on the second lap. Although that dropped him to the tail of the field, he didn’t lose too much time because the field soon bunched up behind the Safety Car, which was deployed twice during the first 17 laps to allow accident debris and stranded cars to be cleared.

Coulthard’s team-mate Kimi Raikkonen appeared to be on course for a memorable maiden victory, after starting on dry tyres from the pit lane, but the Finn was later penalised for speeding through the pits after making a scheduled refuelling stop on lap 33. That handed the advantage to world champion Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari, until he pitted on lap 46 to have some damaged bodywork removed from his car. That, in turn, put early pace-setter Juan Pablo Montoya (BMW WilliamsF1 Team/Michelin) in control. Starting on dries, the Colombian twice had a comfortable lead wiped out by the Safety Car periods, but just as fate appeared to have restored his advantage he spun at Turn Two and Coulthard swept into a lead he was never to lose. Montoya recovered to finish second from Räikkönen and Schumacher to give Michelin its first 1-2-3 finish since it returned to grand prix racing two years ago.

Coulthard said: “It was touch and go whether to start on wets or dries – and it looks as though dries was the right call. The Safety Car helped us a bit today and after that it was a case of not making mistakes and keeping the car on the island.”

Michelin drivers occupied six of the top eight positions. Jarno Trulli (Renault) finished fifth, his team-mate Fernando Alonso was seventh – and scored his first F1 points – and Ralf Schumacher (BMW WilliamsF1 Team) came in eighth after a torrid race. The German spun shortly after leaving the pits and at one point was almost hit by the spinning Sauber of Nick Heidfeld.

Jaguar rookie Antonio Pizzonia spun off shortly before the finish, while running 12th, and the remaining Michelin drivers retired. Toyota’s new signing Olivier Panis ran as high as fifth before being penalised for crossing the pit exit blend line and a technical problem forced him to withdraw shortly afterwards. Local favourite Mark Webber (Jaguar) was running a strong sixth when a rear suspension problem caused him to park on lap 16. Cristiano Matta (Toyota) spun off on lap eight.

Pierre Dupasquier, Michelin Motorsport Director , commented on the days events.

Pierre Dupasquier said: “Today’s result was partly affected by the weather and partly by the Safety Car periods, so it is hard to draw any firm conclusions, but it is clear that our tyres were fast, consistent and very durable.

“Four of the five tyre compounds we brought with us this weekend were used in the race and it was very satisfying to see that all five teams on Michelin tyres all proved to be competitive.

“We took a look at the conditions and advised our partners that dry tyres were the best option, although the final decision is always up to them. We knew that wets would last only a few laps, perhaps five at the most, and there was no rain forecast in the short term. I think the early laps proved that our instincts were correct… even though David Coulthard won after starting on wets! It just shows you can never be sure in this sport. He changed on lap two and all our other cars started on dries – including Kimi, who switched at the end of the warm-up lap. The dries proved to be ideal for the conditions.

"Our performances at the end of 2002 and today prove that our current range of tyres is effective – but the quest for improved performance never ends. We will not be sitting on our laurels.”