Lewis Hamilton got his bid for the 2008 Formula One world championship off to the perfect start with victory in a frenetic Australian Grand Prix.The McLaren driver dominated from pole position, overcoming three safety car periods as only seven cars made it to the end of the 58-lap race, to take the chequered flag 5.

Lewis Hamilton got his bid for the 2008 Formula One world championship off to the perfect start with victory in a frenetic Australian Grand Prix.

The McLaren driver dominated from pole position, overcoming three safety car periods as only seven cars made it to the end of the 58-lap race, to take the chequered flag 5.4 seconds ahead of BMW Sauber's Nick Heidfeld.

Nico Rosberg finished an impressive third for Williams