Button wins Australian Grand Prix

Melbourne, Mar 28(ANI): Reigning Formula One champion Jenson Button stormed to victory in the Australian Grand Prix on the Albert Park street circuit in Melbourne on Sunday.

Button claimed a second straight victory in Australia when he led for the second half of the race to finish ahead of Renault's Robert Kubica in second and Ferrari's Felipe Massa completing the podium.

The 29-year-old took charge of the race after Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel, who started in pole position, was pitched into the gravel mid-race by a brake failure.

"It feels so good ... Guys, amazing job, I think we got that pitstop pretty much perfect," Stuff.co.nz quoted Button, as shouting over the team radio after the race.

"It was the right time. Fantastic job, this is a great way to start the year," he added.

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso recovered from a spin in the first lap to take fourth place, while Mercedes' Nico Rosberg finished fifth.

Button's team-mate Lewis Hamilton had a nightmare when he crashed into Mark Webber's Red Bull on the last lap, taking him out of contention.

Webber, who was the local favourite and started the race on the front row, finished ninth.

Seven-time champion Michael Schumacher finished 10th after being effectively ruled out of the running at the first corner.

Alonso, who won in Bahrain last week, is at the top of the standings after two races with 37 points, in front of Massa who has 33.

Button's victory allowed him to claw back to 31 in the championship race and took McLaren to 54 points in the constructors' standings, second behind Ferrari on 70. (ANI)