Australian Grand Prix 2006 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Fernando Alonso extended his championship lead with a commanding victory at the Australian Grand Prix, recovering from a disappointing qualifying to dominate the race at Melbourne's Albert Park circuit. The defending champion's third win in as many races gave him a perfect start to the 2006 season, while Jenson Button's sensational pole position for Honda provided the weekend's biggest surprise before his challenge faded in the race.

Button's pole lap of 1:25.229 was a stunning achievement for Honda, who had struggled throughout pre-season testing, and sparked hope that the RA106 might be competitive. However, those dreams evaporated when Button dropped back at the start and eventually retired with mechanical issues, epitomizing Honda's nightmare 2006 campaign. Alonso, starting from fifth on the grid, executed a brilliant first lap to move into second place behind Button, and when the Honda faltered, the Spaniard seized control and never looked back. His Renault R26 showed superior race pace, and Alonso managed the Melbourne street circuit with the precision of a champion.

Kimi Räikkönen drove an excellent race to finish second for McLaren, demonstrating the MP4-21's improving competitiveness and setting the fastest lap. The Finn pushed hard throughout but couldn't challenge Alonso's superior pace. Ralf Schumacher claimed a surprise podium for Toyota in third place, providing one of his few highlights in an otherwise difficult final season with the Japanese team. Michael Schumacher endured a frustrating weekend, failing to finish after an early collision damaged his Ferrari, leaving him scoreless and already trailing Alonso by 22 points in the championship. Alonso's perfect 30 points from three races established him as the clear favorite to retain his crown.