F1: The little team that could - Brawn GP finishes 1, 2 in Australian F1 Grand Prix

Total joy. Two drivers who had been written off as way past their prime in a car that until Friday night had no sponsors have produced a fairy tale opening to the 2009 series.

Barrichello, in his words, "had a little stall," at the start and slipped from 2nd to 6th. The was hit from behind by Kovalainen and bashed into, but was also bashed into by Webber in the first corner (Webber himself being constricted by Heidfeld and having nowhere to go in the squeeze), the front left wing was badly bent. But that didn't stop him.

But the race proved fascinating until the end. With four laps to go Kubica smashed into Vettel. Both tried to continue but both crashed at the next corner. Vettel, one wheel off the floor, kept going: the safety car was out, so no one could overtake him so long as he kept some form of forward movement. Eventually, though the car gave up under him and he was forced to park.

Sour grapes from Red Bull - Webber a lap down and supposed to go around and catch up the tail, relied on the rule that says that if he finishes behind the leader he can save a lap. So he stuck his car between the two Brawn GP cars ensuring that he spoiled their unique photo-opportunity.Red Bull had been ruled against when they tried to get the Brawn cars declared illegal.

Hamilton finished fourth - Trulli passed him under braking in the split second before the safety car was deployed - having started last on the grid. The two Toyotas started from the pit lane. Glock finished 5th. Alonso, Rosberg and debutant Bueni making up the points positions.

Ferrari's Massa retired as did Kovalainen. Raikkonen crashed but continued.

Post race, two experienced racing drivers sat in the post race interview crying. And who can blame them?

No-one in the history of Grand Prix racing has come close to their achievements.

There is no doubt that this is one of the most popular wins ever: a comeback from the dead that was Honda at the end of last season. And there is no doubt that it's not only the drivers who have tears in their eyes.

Oh, and a final warning from Barrichello: "if people thought that we have a big advantage from the diffuser, this proves them wrong. The hit from behind destroyed it."