Michael Schumacher led from start to finish to open his campaign for a seventh Formula One world title with a commanding victory at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on Sunday.

The most successful driver in the history of the sport secured the 71st victory of his career by 13.6seconds from Ferrari team-mate Rubens Barrichello.

Spain's Fernando Alonso, in the Renault, finished third, with Ralf Schumacher fourth, his Williams team-mate Juan Pablo Montoya fifth and Britain's Jenson Button sixth.

Jarno Trulli in the other Renault was seventh with David Coulthard eighth for McLaren.

Kimi Raikkonen in the other McLaren retired early with an engine problem.

"But we knew the cars were going well all weekend and the good thing for me is that I go home with two more points after this race than I had after the first three races last year.

"I don't think it is hard from my point of view to be motivated. I'm in the best team, I just love the sport and I just love fighting on the circuit."

Barrichello added: "The first half of the race was very exciting and we were doing some fantastic times.

"But then I had some problems with my break pads going down, down, down, Michael opened up a bit of a gap and I just couldn't compete with him."

Spain's Fernando Alonso, who clinched third for Renault after making a stunning start, finished some 34.6 seconds behind Schumacher and 21 seconds behind Barrichello.

While the Ferrari pair marched inexorably to first and second, attention turned further down the field to the battle for places and points.

Alonso leaped from fifth on the grid to third, forcing Williams' Juan Pablo Montoya down the field.

The Colombian hit back strongly, hauling in Jarno Trulli and then Britain's Jenson Button, but he could not quite catch team-mate Ralf Schumacher and finished the race in fifth.

Button, racing in the BAR test car after damaging the chassis of his own in the last free practice session yesterday, finished sixth with Trulli seventh.

"The aim was to get in the points so that was a satisfying result," said Button. "I've never scored here before so we've got to be pleased with that."

Last year's winner David Coulthard could not repeat his performance of storming to victory from the sixth row and finished the race eighth.

"We weren't quick enough in any of the sessions and a point is all we deserve," said the Scot, whose McLaren teammate Kimi Raikkonen retired after nine laps.

"At some points we have the pace, but it's not there on the first lap and we're not consistent so it makes it very difficult to drive."