They had dominated testing ever since their car first turned a wheel in anger, but it was not until the first qualifying session of the year that Brawn could truly be sure of their real position. Now, however, they can be, as Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello wrapped up the front row of the grid for the first time for a new team since March performed the feat in South Africa back in 1970.

Back in 1970 that feat was accomplished by none other than Jackie Stewart.

Jenson Button Picture Credit:  http://www.motorsport.com/photos/popup.asp?N=14&I=f1/2009/aus/f1-2009-aus-xp-1306.jpg&FS=F1&SN=1_64.235.98.12:78888&S=F1

There was further controversy after qualifying when the Toyotas were stripped of their positions for having rear wings deemed to be to flexible, while Williams withdrew a protest over the design of the leading edge of the sidepods on the Ferraris and Red Bulls after deciding it wasn't in the interests of the sport.

Brawn Racing Virgin Sponsorship Picture Credit:  http://www.motorsport.com/photos/popup.asp?N=6&I=f1/2009/aus/f1-2009-aus-xp-1208.jpg&FS=F1&SN=1_64.235.98.12:44300&S=F1

Brawn
Jenson Button, 1m 25.981s, P3/1m 26.202s, P1
Rubens Barrichello, 1m 26.348s, P6/1m 26.505s, P2
Barrichello set the pace in the first two qualifying sessions, but as he found his BGP001 starting to understeer with its race fuel load, so Button found his handling with the edge and poise it had lacked on low fuel. The result was the Englishman's fourth pole, but Barrichello was also fast enough to take the other front row slot. It was the perfect start for Ross Brawn's squad.

Red Bull
Sebastian Vettel, 1m 27.009s, P13/1m 26.830s, P3
Mark Webber, 1m 26.355s, P7/1m 27.246s, P10, will start P8
Vettel had a problem with a wheel nut which hampered his morning running, but in qualifying he banged in a great lap which showed the true promise of Adrian Newey's 'conventional' car. Webber was not happy with his final lap of Q3, as he found his RB5 unsettled in the bumps of Turn Nine.

Robert Kubica Picture Credit:  http://www.motorsport.com/photos/popup.asp?N=11&I=f1/2009/aus/f1-2009-aus-xp-1193.jpg&FS=F1&SN=1_64.235.98.12:34575&S=F1

BMW Sauber
Robert Kubica, 1m 26.514s, P9/1m 26.914s, P4
Nick Heidfeld, 1m 26.555s, P10/1m 25.504s, P11, will start P9
After struggling for grip on Friday the Swiss-German team made good progress and Kubica was able to put some strong laps together, but even he admitted that fourth was better than he expected. Yet he lost grip on his second Q3 run after Rosberg threw dirt on to the track in Turn 14, otherwise he thought third was possible. Heidfeld, meanwhile, was happy enough until he encountered too much oversteer in the final corner and lost his chance of making it through to Q3. He is hoping KERS (which Kubica does not have) will give him an advantage in the race.

Nick Heidfeld Picture Credit:  http://www.motorsport.com/photos/popup.asp?N=20&I=f1/2009/aus/f1-2009-aus-xp-1202.jpg&FS=F1&SN=1_64.235.98.12:67667&S=F1

Williams
Nico Rosberg, 1m 25.808s, P1/1m 26.973s, P5
Kazuki Nakajima, 1m 26.078s, P5/1m 25.607s, P13, will start P11
It was tempting to feel disappointed for Williams to start only fifth courtesy of Rosberg after all his practice speed. He said his FW31 was still nice to drive, and was quite happy, suggesting that the team believe some of their rivals to be running lighter on fuel (though it turns out those ahead largely are not). Nakajima looked okay in Q1 and Q2, but made a crucial error that left him stranded in Q2. Again.


Story Credit:  http://www.formula1.com/news/features/2009/3/9090.html

Rubens Barrichello Picture Credit:  http://www.motorsport.com/photos/popup.asp?N=25&I=f1/2009/aus/f1-2009-aus-xp-1207.jpg&FS=F1&SN=1_64.235.98.12:32430&S=F1

The checkered flag falls in about an hour.  I can't wait for this one.  GO RUBENS!  It's been a long time since my favorite F1 driver had a chance to win a race.  I'm lovin' it!