Briton Lewis Hamilton won the victory in the world Formula One drivers' championship in Melbourne on Sunday just in a fraction of a second.

Hamilton won the start of the Australian Grand Prix, won the race and -- even though there are 17 more to go -- put himself in prime position to improve on his amazing rookie year.

In a race that like so many was largely decided during Saturday's practice sessions, Hamilton claimed the pole position and with it, a mortgage on the race.

When the real action started, he shoved his McLaren Mercedes into the notorious first corner on the Albert Park circuit a breath in front of Robert Kubica -- and that was that, the local news report said.

The only time Hamilton lost the lead was during his two fuel stops, but he never lost control.

In a race made all the more demanding by a temperature of 37 degrees from start to finish, only seven of the 22 starters made it to the chequered flag.

(Xinhua News Agency March 17, 2008)