Legal eagles dominate grid

Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button face the prospect of being at opposite ends of the grid for Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix given the differing fortunes of the two British Formula One stars at the start of the new season. 

Melbourne’s Albert Park was the scene of arguably one of the most unusual opening days in the sport’s history, in particular with a considerable amount of focus on a Sauber team mired in an ongoing legal battle with last year’s reserve driver Giedo van der Garde.

The situation at one stage resulted in bailiffs from the Supreme Court of Victoria being on stand-by outside the circuit ready to impound Sauber’s cars and trackside equipment in case the team were found to be in contempt.