Formula 1: Benetton content with season opener

Benetton were happy with their display in the Australian Grand Prix but are well aware of the need to improve before Malaysia.

Giancarlo Fisichella finished 13th, but Jenson Button was forced to retire with exhaust trouble on the three laps from the end.

Team officials though were pleased to have managed one finish after changes to the make-up of the car.

Technical director Mike Gascoyne said: "We are very pleased to have got one car to the finish and the other so close to the end.

"Our cars were running competitively until they both suffered what we think were exhaust failures.

"But I am very pleased as Renault Sport introduced a new spec engine for this race with the aim of increasing reliabilty and this was certainly achieved."

Fisichella was content with the first race of the season.

He said: "I made a good start and was very careful as it was important to finish the race.

"The car was running well and it felt good."

Button agreed with his teammate over the performance of the Benetton car.

He said: "I was very impressed with how good the car was off the line.

"After that it felt well-balanced and I was competitive, but it was a shame I had to stop so close to the end of the race."