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28.03.2010
Australia
Melbourne

'; ?> REFUELING BANNED

From 2010 onwards, refueling is banned in Formula 1™, meaning all the cars have to complete the entire race distance on one tank.

As a result, fuel efficiency is more important than ever – a car carrying less fuel is lighter and therefore faster.

Jenson Button qualifies fourth but finds himself running in sixth following a close call with Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso at the first corner.

The safety car is deployed after a multi-car incident on the opening lap, and soon the guys on the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes pit wall notice that the track surface is beginning to dry out.

They decide to call Button in, an inspired tire decision that changes the game. Button is the first driver to pit, switching from intermediates to soft options.

The strategy instantly jumps him from sixth to second. Other drivers follow suit, but it is already too late to catch the reigning world champion.

When Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel starts to struggle in the lead, Button takes his opportunity, ultimately clinching the victory by more than 12 seconds.

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