The 2003 World Championship doesn't look too bad. What's more, it gives the impression that it may turn out to be rather entertaining. The results of the Australian GP show it to be so. David Coulthard's victory, fully deserved, was a big surprise. Even more so was the news that Michael Schumacher didn't make it onto the podium. Not even the eldest can remember anything similar.

Besides, there was a little bit of everything. A demanding and difficult track because of the rain, several appearances by the Safety Car on the track, a lot of leader changes, lots of overtaking and a certain feeling of evenness which was urgently needed in Formula One. Of course, Michael Schumacher continues being the great and undeniable favourite, but, without doubt, fans will be happy that drivers such as Coulthard, Montoya and Raikkonen make things complicated for him as in Albert Park.

With regards to Fernando Alonso, he passed with flying colours on his debut with Renault. He finished, he didn't make any mistakes, and did a fast lap and in the process even managed to get up to third place. Afterwards, his team's tactic was to send him behind, but he also left the feeling of being more than capable of staying between the best. More to come in Malaysia in a fortnight's time.