Reigning world champion Jenson Button produced a brilliant performance to claim his first win of the season at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne today.

The McLaren driver had started fourth on the grid but with pole sitter Sebastian Vettel and Red-Bull team-mate Mark Webber notably faster during qualifying, the 30-year-old seemed to be facing a tough task if he was to challenge for victory.

However, Vettel was once again the victim of bad luck as a brake problem ended his race midway through and, after he had made his move following a frenetic start at Albert Park, Button surged into the lead on lap 26 where he remained to the chequered flag, finishing over 12 seconds ahead of the Enstone-built Renault of Robert Kubica.

Ferrari's Felipe Massa secured his place on the podium for the second successive race as he climbed from fifth to take third place in his Ferrari.

Massa's team-mate Fernando Alonso recovered from a spin at turn one on the first lap to take fourth place while Nico Rosberg finished fifth in a Brackley-built Mercedes with 2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton claiming sixth place.

The victory for Button also marked his first with his new team and the Briton was struggling to find the words to describe his feelings after he climbed from his car.

"It is very special," he said. "It has taken me a while to get to grips with the car but the team have been fantastic.

"I don't know what to say, it is very difficult to put into words. I feel I am building in confidence. This is just too good."

Button's team-mate Hamilton had delivered a charging drive, having climbed from 11th to second at one stage, but a late clash with Webber saw him drop away from challenging for a podium finish.

Tonio Liuzzi once again finished inside the points as he took seventh place in his Force India while Rubens Barrichello secured eighth in a Grove-built Williams.

Webber will no doubt be disappointed with his finish at his home race after the Australian's clash with Hamilton ensured he finished ninth.

Mercedes' Michael Schumacher - who has four wins to his name in Australia - came out on top of a late tussle with Toro Rosso's Jaime Alguersuari for tenth place.