And while Suzuka is admittedly a long way away - it look like this year may be the year. For the first time since 1995, Michael Schumacher has won the first race of the season - instead of playing catch up, he and Ferrari now set the pace.

Travelling to Melbourne for my first live race, I wasn't sure what to expect. But the couple of days I spent at Albert Park were just fantastic - if you haven't been to a race in the flesh, make sure you do ASAP. My first look at the F1 cars was practice on Friday morning from the hill overlooking the straight as they come into turn 12 - at over 275km/h.

And it sure looks it! The noise wasn't too deafening, but the cars do become a bit of a blur. Moving to turns 9 and 10 for the second practise session, we witnessed spins by Gaston Mazzacane and Heinz-Harald Frentzen, as well as a couple of trips across the grass by Ricardo Zonta among others.

Eddie Irvine (left) speeds past the hill coming up to Turn 12, while Gaston Mazzacane (right) spins out at Turn 10.

Being more than just a bit of a Jaguar fan, I was very disappointed in their performance, which, a great qualifying effort by Eddie Irvine aside, was pretty much a total unmitigated disaster. Both were out in the early laps - Johnny Herbert had the weekend from hell, it must be said.

The only other team who suffered as much was Prost. While Nick Heidfeld had a plus in that he was the only rookie to finish, Jean Alesi, spare car shenanigans and all, couldn't take a trick, and the AP chassis looked a bit of a dog.

Plenty of work to be done for Brazil in both these camps I'd say.

Ricardo Zonta (left) floors it coming past Turn 5, while Eddie Irvine (right) would be disappointed by Jag's Sunday performance.

It remains a fact that both McLarens did fill the front row, and (despite Michael Schumacher's claims of being "in control" from the start) that they pulled out a gap at the start of the race. But two blown engines is not the best way to start a season - so some reliability issues will need to be sorted out if they wish to avoid a repeat of '99 when the Ferrari's reliability alone gave it the Constructors' Championship.

Arrows, while being annoyed that both their cars were (unluckily, too) distant memories by lap 59, should be proud that they displayed pre-season testing was no fluke - I don't know what it was like on TV, but in the flesh their car really looked the most solid in all sessions. And it was quick too.

Jos Verstappen outshadowed Pedro de la Rosa - but only just. Arrows will pick up plenty of points this year, no doubt about it.

Pace-wise, the McLarens were a small step ahead of both Jordan and Ferrari (left), while Pedro de la Rosa's performance in his Arrows (right) bodes well for the season.

Secondly (and unfortunately from my point of view!), Jacques Villeneuve and BAR will be strong midfield runners. After last season, getting both car in the points is some effort. But, seeing as though the team's raison d'être is simply to make money for US tobacco bigshots, I wish they'd return to last year's form soon. But I doubt that's going to happen.

Thirdly, Sauber and Benetton were really non-events: they're going to be anonymously midfield at best, and generally unnoticeable. Mika Salo may have something to say about this, though. A great performance on Sunday was ruined by front wing irregularities. Despite this unfortunate start, he will be a thorn in a few sides in the coming months.

Meanwhile, Minardi (as ever) will make up the numbers, with only the bare minimum number of surprises in store.

A fine 1-2 for the boys in red.

The former, Jordan and Williams have a lot to look forward to this year, although the Jordan did not seem as nimble as I expected. They are clearly third, but I doubt this will be the year when they really challenge the bigger boys. Williams, that ex-big boy have done brilliantly to get a podium for BMW in their first race back. Button I've discussed, and Ralf Schumacher did a superlative job. What's more - through the season, they will surely get better.

On to Ferrari. History is the propaganda of the victors - whatever Ron Dennis may say - and despite the fact that I do look on Michael Schumacher's post race bragging about how "in control" Ferrari were with some scepticism, it remains that we had a VERY convincing 1-2, with Rubens Barrichello doing all that was asked of him. And I can't complain, because I had a Ferrari cap on all weekend!

So I come away from my first Grand Prix looking forward to the rest of the season - set up to be easily the closest in years constructor-wise and possibly the most engaging driver-wise!

Jensen Button outshone his midfield rivals, keeping BAR, Sauber and Benetton at bay to work his way to 6th.

Not to mention demonstration laps by the loudest car heard all weekend - the McLaren 2-seater. Australian Olympic swimming dual-Gold medallist Kieran Perkins had a few laps, as did World Record pole vaulter Emma George.

All in all it was a fantastic weekend - I'm looking forward to the rest of the Melbourne Grand Prix 2001!

Alan Moffat (left) took victory on Friday, Peter Brock got his revenge on Saturday. Olivier Panis (right) took Emma George for a few laps in the McLaren two seater.

Jamie on track after the race, standing at the Turn 9 apex.