Indian newcomers suffer on Formula One debut

Sutil, who last year drove with the team under its previous incarnation as Spyker, was forced to change cars after damaging his chassis when he left the track in qualifying - invoking the mandatory penalty of a pitlane start for Sunday's Australian Grand Prix.

Fisichella, the winner here in 2005, collided with another racer on the first turn, launching his car into the air and pitching it into the gravel trap. He never rejoined the race and his car was lifted off the track by crane.

"I am very disappointed as I lost the race at the first corner because another driver came in like a kamikaze into my car," said Fisichella, who joined the new team after three seasons at Renault. "And it was very frustrating, especially considering a race like this where there was a possibility to score lots more points."

Sutil's race ended on the 10th lap when his car was pushed into the garage because of a hydraulic problem.

"A big disappointment, especially when I was watching the race afterward, but it was good while it lasted," Sutil said.

"We have more hope for Malaysia, but I think we showed an improvement over last year, particularly over the longer runs in practice."

Spare cars are banned this year and his team had to swap his engine and survival cell, after he finished qualifying in 18th position in the 22-car field.

With the last minute swap, the German driver has now used up the only free engine change allowed this season. If Sutil needs another engine change, it will cost him a 10-place penalty on the grid.

Sutil started 17 races in 2007, with his best finish coming in Japan where he ended in 8th place. He had five race accidents last year.

Fisichella was 16th on the grid and was officially ranked in last place. It was a steep descent from his win here in 2005.

"Giancarlo was unlucky at the first corner with someone outside him and (Timo) Glock and (Nelson) Piquet not under control coming down on the inside," Mike Gascoyne, team chief technical officer said. "With Adrian we had a hydraulic failure, a result of having to rebuild his car from yesterday and not being able to do any installation checks."

Indian billionaire Vijay Mallya and Dutch entrepreneur Michiel Mol bought the disbanded Spyker team after last season, hoping to develop it into a serious challenger to powerhouses Ferrari and McLaren by 2010.

"I have been very pleased with this weekend, despite the frustration of going out early," Mallya said. "Overall it was an encouraging weekend and the positive is that we have another event in just one week's time where we can try again."