Skip to main content

Lewis Hamilton secures first victory in Malaysia

Brit stamps title credentials after comfortable win

Lewis Hamilton’s 100th points finish of his Formula One career proved to be a comfortable lights-to-flag win of the Malaysian Grand Prix.

It was a consummate performance from Hamilton and Mercedes, ending a run of nine races without a podium, one of his worst droughts since he entered the top tier of the sport at the start of 2007.

From pre-season testing the suspicion was Mercedes had the best car, and so it has proven so far, with Nico Rosberg following up his win at the opening race in Australia by finishing second to Hamilton this time.

For the 29-year-old Briton, after claiming his 33rd pole on Saturday, this was his 23rd victory, and his first at the Sepang International Circuit.

It will now ignite the fire of his championship challenge this year after retiring just a handful of laps into the race at Melbourne.

Hamilton finished 17.3 seconds clear of Rosberg, with four-times champion Sebastian Vettel third in his Red Bull but 25 seconds down on the lead Mercedes.

And he was never troubled throughout the entire 56 laps, arguably enjoying one of the most comfortable victories of his career.

In the wake of the Malaysian Airlines tragedy of a few weeks ago, Hamilton delivered a special dedication following his win.

“Incredible!” said Hamilton, when asked about his victory on the podium by Hollywood actor Benedict Cumberbatch.

“After such a difficult weekend, a long winter, for such a great crowd, I feel so grateful.

“After such a tragedy a few weeks ago I dedicate this win to those people and their families.

“What a great car and what a great job from everyone.”

The ambition for Hamilton now would be to rise all the way to the top again in F1 and become champion, as he was in 2008.

Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso had to settle for fourth, ahead of Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg, with Jenson Button sixth in his McLaren.

Williams drivers Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas were seventh and eighth, even though the Brazilian was told the Finn was quicker in the closing laps and to allow him by.

Massa, who for so long played second fiddle at Ferrari prior to his move to Williams over the winter, ignored the commands and fought to the line to claim his six points.

McLaren’s Kevin Magnussen and Toro Rosso’s Daniil Kvyat completed the top 10, with only 15 finishers classified as there were seven retirements overall with technical issues continuing to bite teams in this new era of the 1.6-litre V6 turbo-charged power units.

OWNED BY OUR READERS

We're a reader-owned co-operative, which means you can become part of the paper too by buying shares in the People’s Press Printing Society.

 

 

Become a supporter

Fighting fund

You've Raised:£ 13,288
We need:£ 4,712
3 Days remaining
Donate today