MALAYSIA GP: Sebastian Vettel holds of Mercedes to take first win for Ferrari
Sebastian Vettel has beaten Mercedes to take victory at the Malaysia Grand Prix. He had good race staying with the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton through the early stages and taking the lead when Hamilton made his first stop.
The race began with a messy start after Kimi Raikkonen got a puncher following a messy start spreading the remains of the tyre following contact with Sauber’s Felipe Nasr. The incident brought out the safety car so the teams could do their first pit stops.
Following the pit-stops and the safety car Vettel took control opening up the gap to the Mercedes who were caught in traffic following the pit-stop window. While Max Verstappen continued to impress by going wheel to wheel with Daniel Ricciardo but they both made a few mistakes.
Vettel continued his assault for the lead of the race going down the inside of Nico Rosberg to take second place. After passing Rosberg, Vettel began to set his sights on the race leader Hamilton. Taking the lead Vettel made his first stop.
Vettel’s former team Red Bull had their own issues after Ricciardo and Daniil Kyat touched while he made the pass. But Vettel continued to have control of the race. So Hamilton went on the attack to try and catch the Ferrari.
Next to have contact was Romain Grosjean after being hit by the Force India of Sergio Perez. But Verstappen’s attempted move on Valteri Bottas showed his worth as a 17-year old. Vettel’s final stop once again gave Hamilton the lead of the race however he was soon losing grip from the tyres.
Following a change of tyres the question remained could Hamilton catch the Ferrari. The champion certainly tried but he just couldn’t catch Vettel. As the race due to a close focus shifted to the battle at Williams to catch Raikkonen but they couldn’t get close enough.
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