2015 Malaysian Grand Prix

 

Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel won the Malaysian Grand Prix to end Mercedes' long Formula One winning streak and make the 2015 season look like a genuine contest between the two teams

Race result (top-10):                                                                    

Drivers standings (Top-5)

1.  Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 43      2.  Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) 40      3.  Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) 33      4.  Felipe Massa (Williams) 20      5.  Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) 12

1. Sebastian Vettel (Germany) Ferrari
2. Lewis Hamilton (Britain) Mercedes
3. Nico Rosberg (Germany) Mercedes
4. Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) Ferrari
5. Valtteri Bottas (Finland) Williams-Mercedes
6. Felipe Massa (Brazil) Williams-Mercedes
7. Max Verstappen (Netherlands) Toro Rosso - Renault
8. Carlos Sainz Jr (Spain) Toro Rosso - Renault
9. Daniil Kvyat (Russia) RedBull - Renault
10. Daniel Ricciardo (Australia) RedBull - Renault


Sebastian Vettel elected not to pit during an earlier safety-car period, while second-placed Lewis Hamilton and third placed Nico Rosberg did in their Mercedes cars, and the clear air at the front of the field during that period proved the difference, as Vettel won by 8.5 seconds.

Mercedes had won the previous eight races dating back to last season and had been expected to dominate through 2015 after a one-two finish in the season opener in Australia.

Sebastian Vettel (centre) celebrates his Malaysian Grand Prix victory as Lewis Hamilton (left) and Nico Rosberg stand in the background

 

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton leads at the start of Sunday's race at the Sepang International Circuit

Lewis Hamilton, of Great Britain, leads at the first corner with Vettel closely behind the Mercedes driver