Malaysian GP: Hamilton wins, Mercedes one-two. Alonso fourth

Lewis Hamilton won by dominating the Formula 1 Malaysian GP. A double for Mercedes with Nico Rosberg second ahead of world champion Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull). Fourth was Fernando Alonso with Ferrari ahead of Nico Hulkenberg's Force India. Jenson Button is sixth with McLaren ahead of the Williams of Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas. Kevin Magnussen (McLaren) and Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso) also scored points. Kimi Raikkonen was only 12th, the race ruined for him by a collision by Magnussen on the first lap. Daniel Ricciardo also retired after a race full of problems.

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Everyone lined up with option tyres. At the start Hamilton, starting from pole, maintained the lead ahead of Rosberg, author of an excellent start, and Ricciardo who overtook Vettel with a great start. Alonso found himself fifth behind the world champion and ahead of Raikkonen and Hulkenberg.

The German of Force India immediately overtook the Finn and shortly after also Alonso, climbing to fifth position. Raikkonen was touched by Magnussen, suffering a right rear puncture. The Finn was forced to complete an entire lap at reduced speed and when he finally returned to the pits for the stop he obviously found himself last. Meanwhile, Bianchi and Vergne also returned to the pits due to a contact in the early stages.

The top 10 on the second lap featured Hamilton, Rosberg, Ricciardo, Vettel, Alonso, Hulkenberg, Magnussen, Button, Massa, Bottas.

On lap four Massa overtook Magnussen but the Dane regained his position while Vettel overtook Ricciardo in third place. On lap eight Maldonado retired due to technical problems while Magnussen returned for the first stop to replace the front wing damaged in the contact with Raikkonen and fit medium tyres. On the next lap Magnussen was penalized with a 5 second stop and go for the collision with Raikkonen. On lap 12 it was Alonso's turn to come in for the break (medium tyres) and upon returning to the track the Spaniard immediately overtook Grosjean. On lap 13 Ricciardo returned to fit a new set of medium tyres. Upon returning to the track he was attacked by Alonso but with tenacity he regained seventh position after a wheel-to-wheel duel with the Spaniard.

On lap 14 Vettel and Button also stopped. The world champion returned to the track in fifth place and immediately attacked Bottas, overtaking him. Same maneuver performed shortly afterwards by Ricciardo and Alonso on the Finn.

On lap 15 it was Rosberg's turn to complete the stop and shortly afterwards also Hamilton, both of whom were on medium tyres. In a few corners Hamilton caught up and overtook Hulkenberg who waited too long to change tyres. The top 10 after the first round of pit stops: Hamilton, Rosberg, Vettel, Ricciardo, Alonso, Hulkenberg, Button, Massa, Kvyat and Bottas.

On lap 18, Hamilton's lead over Rosberg was already 9 seconds while Vergne retired due to technical problems. On lap 26 Magnussen served the 5 second penalty (stop and go) and at the same time completed his second stop, starting the second round of pit stops. Alonso returned to the pits on lap 28, putting on hard tires and returning to the track in sixth position. Same strategy for Ricciardo on the following lap, returning to fifth position. Medium tires instead for Vettel on lap 28, as did the two Mercedes on laps 32 and 33.

After the second stop Hamilton firmly held the lead ahead of Hulkenberg, Rosberg and Vettel. After the Force India driver's stop, Rosberg moved back into second with Vettel making up ground on him.

On laps 35 and 39, Sutil and Gutierrez retired in succession. Weekend to forget for Sauber. The third round of pit stops began on lap 40 with Button putting on hard tires and returning to ninth position.

On lap 41 medium tires for Ricciardo, third stop for him. Ricciardo remained stopped in the pitlane, the mechanics rushed to pick him up and push him to the garage. In fact, the front left had not been fixed well. The Australian restarted after losing a lap (he was also lapped by Alonso who was behind him before the stop).

On lap 43 Alonso completed his second stop, switching to medium tires and returning to the track in fifth place behind Hulkenberg. On lap 44 Ricciardo suffered a front wing failure and was forced to return to the pits again to replace it and fit hard tyres.
Shortly after he was punished with a 10 second stop and go for Unsafe Release.

On lap 50, third stop for Vettel, hard tyres. Shortly afterwards, the two Mercedes also had a stop and hard tires while Ricciardo was forced to retire due to a technical problem. Hamilton maintained the lead of the race without problems ahead of his teammate while Alonso overtook Hulkenberg on lap 53 to move up to fourth position. In Williams, the order came to Massa to give up the position to Bottas but the Brazilian did not obey, defending his seventh position behind Button.

Hamilton then went on to win with a wide gap over Rosberg and Vettel. Alonso fourth ahead of Hulkenberg. Button is sixth ahead of Massa and Bottas. Magnussen and Kvyat close the top 10.

F1 GP Malaysia – Order of arrival and results