Red Bull's Max Verstappen ended his birthday weekend in triumphant style with a dominant victory in yesterday's Malaysian Grand Prix
Red Bull's Max Verstappen ended his birthday weekend in triumphant style with a dominant victory in yesterday's Malaysian Grand Prix. The Dutchman, who celebrated his 20th birthday on Saturday, crossed the line 12.7 seconds ahead of Lewis Hamilton, whose title rival Sebastian Vettel staged a remarkable recovery drive from the back of the grid to finish fourth. Daniel Ricciardo, who led Verstappen in a Red Bull one-two in Malaysia last year, was third. Vettel had started the race dead last after engine problems stopped him setting a time in Saturday's qualifying. He now trails Hamilton by 34 points in the overall standings with five of the 20 races left. The day, though, belonged to Verstappen who, having started third, seized the lead from Hamilton on the fourth of the 56 laps and never looked back. "That was absolutely on merit, flawless drive and happy birthday, mate," Verstappen's race engineer said to him over the team radio. "Super, super job Max, welcome to being a 20-year-old," his team-boss Christian Horner said.
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen celebrates on the podium after winning the Malaysian Grand Prix yesterday. Pic/Getty Images
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Sunday's win was Verstappen's first this season. The Dutchman, son of former Formula One racer Jos who made his debut in 2015 and was promoted to Red Bull part way through last year, took his first win on his Red Bull debut in Spain last year. He has endured a run of bad luck this season, however, having been forced to retire from seven of the 15 races so far. On Sunday, though, his luck held as he ran away in the lead. "You know, especially after the season I've had, I think this victory came at a very good time," said Verstappen, whose father Jos -- a former Formula One driver himself -- and sister Victoria were moved to tears. "So I was very happy when I crossed the line and together with my dad I got this far and of course I got the great help from Red Bull." Kimi Raikkonen did not even make the start. The Ferrari driver, who started alongside Hamilton on the front row, had been hoping to challenge for victory at a track where he scored his first Formula One win in 2003.
But he reported a loss of power on his lap to the grid and was wheeled back into the pits. There was further post-race drama for Ferrari, with Vettel involved in a collision with Williams driver Lance Stroll on the slowing down lap. The German's car was severely damaged in the incident. He could be hit with a five-place grid penalty at the next race in Japan if he is forced to change his gearbox, which would deal a further blow to his title challenge. Nevertheless, he underlined Ferrari's raw speed, setting the fastest lap and a new lap record as he charged through the field. The pace he displayed will have Mercedes worried as Hamilton and team-mate Valtteri Bottas, who finished fifth 56 seconds behind Verstappen, struggled for speed during yesterday's race.
"We didn't have the pace this weekend," said Hamilton. "We have to keep pushing." Sergio Perez, nursing a virus, finished sixth for Force India. Stoffel Vandoorne matched the best result of his career with seventh ahead of Stroll. Sunday's race was Malaysia's last. The event, first hosted by the Sepang circuit in 1999, witnessed its largest weekend turnout since 2013.
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