Malaysian Grand Prix: Red Bulls Sebastian Vettel relieved to register first win of season
Date published : 04 Apr 2010 - 13:10:53
The German came home first in a race that eased Red Bull's disappointment after flops in the season opening races in Bahrain and Australia.
'What a day,' said Vettel. 'Saturday was extremely difficult because of the rain, but we did the job and today we had a magnificent car.
Related ArticlesVettel wins Malaysian GPMalaysian GP actionF1 Podcast: Malaysian Grand PrixMalaysian F1 circuit guideWebber takes poleWebber claims pole position'The key once again was to pace yourself, but Bridgestone did a good job bringing two compounds [of tyres] here that worked fairly well.
'So, at the end of the day it's a very good result for us and for myself after two races where I didn't finish where I wanted to be.
'It was crucial for the team not to panic and to stay relaxed. It is a long season, but this is the best result we could get and on top of that Mark getting second place is a big plus for the team and a lot of points.'
The Red Bull team had set the pace in both opening races with Vettel on pole and leading each time only to be deprived of good results due to a spark plug failure and then a loose wheel nut. He had looked like winning each race until those problems struck.
This time he had a faultless afternoon and produced a near-perfect race that hoisted him up to level second with Spaniard Fernando Alonso of Ferrari in the drivers' title race.
Vettel had qualified third, but snatched the lead with a dazzling start and a dive past Webber, who was on pole, through the opening corner.
'I realised straight away I had a good start. I passed Nico [Rosberg], was alongside and got the tow from Mark and was able to gain, gain, gain,' he said.
'It's a long sprint into Turn One so I had a clear advantage over him. I took the chance I had into Turn One and it was quite late and I just made it.
'Mark had a bit of better exit out of Turn Two and into Turn Three. It was a bit slippy, we both tried to push, and each fighting among ourselves, but we kept respect.
'If Mark was in my position he would have done the same.'
Webber agreed with his team-mate, saying: 'We know these days, with the strategy, and the way the race unfolds, the first part of a race is crucial.
'I got a little bit of wheelspin and on the run to the first corner, Seb had a big tow.
'I didn't really know where Nico was either, I didn't know whether to go middle or left, so I braked late, I had a bit of a better exit and the fight continued up to Turn Four.
'We had a chat with Christian Horner at the start and he said 'behave yourselves' so we did. The spirit and chemistry in our team is awesome. It was a good fight today but he deserved the victory. First and second is sensational.'
The battle between the two Red Bull's was the main feature of an intriguing, if not thrilling, contest that ended with German Nico Rosberg finishing third for the new Mercedes team.
Rosberg said he was unhappy with his start.
'I lost out a bit there and once I was third it was difficult to follow the Red Bulls. But it is a good result and I feel we have a made big step for our first podium,' he said.
Robert Kubica came home fourth for Renault, another fine result after his second place last weekend in Melbourne. German Adrian Sutil of Force India held off 2008 champion Lewis Hamilton of McLaren for fifth.
Hamilton finished sixth, after starting 20th, following an exhilarating drive through the field, and Brazilian Felipe Massa of Ferrari was seventh.
Rosberg's team-mate Michael Schumacher was forced to retire after only eight laps.
'I lost a wheel nut, so there was no more drive left,' said Schumacher.
'It's very unusual for us to have a reliability problem. Last year, Ross (Brawn) didn't have any retirements at all, so it's a shame.'
