Reigning world champion Fernando Alonso snatched the lead of the drivers’ title on Sunday by surprisingly dominating the Malaysian grand prix at Sepang.
His rookie teammate Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile – who described the exhausting heat as the “hardest” conditions he has ever faced in a motor race – finished second despite intense pressure from the flying Kimi Raikkonen in the closing laps, thus extending McLaren’s lead of the constructors’ world championship to nine points over Ferrari.
Contrary to expectations that pole sitter Felipe Massa might stroll to victory in the Kuala Lumpur heat, the Brazilian lost the lead to his silver challengers at the first corner and then fell off the circuit trying to pass Hamilton, who could not keep up with leader Alonso.
Massa, fifth at the end, failed to re-pass BMW’s Nick Heidfeld.
The victory, secured even after his radio broke down after lap ten, is Fernando Alonso’s first for McLaren, and the Mercedes-powered team’s first since 2005.
“We did it,” a jubilant Alonso exclaimed on the radio after crossing the line. “This is a wonderful surprise,” he later said in the post-race press conference.
“We didn’t expect to be this competitive.”
Malaysian GP, race
1 F. Alonso McLaren 1:32:14.930
2 L. Hamilton McLaren + 17.557
3 K. Räikkönen Ferrari + 18.319
4 N. Heidfeld BMW + 33.777
5 F. Massa Ferrari + 36.705
6 G. Fisichella Renault + 1:05.638
7 J. Trulli Toyota + 1:10.132
8 H. Kovalainen Renault + 1:12.015
9 A. Wurz Williams + 1:28.924
10 M. Webber Red Bull + 1:33.556
11 R. Barrichello Honda + 1 lap
12 J. Button Honda + 1 lap
13 T. Sato Super Aguri + 1 lap
14 S. Speed Scuderia Toro Rosso + 1 lap
15 R. Schumacher Toyota + 1 lap
16 A. Davidson Super Aguri + 1 lap
17 V. Liuzzi Scuderia Toro Rosso + 1 lap
18 R. Kubica BMW + 1 lap