2014 Malaysia Grand Prix - Race Report: Hamiton wins ahead of Rosberg, Vettel

<< Return to the news list

2014 Malaysia Grand Prix - Race Report: Hamiton wins ahead of Rosberg, Vettel

Published on 30 Mar 2014 11:51
0
By: Tom Brooks

The chance of rain had decreased to 40% before the start of the race, meaning that there would a good probability of a rain-affected race with some suggesting that there may be a large downpour, with others saying that scattered showers were likely.

Sergio Perez was the first victim of a mechanical problem after his Mercedes engine went into recovery mode causing him to stop at the end of the pitlane just as the field were heading out for their sighting laps. This meant that the Mexican would not start the race.

The temperature was a moderate 32 degrees Celsius and clouds loomed overhead as the mechanics and personnel departed to the side of the grid as the field left for their formation lap.

As the lights went out it was the two Mercedes who got a good start with Vettel trying to get past Rosberg around Turn 3 which caused his team-mate Ricciardo to try and make a move to which he was unsuccessful.

Approaching Turn 4, Bianchi's Marussia collided with Maldonado's Lotus causing the two to spin and fall behind the field. The Frenchman was later given a Stop/Go penalty.

Lap 2 saw Magnussen overtake Kimi Raikkonen out of Turn 3 after the Finn suffered a right-rear puncture due to contact in Turn 1 meaning he had to pit for a new set of tyres, the Dane also suffered damage to his front wing.

Laps 3 and 4 saw Button get past Magnussen and Vettel attempt a pass on Ricciardo to which he was successful going into Turn 1.

Magnussen's pace then began to fade as he fell into the clutches of two Williams', causing the trio to exchange positions various times over the next couple of laps.

Lotus's poor reliability reared its head once again with Maldonado having to retire the car on Lap 7 meaning that Grosjean would be the Enstone teams' only hope of points for the Grand Prix. Meanwhile, Hamilton set the fastest lap who was over 5 seconds ahead of team-mate Rosberg.

Laps 9 and 11 saw the fields pit strategy become clearer with Magnussen and Kvyat pitting for an expectant three-stop race. However, the Danish drivers bad luck continued as he also received a 5 second Stop/Go penalty for causing a collision. Alonso pitted on Lap 12 also, overtaking Grosjean just after the pit exit.

Riccardo pitted on Lap 12 as well, coming out just ahead of Alonso with the Spaniard making a move into Turn 1 and ultimately being unsuccessful. Reigning World Champion, Vettel and Jenson Button pitted at the end of Lap 13 with the German coming out just behind Bottas in fifth. He later overtook him through the sweeping Turn 5.

Vettel pitting caused a reaction from Mercedes, pitting Rosberg on Lap 14 and Hamilton on Lap 15 who came out just behind Nico Hulkenberg who was yet to pit. The British driver the reclaimed the lead at Turn 10. Shortly afterwards, Vettel set the fastest lap.

Hulkenberg pitting at the end of Lap 16 after the Force India team failed to work their planned two-stop strategy due to high tyre degredation. Lap 17 saw a battle begin to take place between Kobayashi, Vergne and Raikkonen who was making his way back through the field. It was short-lived however, with Raikkonen pitting and Vergne retiring later on.

On Lap 23 in descending order, the Top 10 was Hamilton, Rosberg, Vettel, Ricciardo, Alonso, Hulkenberg, Button, Massa, Bottas and Magnussen.

Lap 29 saw Ricciardo make his second and expectant final stop of the race which saw Hulkenberg take fourth place with the Australian falling back to fifth.

The threat of rain became a reality on Lap 31 with high density clouds forming away from the circuit which were expcted to affect the end of the race. Meanwhile, Kobayashi and Grosjean became locked in a battle for 12th, which the Frenchman eventually won.

Vettel also pitted dropping him back to fourth, as did Rosberg one lap later causing him to come out in third just ahead of the German. On the 34th lap, Hamilton pitted for his final time managing to retain his lead and come out ahead of Hulkenberg who was suffering from severe tyre wear. He pitted at the end on the lap.

Sutil's poor run continued with the German stopping at the start of the main straight, causing the threat of a Safety Car. However, these fears proved to be unfounded. More immediately concerning were reports of light rain at the back of the circuit with dark clouds looming overhead at Turn 9 and 10.

The second Sauber of Esteban Gutierrez also retired with a suspected gearbox problem on Lap 37, causing the Swiss teams first double retirement since 2011.

With 16 laps remaining, Jenson Button pitted for the third and final time, putting on a set of Hard tyres with Magnussen following him close behind.

Ricciardo later pitted on Lap 41, however the front left wheel was not fastened properly which meant the Australian had to be pushed back into the pit slot causing him to fall back to 14th position and be lapped by Hamilton. Alonso took over 4th place and then Hulkenberg after the double World Champion pitted.

Australia's poor luck continued on Lap 44 with Ricciardo suffering a front wing failure meaning that he had to come in order to have a new one fitted and then he was hit with a 10 second Stop/Go Penalty for an unsafe release by his team, causing his fifth pit-lane visit of the day.

Meanwhile on Lap 47, Massa made a move down the main straight for 6th on Button which evoked a battle that lasted for half a lap with the 2009 World Champion retaining the position. The Top 3 drivers all had one more pit-stop to make before the end of the race with Hamilton having a 13 second gap over Rosberg and 21 seconds over Vettel.

Vettel pulled the pin first on Lap 50, coming out 2 seconds ahead of Hulkenberg in 4th and Alonso in 5th. Rosberg then followed on Lap 51 and emerged some 8 seconds ahead of Vettel. Finally on Lap 52, Hamilton made his final stop and retained the lead some 12 seconds in front of his team-mate.

With 4 laps remaining, Hulkenberg and Alonso's battle began to get closer for 4th It was a sensational battle down the main straight and up to Turn 4 resulting in Fernando taking the place.

The final 2 laps saw Williams demonstrating team orders with Felipe being asked to move over for Bottas, with the Brazilian ultimately refusing meaning that the Finn would have to overtake his team-mate to challenge Button.

As the chequered flag came out, it was Hamilton who took the victory ahead of team-mate Rosberg. Vettel crossed the line in 3rd, Alonso in 4th, Hulkenberg in 5th, Button in 6th, Massa in 7th, Bottas in 8th, Magnussen one lap down in 9th and Kvyat in 10th. The standout performance from the backmarkers had to be Caterham recording their first double car finish of the year with Kobayashi in 13th and Ericsson in 14th.

Our coverage will be back for Bahrain's Grand Prix next weekend, kicking off with FP1.

Tom Brooks
Chief UK Editor