Verstappen triumphs, Hamilton ends second to extend lead at top
SEPANG: Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won the final running of the Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday as Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton finished second to extend his championship lead over Sebastian Vettel to 34 points.
Verstappen, who celebrated his 20th birthday a day earlier, overtook pole-sitter Hamilton on lap four before clinching the second victory of his career and first this season.
Mercedes driver Hamilton finished second with Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo third and Vettel, who started at the back of the grid, fourth.
With five races to go, Hamilton is edging ever closer to the title but Ferrari had a weekend to forget, after Kimi Raikkonen didn’t even make the starting grid and Vettel lost a rear wheel in a bizarre smash after the finish line.
Verstappen won by nearly 13 seconds from Hamilton to embellish what has been a tough season after he failed to finish seven races and only once reached the podium.
“The car was unbelievable, if I had to speed up I could. It was a very tough race and incredible to win,” said the Dutchman.
Hamilton admitted the Mercedes had been second-best. “Big congratulations to Max and happy birthday, he did a fantastic job today,” he said.
“The race was a tough one, obviously they just had the upper hand on us today... I feel good but I think we have some work to do with the car. Obviously we didn’t have the pace this weekend.”
Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate Ricciardo fought off a strong challenge from Vettel, who had started from the back following engine problems in qualifying.
“Seb came really quick at the end and I though the was going to be a handful,” said Ricciardo. “But he only had one strong attack and then we were able to
pull away.”
Ferrari’s fortunes had dimmed when Kimi Raikk one n’ s car suffered a turbo failure before the start.
He was pushed back to the pit and the race was over before it had even begun for the former world champion, who had
enjoyed his maiden win at Sepang in 2003.
“Obviously we had some issue. I don’t think any of us know what it is exactly. I’m pretty certain I would have had a very good car today,” a disappointed Raikkonen told reporters.