Verstappen rules Malaysian G’Prix
SEPANG, Malaysia (AP) – Max Verstappen celebrated his birthday by winning the Malaysian Grand Prix in style on Sunday, while Lewis Hamilton finished second to extend his championship lead over Sebastian Vettel.
Vettel started the race from last but drove brilliantly to take fourth place behind Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo and limit the damage to his own title hopes. Ferrari teammate Kimi Raikkonen did not even start, despite qualifying second. Moments before the race, mechanics wheeled Raikkonen’s car back to the garage but could not get it ready.
Hamilton secured the 70th pole of his career in qualifying, and his fourth straight in Malaysia, while Vettel failed to set a time because of an engine problem.
The day after turning 20, Verstappen turned on the style, making a fine move to overtake Hamilton on lap 4.
“The whole race went well. Once I got past Lewis I could focus on my tires,” Verstappen said. “From then on, I could race my own race. It’s incredible to win.”
His father, the former F1 driver Jos Verstappen, looked emotional as his son stood on the podium.
Dutch fans poured onto the grid to join in the celebrations, with one fan applauding with a pair of clogs.
Hamilton’s only win in Malaysia was in 2014. He led comfortably last year but retired with an engine failure.
Vettel’s last win came at the Hungarian GP before the summer break, moving him 14 points clear of Hamilton. But the British driver has won three of four races since and now leads Vettel by 34 points with five races remaining.
“It’s a step toward trying to win this world championship so every point counts,” Hamilton said. “Considering the issues we had with the car, it’s a good weekend.”
Hamilton had failed to finish higher than fifth in practice but found some speed in qualifying. Still, given his position – and where Vettel was – he might have expected to be further ahead.
Vettel saved Ferrari’s blushes but, as if Ferrari’s luck could not get any worse, Williams driver Lance Stroll smashed into the side of his car on the warm-down lap, cutting it almost in half.