01/10/2017
NEWS STORY
Be it his crazy moment in Azerbaijan or his over enthusiasm in Singapore, Sebastian Vettel has made a bit of a mess of things at times this season.
Consequently, where better to find redemption than at Sepang, as F1 bids adieu to the country that first hosted a round of the world championship in 1999.
After all, if today's race can be even half as good as Brazil 2012, where Vettel made a remarkable recovery and thereby clinched his third title we could be in for a thriller.
With the need to work his way through the field providing one vital aspect of the script, it appears the weather gods may provide another.
Following typical Monsoon-like weather earlier the track remains damp and as a result the race is likely to see the drivers start on Inters. It is unclear whether there will be further rain, but as we know from experience here it shouldn't be ruled out, not at this time of year, not at this time of day.
Surely, not even the most ardent Lewis Hamilton fan wants to see Vettel left stranded at the back of the field today or just about scraping into the points, for such a scenario would effectively end the season with another five races remaining.
No, we want to see the German keep his car and championship on track with the kind of performance we know he can deliver. Indeed, even Hamilton admits to relishing his scraps with the four-time champ.
Nonetheless, the Briton will be focussed on only one thing today, getting his car home in front.
Out to spoil his hopes will be a host of other drivers, including Kimi Raikkonen and the Red Bull duo.
Again, much will depend on the weather, and if it is wet or even changeable, providing he and his car can keep away from trouble, Max Verstappen will be one to watch, after all what better way to celebrate his birthday.
Then again, despite regularly losing out to his teammate on Saturday's perhaps Daniel Ricciardo could add a second win.
And then there's Kimi, would anyone really begrudge The Iceman a win today, especially after his performance yesterday, not to mention his start in Singapore.
As for Valtteri, the Finn has gone off the boil a little of late, funnily enough since his contract was extended. So what better time to remind everyone what he can do.
To further add to the mix, despite that excellent Saturday, certainly for Hamilton, let's not forget that Friday was the "worst ever", according to Toto Wolff. Indeed, while Mercedes has shown it usual strong one lap pace here, its race pace throughout has been poor.
And as if all this wasn't enough, we have the madness that is the midfield, with Williams under increasing pressure from Toro Rosso, Renault, Haas and even McLaren looking to come up on the rails.
Having traced the root cause of Vettel's issues during qualifying to a cracked manifold that fed air from the compressor to the internal combustion unit, the Italian team has taken advantage of his grid position to issue him with a complete new power unit without penalty.
In 'normal' conditions, Pirelli was expecting today's race to be a one-stopper, though a two-stop strategy was also possible if it got warmer. Under the current conditions, the Italian manufacturer admits that anything is possible.
Despite the wide open nature of the Sepang track, let's not forget that the circuit has witnessed its moments over the years, and only last year Nico Rosberg and Vettel clashed at the first corner.
The pitlane opens and one by one the cars head out. Despite much of the track having dried, most are on Inters.
Air temperature is 29 degrees C, while the track temperature is 35 degrees. According to Race Control there is a 30% chance of rain during the race.
Drivers report that there are still some damp patches but that it is drying. Naturally, some drivers are hoping that the wet stuff returns.
Following yesterday's issues with Vettel, Ferrari's problems continue with Raikkonen suffering a late scare. Indeed, the crew is working on the rear of the car right up until the permitted time.
Sadly, seven minutes before the start, the Ferrari is pushed from the grid with the hapless Finn still in it. At the very best (!?!), Kimi will start from the pitlane.
"The rubber is gone from the track, so the start will be pretty hot," enthuses Nico Hulkenberg. "Turn 1 is going to be spicy."
All are on supersofts bar Wehrlein, Ericsson and Vettel who are on softs.
Raikkonen's move to the pitlane leaves Ricciardo with clear track ahead as the field looks to the first corner.
They head off on the warm-up lap, all getting away.
The grid forms.
They're away. Great start from Ricciardo who takes full advantage of the clear track ahead of him. Bottas also make a superb start and heading into T1 the Finn is alongside Verstappen with Ricciardo just behind.
On the outside in T1, Bottas is on the inside for T2 but on the outside in T3 again where Verstappen edges ahead. They continue to battle but the Mercedes cannot match the Red Bull or its driver's determination.
Further back the Force India duo is locked in battle with the Williams duo. In T3, it's classic three into one won't go as Perez holds his line, thereby forcing Ocon into Massa who spins as a consequence. Ocon, who blames "checo" for the incident appears to lose his endplate.
Also at T3, the Toro Rossos send Grosjean wide as they battle for track position.
As Hamilton leads Verstappen, Bottas and Ricciardo, Vettel is up to 17th and all over the back of Palmer. As the German passes the Renault, further ahead Hulkenberg runs wide.
While Palmer is now under pressure from the Toro Rosso duo, Vettel passes Hulkenberg who appears to be struggling.
"The Toro Rosso is moving all over the **** place," complains Grosjean of Gasly. "These new guys, they need to learn!"
At the end of lap 2 Ocon pits, the Force India seemingly suffering a puncture after contact with Massa earlier.
From out of nowhere, Verstappen makes his move and passes Hamilton into T1 for the lead. Moments later, Ricciardo begins his assault on Bottas.
Now in 11th, Vettel hunts down Alonso, the man he fought and beat for the title back in 2012 in that epic race in Brazil.
Hamilton suggests his 'D-rates' might be an issue. That team assure him this is not the case.
After 5 laps, Verstappen leads Hamilton, Bottas, Ricciardo, Vandoorne, Perez, Stroll, Massa, Magnussen and Alonso.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Sepang, here.
Ferrari confirms that Raikkonen has official retired, having not even started.
Vettel keeps a watching eye as Magnussen battles with Alonso for 9th. The German is currently 19s behind the race leader.
Down in 15th, rookie Gasly hangs on to the rear of teammate Sainz.
"There's a funny feeling on the front axle at high speed," claims Hulkenberg. "We can't see anything in the data," is the response.
Bottas and Ricciardo are wheel to wheel for corner after corner at the start of lap 9, the Australian finally nailing the Finn in T4. Brilliant stuff from both drivers.
Elsewhere, Perez nails Vandoorne, also in T4, to take 5th.
In quick succession Vettel passes Alonso and Magnussen, the German now up to 9th. Then again, what engine powers the Haas?
Hulkenberg pits at the end of lap 9 switching to softs.
As Magnussen pits, Hulkenberg goes quickest in S2.
"That last lap you took a second out of Hamilton," Ricciardo is told, "nice job."
Next up for Vettel is the Williams duo, first Massa and then Stroll. Hamilton is given an update of Vettel's progress, warning that the German could be a threat by the end of the race.
At the end of lap 11, Massa and Grosjean pit.
"Rears are starting to go away a bit," warns Stroll. The Canadian subsequently pits, as does Gasly.
Meanwhile, in clear air, Vettel goes quickest in S2.
When Vandoorne pits at the end of lap 13, Vettel is promoted to 6th. Palmer also pits.
Following his stop, Stroll is immediately embroiled in as battle with his teammate. Soon they are all over the back of Vandoorne who exits the pits in the midst of their squabble, getting ahead of Massa, as does Stroll.
"Some understeer starting to build," advises Ricciardo. "The rears are still on holiday."
As Verstappen builds an 8.5s comfort cushion, Ricciardo closes to within 4.4s of the Mercedes.
Vettel closes on Perez, the German locking up in the final corner as he catches the Mexican with alarming speed.
"Tyres are good, no rush to pit," Perez is told. "You can use everything from the tyre."
Next time around there are no mistakes, Vettel nails the Force India in T1. The Mexican attempts to reclaim the position, but his resistance is futile. The crowd erupts.
Now up to 5th, Vettel's next target is Bottas who is 3.151s ahead.
"Give us feedback on your tyres and let us know your tag level," Hamilton is asked. "Tyres are okay, level 3," he replies.
Other than Raikkonen's failure to start, there have been no retirements.
Verstappen reports wear to his front-left, but his team assures him this is not affecting performance.
After 23 laps, it's: Verstappen, Hamilton, Ricciardo, Bottas, Vettel, Perez, Alonso, Sainz, Ocon and Vandoorne.
Relay shows a lock-up in the final corner for Hamilton.
Out come the yellows as Ocon spins in T1 following a clash with Sainz, the Frenchman subsequently dropping to 12th.
Vettel is right up with Bottas now, he makes a half-hearted move but the Finn is ready for it.
At the end of lap 26, just under half-distance, Hamilton pits. He rejoins in third just ahead of the Bottas/Vettel battle.
"He closed on me," says Sainz of Ocon. "Any car damage?" he is asked. "No," he replies.
"Did Sainz hit you?" Ocon is asked. "For sure," he replies. "It's not clear enough?" "Let us know then," he is told. "You need to get on the radio and let us know."
The incident is noted by the stewards.
Vettel responds to Hamilton by pitting at the end of lap 27. He rejoins in 6th. Verstappen also pits, handing the lead to teammate Ricciardo.
As Hamilton posts a new fastest lap (34.723), Vettel passes Bottas, much to the delight of the crowd.
No further investigation of the Sainz/Ocon incident warranted.
Ricciardo pits at the end of lap 29, giving the lead back to his teammate. The Australian rejoins in third, ahead of Perez - who has yet to stop - and Vettel.
"No power, no power," complains Sainz. The Spaniard subsequently pits.
Now Vettel goes quickest (34.500) as Sainz warns "no engine, no engine".
Now Ocon is warring with Massa, the Frenchman running wide as he battles the Williams veteran. "******* hell, he pushed me off again," complains the Frenchman.
Perez pits at the end of lap 30, thereby promoting Vettel to fourth. The German responds by posting another fastest lap (34.433) as he sets about closing the 13.7s gap to Ricciardo.
No holds barred as Alonso barges his way past Magnussen in T2 having had his first attempt rebuffed. "What the hell is he doing that guy," complains Magnussen.
"What an idiot," laughs Alonso. "Hulkenberg is right!"
Grosjean pits at the end of lap 34, his second stop of the afternoon.
All alone on track, Vettel posts a string of fastest laps as he cuts Ricciardo's lead to 10.3s.
"You are the quickest of the two cars ahead of you," Ricciardo is told, "you are catching them." He is currently 17.7s down on Verstappen and 9.2s down on Hamilton, with Vettel 9.1s behind.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Sepang, here.
A spin for Palmer at T14, Briton dropping to 14th in the process.
Verstappen closes and subsequently passes a battling Magnussen and Palmer. No sooner has the Red Bull driver passed them than they touch and the Briton spins again. In the garage, Dad Jonathan looks unimpressed.
"What a ******* lunatic," complains Magnussen.
"I have damage with the car," says Magnussen. "I don't know how long it is going to last." However, his team cannot see any issues. Yet.
Another fastest lap for Vettel (34.218) as her closes to within 6.7s of Ricciardo.
"Stopping is not an option," Hulkenberg is told. "It is a very poor option, we have to make thee tyres work." The German is currently 11th, clearly a stop would drop him down the field and out of a possible point scoring position.
"What happened to Jo," asks Hulkenberg. "He had a spin," he is told. Spin? Spins.
"Vettel will be with you in four or five laps," Ricciardo is warned. "Understood," the Australian replies, the Australian currently picking his way through the back-markers.
"Next car behind you is Vettel," Ricciardo is warned, "we're racing for the podium."
"Last lap was good," Hamilton is told, "if you can maintain that it would be great."
Alonso doesn't make things easy for Vettel as the German and Ricciardo come up to lap him.
"Come on Alonso," urges Vettel, "really? I thought you were better than that."
The German makes a move in T1, but the Red Bull driver is prepared and stops the Ferrari in its tracks.
"Attack now, attack now," Vettel is urged. "Too far, let me do it," he replies.
Hulkenberg finally pits again at the end of lap 51.
Vettel has now slipped to 3s behind Ricciardo, clearly the fight is over, which probably accounts for the "attack now" message.
"Think you've broken Vettel's spirit," Ricciardo is told, "we think he's got to look after his tyres. Nice job."
As he chases Alonso, Magnussen runs wide, kicking up a cloud of dust into the face of Gasly.
The Frenchman responds by locking horns with the Dane's teammate.
Verstappen begins his final lap.
Vettel is now 11s down on Ricciardo, but 21s clear of Bottas.
"Well done Max, absolutely on merit... and Happy Birthday".
There's late drama. The race is over but Stroll has hit Vettel and ripped off his left-rear wheel. He climbs from his car and gets a lift from countryman Wehrlein.
"Is that possible?" says a stunned Vettel. "Stroll is not looking where he is going! He completely shunted into my car."
"Vettel just ran right into the side of me," says Stroll.
Meanwhile, Verstappen runs to his crew, while in the Red Bull garage his friends and family shed tears of frustration.
In the ante room, Verstappen is more concerned about "sugary drinks" than anything else. "Can we get some sugary drinks," he asks time and time again. Sugary drinks! You're twenty, you've just won a Grand Prix!!!
"I could have closed the door," smiles Hamilton as the three drivers try to cool down in the ante room, "but I thought I'm not risking the championship!"
"I think, in the beginning, straight away the car felt good and I saw Lewis was struggling a bit with traction," says Verstappen on the podium. "He was drifting a bit more than me so I used my battery as much as I could.
"Of course, he has more to lose than me in the championship," he adds, looking across to Hamilton, "so I went for it in Turn 1 and from there on I could do my own race, the car was unbelievable. I had pace, if I needed to speed up I could speed up.
"It's amazing," he smiles, "a very tough race, but Incredible to win!"
"Congratulations to Max, and happy birthday, and a big thanks to the crowd here," says Hamilton. "We appreciate you guys having us, and all the support you bring us.
"The race was a tough one, they had the upper hand on us," he admits. "I feel good, but I think we have some work to do with the car. Obviously we didn't have the pace today, there's still work to do, there's still races ahead. We've just got to keep pushing."
"At the start it looked like the Mercedes were struggling, I was behind Bottas for a few laps," chips in Ricciardo, "he defended well, and then at the end Seb came so quick, but he only had one strong attack and I was able to pull away.
"It was pretty lonely, it was hot, it was physical," he adds. "But it's nice to get a podium, congratulations to Max... his second win, he drove well all weekend, a good race for the team.
"Thanks to all the Aussies," he grins, before calling to the crowd for a flag.
"This victory comes at a very good time," admits Verstappen. "I was really happy when I crossed the line...
As he starts to thank his father, he is sprayed with Champagne in his ear by Hamilton, who probably has just as good a reason to celebrate.
Meanwhile, the stewards are to investigate that post-race clash, one that could cause Ferrari and Vettel further headaches as he may have damaged his gearbox, necessitating a new one next week at Suzuka.
To sum up, Verstappen wins, ahead of Hamilton, Ricciardo, Vettel, Bottas, Perez, Vandoorne, Stroll, Massa and Ocon.
Alonso is eleventh, ahead of Magnussen, Grosjean, Gasly, Palmer, Hulkenberg, Wehrlein and Ericsson.