Vettel and Ferrari did it in Malaysian race

Manor confirmed a little earlier that Will Stevens will miss today’s race. ‘Sadly Will is unable to start today’s race as we have not been able to get on top of the fuel system problem from yesterday,’ the team announced on their Twitter account.

According to Red Bull chief Christian Horner, some cars may have to complete four pitstops today to get through the race with conditions once more sweltering: “This race is all going to be about tyre management and tyre strategy. It’s very hard on the tyre around here, particularly in these conditions. It’s going to be about those that can conserve the tyres the best on the longer run and who knows it could be between a three or even a four-stop race.”

Did he play poker?

Despite being one of the wider grids, Lewis Hamilton has just hit a Sauber mechanic as he was pushed onto the grid. Doesn’t look to be any damage to the front wing.

Mercedes are also aware that the Ferraris could possibly just stop twice in the race – but Toto Wolff isn’t ruling out his team doing likewise:

“I think they can two stop – I think we can two stop also. It depends how the second stint goes on the hard tyre. Two and three stops are very near each other, it’s only two seconds at the end.”

“For future reference it would be good to have someone keep my steering wheel cool as it is roasting,” complains pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton over the radio.

Sebastian Vettel wins at Sepang from Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg; Vettel used tyre strategy to seize advantage, staying on medium tyres and making just two pit stops while Mercedes pitted both their cars early under SC for hards; Kimi Raikkonen fourth after early puncture; Max Verstappen becomes F1’s youngest point-scorer in seventh; Both McLarens retire.

Pos Driver Car Gap
1 Sebastian Vettel Ferrari 1h41m05.793s
2 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 8.569s
3 Nico Rosberg Mercedes 12.310s
4 Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari 53.822s
5 Valtteri Bottas Williams/Mercedes 1m10.409s
6 Felipe Massa Williams/Mercedes 1m13.586s
7 Max Verstappen Toro Rosso/Renault 1m39.085s
8 Carlos Sainz Toro Rosso/Renault 1 Lap
9 Daniil Kvyat Red Bull/Renault 1 Lap
10 Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull/Renault 1 Lap
11 Romain Grosjean Lotus/Mercedes 1 Lap
12 Felipe Nasr Sauber/Ferrari 1 Lap
13 Sergio Perez Force India/Mercedes 1 Lap
14 Nico Hulkenberg Force India/Mercedes 1 Lap
15 Roberto Merhi Marussia/Ferrari 3 Laps
Pastor Maldonado Lotus/Mercedes Retirement
Jenson Button McLaren/Honda Retirement
Fernando Alonso McLaren/Honda Retirement
Marcus Ericsson Sauber/Ferrari Retirement
Will Stevens Marussia/Ferrari Withdrawn