2016 F1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix: Ricciardo wins, Rosberg recovers, Hamilton falters!

 

The 2016 edition of the Malaysia Grand Prix could be one of the more emotional races in its 18-year exsistence. There was nothing that could have prepared the fans on what transpired in Sepang that Sunday afternoon. Fire, engine blow-ups, carnage, and verbal assault from the defending champ.

 

Lewis Hamilton, who took pole for the race, got his best start of the year to lead the pack into turn 1. Main rival and team mate Nico Rosberg got turned around when he collided with Sebastian Vettel. Vettel tried to get past the Red Bull of Verstappen by diving on the inside, and got the nose of his Ferrari ahead of Max. But he caught the rear tire of Rosberg as the Mercedes turned in. The resulting spin relegated the #6 car to 21st place. Meanwhile, the Ferrari of Vettel failed to continue further due to a broken front suspension. His race ended at the first corner.

 

Hamilton from that time on had clear air in front. All he had to do to win was to keep his nose clean to the end, and the lead in the championship would be his. Lewis was on a blistering pace from the onset. There was nothing his rivals could do to challenge the power of the Mercedes, Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen could only try to close the gap as the Mercedes sped on ahead.

 

Lewis was almost assured of the win since the beginning, but then fate stepped in. With 15 laps to go, with a comfortable lead on hand, Lewis Hamilton’s power unit gave way in the most spectacular of fashion. The Mercedes, as it came out of turn 15, lost power at the straight, its engine blowing up spewing oil and smoke everywhere. As fire licked the engine cover, Lewis had no option but to pull over. It was game over for the defending champion. Heartbroken and defeated, Hamilton lashed out when interviewed to describe what happened. Lewis went on to imply a conspiracy against the defense of his title. “My questions are to Mercedes- we have lost so many engines. There are eight drivers and mine are the only ones who has failed. Someone has to give me some answers and it is not acceptable. Something or someone doesn’t want me to win this year.”

 

In the grandstands, it was a contrast of emotions. Hamilton fans groaned in disbelief of his misfortune, while the Red Bull faithful were jubilant at the reversal of fortunes. Red Bull was going to win it all! The only question was will it be Daniel or Max?

 

The duo raced each other wheel to wheel, at times nearly coming into contact, until a call came in from the pit wall. The coded message “have a drink, 11 laps to go” was sent out. Afterwards, both drivers kept their position to avoid taking each other out.

 

Daniel Ricciardo crossed the line to take the checkered flag 2.4 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen.

 

This was the first 1-2 finish of Red Bull since 2014, and the only 1-2 this season aside from Mercedes.

 

Nico Rosberg who had the unenviable task of trying to claw back his lost position, got in the groove early on. Even with a 10 second penalty slapped on the German for colliding with Kimi Raikkonen on lap 39, Rosberg, who was on the hard Pirellis, had the grip and speed to finish behind the Red Bull pair. The feat gave his points tally a well deserved boost. He now leads Hamilton by 28 points in the standings going into Japan.

 

The much awaited podium celebrations had Ricciardo again drinking champagne from his race shoe. Fans even clammored for Christian Horner and Max Verstappen to partake of the bubbly from Daniel’s shoe. But the best reaction was that of Nico, gamely drinking from the shoe, but as he finished, the German was caught by the cameras grimacing in disgust.