Max Verstappen wins the Grand Prix of Malaysia

Photo: Manan Vatsyayana Agence France-Presse
Verstappen has made a passing remarkable to pay the costs of Hamilton into turn no. 4.

Sepang — Max Verstappen celebrated his 20 years with a victory at the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Malaysia on Sunday, while Lewis Hamilton finished second to widen the gap at the head of the drivers ‘ championship ahead of Sebastian Vettel.

Vettel started the race in the back of the grid, but he has offered a clinic in the cockpit and finished fourth behind the Red Bull of Daniel Ricciardo. The German was thus able to limit the damage in the championship race.

“Seb came so quickly towards the end, I felt that I was going to have his hands full, spoke of the Australian. But he could not launch a single attack. “

His Ferrari team-mate, Kimi Raikkonen, was not able to take the start, in spite of the fact that he was leaving the second rank. A few minutes before the start of the race, the mechanics of the Scuderia have pushed his car to the pits, and they were not able to rehabilitate in time for the start.

Hamilton had won his 70th pole position in career the day before, and his fourth in a row on the Sepang circuit, while Vettel waited patiently in the garages of Ferrari due to a technical glitch with its engine.

Twenty-four hours after having celebrated its 20th birthday, Verstappen has shown once more the extent of his talent by performing an overrun remarkable at the expense of Hamilton into turn no. 4.

“I chose to go inside. It was my only chance, ” said Dutch. I saw that Lewis lacked grip, so I used my battery a little more.The race went very well. As soon as I passed Lewis, I could concentrate on my tires. Subsequently, I followed my game plan. It is wonderful to win. “

His father, the legendary F1 driver Jos Verstappen, became very emotional when he saw his son climbing on the highest step of the podium.

“Congratulations to Max, said Hamilton. He has done a fantastic job today. “

The only victory of Hamilton in Malaysia is produced in 2014. He dominated the race last year before being forced to retire due to an engine problem.

The last victory for Vettel dates back to the Hungarian Grand Prix before the summer break, allowing him to climb at this time 14 points in front of the pilot Mercedes. Hamilton, however, has won three of four races since that time and has a cushion of 34 points ahead of the German with five races to negotiate.

“This is a step in the right direction in the drivers’ championship, so every point counts, said Hamilton. Given the trouble that we have experienced with the car, it is a good weekend. “

The Canadian Lance Stroll finished eighth, just ahead of his teammate Felipe Massa.