Hamilton dominates Malaysia GPposted in F130 | 03 | 2014

LEWIS HAMILTON DOMINATED today's Malaysian Grand Prix to kickstart his Formula One World Championship bid. Polesitter Hamilton, who also posted the fastest lap of the race, led home Mercedes' first F1 1-2 since the Italian Grand Prix at Monza in 1955.

The 2008 world champ cruised home 17.313secs ahead of his team-mate, Australian GP winner Nico Rosberg, with the Red Bull of four-time world champ Sebastian Vettel third, 7.2s adrift of his fellow German.

Hamilton led the entire race, bar one lap when he was out of position following a pitstop. The win moved him to second in the championship, 18pts adrift of Rosberg.

And there was more disappointment for Daniel Ricciardo. The Aussie, who was disqualified from his second place in his home race a fortnight ago, looked on course for a comfortable fourth place.

Related: Gordon Shedden starts fifth in BTCC opener

But a botched late pitstop — which saw him leave his 'box' without the front-left wheel being fitted correctly, and ultimately resulted in his crew having to push him back to the garage — wrecked his race.

Worse though was to follow. Having rejoined the race, his Red Bull suffered a front wing failure and he was forced to retire.

Stewards then also subsequently slapped a 10-grid penalty on him, for an 'unsafe' pit release, for next weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix.

In contrast to Ricciardo's disappointment, Hamilton was delighted with his win.

"It feels incredible," Hamilton said. After such a difficult weekend and such a long winter. I just feel so grateful, particularly after such a tragedy (Malaysian flight MH370) three weeks ago. I'd really like to dedicate this to those people and their families.

"The team was just spot on with all the pitstops and the calling, the timing. Also the info I was getting was just spot on.

"What a great car, what a great job from everyone."

F1 Malaysian Grand Prix, Sepang — Result (Provisional):

1. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1m40m25.974s;

2. Nico Rosberg Mercedes +17.313s;

3. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault +24.534s;

4. Fernando Alonso Ferrari +35.992s;

5. Nico Hulkenberg Force India-Mercedes +47.199s;

6. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes +1m23.691s;

7. Felipe Massa Williams-Mercedes +1m25.076s;

8. Valtteri Bottas Williams-Mercedes +1m25.537s;

9. Kevin Magnussen McLaren-Mercedes +1 lap;

10. Daniil Kvyat Toro Rosso-Renault +1 lap;

11. Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault +1 lap;

12. Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari +1 lap;

13. Kamui Kobayashi Caterham-Renault +1 lap;

14. Marcus Ericsson Caterham-Renault +2 laps;

15. Max Chilton Marussia-Ferrari +2 laps.

Retirements:

Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull-Renault 49 laps

Esteban Gutierrez Sauber-Ferrari 35 laps

Adrian Sutil Sauber-Ferrari 32 laps

Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso-Renault 18 laps

Jules Bianchi Marussia-Ferrari 8 laps

Pastor Maldonado Lotus-Renault 7 laps

Sergio Perez Force India-Mercedes 0 laps

World Championship Standings (After 2 of 19 GPs):

Drivers' championship:

1. Nico Rosberg 43

2. Lewis Hamilton 25

3. Fernando Alonso 24

4. Jenson Button 23

5. Kevin Magnussen 20

6. Nico Hulkenberg 18

7. Sebastian Vettel 15

8. Valtteri Bottas 14

9. Kimi Raikkonen 6

10. Felipe Massa 6

11. Jean-Eric Vergne 4

12. Daniil Kvyat 3

13. Sergio Perez 1

Constructors' championship:

1. Mercedes 68

2. McLaren-Mercedes 43

3. Ferrari 30

4. Williams-Mercedes 20

5. Force India-Mercedes 19

6. Red Bull-Renault 15

7. Toro Rosso-Renault 7

8. Sauber-Ferrari 0

9. Lotus-Renault 0

10. Caterham-Renault 0

11. Marussia-Ferrari 0

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Jim McGill