Formula 1: Alonso struck by misfortune – Massa scores points
Misfortune in the anniversary race: Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso no doubt had different expectations of his 200th Grand Prix. In the Malaysian Grand Prix at Kuala Lumpur he damaged his front wing in the battle for the lead after having started from P3 and was forced to retire as early as on the second lap. His team-mate fared better. Felipe Massa, who in his Ferrari relies on dampers from ZF Friedrichshafen AG, took fifth place after a tactically difficult race.
For Australia winner Kimi Räikkönen the string of successes did not continue though. The Finn whose Lotus-Renault is equipped with a clutch from ZF had to settle for seventh place behind his French team-mate Romain Grosjean. Luck had not been on his side as early as in qualifying. After allegedly having obstructed a competitor he received a three-place grid penalty that forced him to start from P10.
The German Nico Hülkenberg and Jean-Eric Vergne from France scored their first points of the season. In his Ferrari-Sauber that is fitted with dampers from ZF Friedrichshafen AG Hülkenberg took eighth place behind Räikkönen. Vergne (clutch from ZF Friedrichshafen AG) managed the leap into the top ten as well on finishing in tenth place.
Result GP Malaysia (MAL), round 2, FIA Formula 1 World Championship, 22.03.-24.03.2013:
1. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull-Renault, 1h 38m 56.681s
2. Mark Webber, Red Bull-Renault, + 4.298s
3. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, + 12.181s
4. Nico Rosberg, Mercedes, + 12.640s
5. Felipe Massa, Ferrari, + 25.648s ZF
6. Romain Grosjean, Lotus-Renault, + 35.564s ZF
7. Kimi Räikkönen, Lotus-Renault, + 48.479s ZF
8. Nico Hülkenberg, Sauber-Ferrari, + 53.044s ZF
9. Sergio Pérez, McLaren-Mercedes, + 1m 2.357s
10. Jean-Eric Vergne, Toro Rosso-Ferrari, + 1m 27.124s ZF
Drivers World Championship standings:
1. S. Vettel, 40 points; 2. K. Räikkönen, 31; 3. M. Webber, 26; 4. L. Hamilton, 25; 5. F. Massa, 22; 6. F. Alonso, 18; 7. N. Rosberg, 12; 8. R. Grosjean, 9; 9. A. Sutil, 6; 10. N. Hülkenberg, 4.
Manufacturers World Championship standings:
1. Red Bull-Renault, 66 points; 2. Ferrari and Lotus-Renault, 40; 4. Mercedes, 37; 5. Force India-Mercedes, 10; 6. McLaren-Mercedes and Sauber, 4; 8. Toro Rosso, 1.