6 Things You Might Have Missed From The Malaysian Grand Prix

Image source: Mercedes AMG Petronas

Lewis Hamilton stormed to a dominant race win in Malaysia as Mercedes registered their first one-two since the 1955 Italian Grand Prix.

It was his 23rd race win and his 100th points finish. Nico Rosberg finished second, ahead of reigning champion Sebastian Vettel. Fernando Alonso and Nico Hulkenberg had a late battle and rounded out the top five. Here are six memorable moments from the race:

1. Things get physical

Image source: Lotus F1 Team

Jules Bianchi and Pastor Maldonado clashed on the first lap of the Malaysian Grand Prix. The former was given a penalty for the collision and was furious with the stewards after it became clear that contact with Vergne had given him a puncture, meaning he had no way of avoiding the Lotus E22 as the cars took turn three.

2. Iceman flattened by a rookie

Image source: FelixR1991

Kimi Raikkonen had a difficult race to 12th place after he was hit by rookie Kevin Magnussen, who admitted fault, on lap two. The Iceman suffered an immediate puncture and dropped to the back of the field. He failed to make up much ground and ended the race just behind Grosjean’s Lotus.

3. Running on empty

Image source: Delahorney

We haven’t seen the awesome thermal imaging camera yet this season, but Formula One Management (FOM) did introduce a new and handy graphic over the second race weekend of the year that details the percentage of fuel (drivers are allowed only 100kg) that each driver has used throughout the race. Maybe the next step could be to look at visor cameras, like in IndyCar?

4. Disaster for Dan-Ric

Image source: FelixR1991

Daniel Ricciardo’s season got off to a controversial start with his disqualification in Australia and it didn’t get much better in Malaysia. The Aussie was holding on to fourth place when he was released from his third stop with a loose front-right wheel. He lost a lap and then suffered a front wing failure. Following his pit stop, he was given a five-second stop/go penalty and eventually retired.

5. Naughty drivers…

Image source: Red Bull/Getty Images

And it didn't get any better for Ricciardo, who was given a 10-place grid penalty for next weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix due to an unsafe release - quite harsh if you ask me. Both Bianchi and Magnussen were given two points on their racing licenses – a new penalty system – for their roles in early accidents.

6. Bottas is faster than you!

Image source: Williams Martini Racing

Only a brave man would give team orders to Felipe Massa after the now infamous 2010 German Grand Prix radio message. The Williams team’s instruction to let his team-mate Valtteri Bottas through in the closing stages of today's race must have been incredibly frustrating for the Brazilian. They felt Bottas had a better chance of challenging Jenson Button for sixth place but Massa disagreed and chose to ignore the command, crossing the line in seventh.