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 Lewis Hamilton led a Mercedes one-two ahead of Nico Rosberg in the
season opener in Melbourne last month, the pair enjoying a Sunday
stroll around Albert Park that left the rest of the field trailing
in their wake and fans fearing the worst.
Another procession was expected in Malaysia but Vettel and Ferrari
had other ideas with both winning a race for the first time since
2013, thanks to a car that was much kinder on the tires in the
sweltering heat and a tactical masterclass from race engineers.
Mercedes are now fully aware they have a real title fight on their
hands from a team that stumbled from one crisis to another in a
winless 2014 campaign, but the German outfit will be happy to race
at a circuit that suits the car with track temperatures far less
demanding on the Pirelli tires.
"We left Malaysia with plenty to think about. It may have been a
good result for the sport... but for us, it was a wake-up call,"
Mercedes motorsports head Toto Wolff said.
"Our opposition has raised its game and we must now raise ours even
further. As we have said since Melbourne, we expect a season-long
battle for both world championships and we must maximize every
opportunity," he added.
"China is the next chance to do that... a circuit which has been a
good hunting ground for the team."
Hamilton beat Rosberg to the chequered flag in Shanghai a year ago
and while recent trends make Mercedes favorites at the 5.451 km
Hermann Tilke-designed circuit, Ferrari won the race in 2013 and
will be keen to prevent the Briton from registering a
record-extending fourth win in China.
RUDE AWAKENING
Fernando Alonso was another driver given a rude awakening in
Malaysia and while the Spaniard put a brave face on an early
withdrawal on his seasonal debut for McLaren after missing Melbourne
due to concussion, the sight of his old employers storming to
victory must have left a bittersweet taste.
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Undeterred and insisting he was happy to rejoin a team with whom he
spent one unhappy season in 2007, Alonso firmly believes the car is
making rapid improvements since a disastrous season-opener and
double retirement last time out.
"The steps we took between Australia and Malaysia were extremely
impressive," the double world champion said.
"That sort of progress really gives the whole team belief and
confidence in the path we're taking, so I hope we can keep moving
forwards every time we take to the track."
Williams and Red Bull will also be hoping for a more positive
weekend after two races that starkly exposed their early-season
limitations.
The former had been expected to battle with Ferrari for second place
but have been well beaten by Vettel in Australia and Malaysia, while
Red Bull have become bogged down in a public spat with engine
suppliers Renault and were unable to back up an impressive
qualifying session in Malaysia during the race.
(Writing by John O'Brien in Singapore, Editing by Patrick Johnston)
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