|
 He was back, Ferrari were back and most importantly, Formula One was
back.
Vettel upset the odds with a stunning drive at Sepang, overhauling
pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes thanks to Ferrari's ability to
get the best out of the faster medium-compound tires in Malaysia's
sweltering heat.
The team tactics were also superb, opting to keep the four-time
world champion out on track during an early safety car period as
rivals dived into the pits for new tires, and he rode the advantage
all the way to the chequered flag.
Not only had the German and Ferrari claimed their first victories
since 2013 but, by finally finding a way to beat the dominant
Mercedes "fair and square" as he put it, the series can now hope for
a proper title race.
The 2015 season is only two races old, yet before Malaysia Formula
One was awash with negative storylines and feared Mercedes could win
everything at a canter.
Red Bull's Christian Horner, principal of Vettel's once-dominant but
now troubled former team, had suggested Mercedes needed to be reined
in by the authorities to level things out.
Vettel's own German Grand Prix had been axed due to a lack of
finances and the confusion surrounding Fernando Alonso's winter
testing crash and withdrawal from the Melbourne opener all added to
the negative tone.
A Ferrari victory was the shot in the arm that the sport needed. As
Mercedes' Nico Rosberg said on the podium at Sepang: "All I can say
now, on behalf of our team is: Game on, Ferrari."
HUGE POTENTIAL
Vettel, following in the footsteps of seven-times champion
compatriot Michael Schumacher, fulfilled a dream when he joined
Ferrari at the end of last season but there remains plenty of work
to do.
The Italian outfit, rebuilt after failing to win a race in a season
for the first time since 1993, have no illusions about that even if
Mercedes felt they had received a 'wake-up call'.
[to top of second column] |
"Since I joined Ferrari I felt incredibly welcome and together we
have worked to improve things. The potential, as I always said, is
huge, it's good to see what a step forward we did over the winter,"
Vettel said.
"This is a special day, it has been a while since both I and team
won for the last time.
"I'd like to be in the same position at every race but we must be
realistic, Mercedes struggled today but have a great package and our
target is to make the gap smaller at every grand prix and make sure
that we are the team right behind them."
Mercedes, who had romped to a one-two finish in Australia,
recognized the danger Ferrari posed following the first practice
session in Malaysia and were taking the threat seriously.
"We were not expecting them to be as quick as they were. Vettel is
up there with us," said world champion Lewis Hamilton, runner-up on
Sunday.
"Ferrari and Sebastian were the best today so they are a title
contender -- both Ferrari drivers," added third-placed Rosberg.
Vettel's team mate Kimi Raikkonen was perhaps the unluckiest driver
of the weekend, yet the Finn overcame a qualifying setback and early
puncture in the race to finish fourth.
The next grand prix is in Shanghai on April 12 and the cooler
conditions are likely to put Mercedes back in command.
But Malaysia left no doubt that Ferrari are back in business.
(Editing by Alan Baldwin)
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
