F1 review: Malaysian Grand Prix 2010

Here we are, third race of the Formula 1 season and there is a great opportunity for an Alonso, a Massa or a Button to forge ahead in the race to become the 2010 World Champion. Who will step up? Who will challenge them? Read on the for answers and no doubt a few more questions.

Webber on pole

With the weather holding back, the race begins with Vettell overtaking his team mate on the first corner. It is now a Red Bull one-two, but at a very early stage in the proceedings. Hamilton has a great start as he makes enormous progress over the first few laps and in fact is up a massive ten places in just four laps. In a slightly less barnstorming manner, Schumacher makes inroads and gains two places early on.

The first major scrap of any note involves the two Ferraris and Button’s McLaren, but in the unfamiliar surroundings of the rear of the field. This clash of the titans continues as Button takes Alonso, the ease of which may suggest a problem for the Championship leader. The fight for one point is on!

Schumacher malfunction

Elsewhere, Button is flying! Fastest lap and then he comes in for new tyres… Too early? Time will tell. The positions in the race now seem meaningless as every man and his dog are coming in for a pitstop. Although the new rule about refuelling during a race (or more specifically, the lack of) seems to keep the cars out on the track for longer periods and therefore make the racing more exciting, it does mean that most of the drivers tend to pit at similar times due to tyre degradation and as a result it takes a few laps to establish the true race positions.

It’s the pits

Once all the pitting has ceased, Vettel still emerges as the race leader, with team mate Webber in second to potentially make it a Red Bull one-two. Button and Hamilton are literally within inches of each other as they battle for progression in this race. Meanwhile, away from the main contenders, Alguersuari is having an impressive race with some brave overtaking and is edging his way up through the field.

The Ferraris belatedly start to make progress with Alonso setting a new fastest lap and Massa getting past Button. The Britain then becomes a target for Alonso. With all this going on behind them, Vettel and Webber seem rather comfortable at the front of the race.

The main questions are…Can Hamilton get past the Force India of Sutil? Will Button remain the filling in a Ferrari sandwich? Can Red Bull hold their nerve and avoid any unforced errors? Any errors from them would be completely and utterly unforced.

The answer to one of the questions is no. Alonso makes a bold attempt to get past Button but unfortunately for the Spaniard his car expires in a big plume of smoke and is forced to retire from the race right at the very end. Bad luck.

Red Bull dominance

Special mention should go to Virgin Racing for their first ever finish in a Grand Prix courtesy of di Grassi and to Alguersuari for a hugely impressive ninth place for the young driver. Meanwhile Hamilton wins the McLaren plaudits from Button, with the Ferrari of Massa acting as a buffer between the British drivers. Kubica finishes in fourth.

Vettel victorious

Three races completed. Three different winners. Could this be the most open Championship in years? There are only nine points separating  Massa, Alonso, Vettel, Button, Rosberg, Hamilton and Kubica, as the drivers look forward to the Chinese Grand Prix in two weeks time.

Watch the race highlights here