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| Source: F1Zone |
Order was restored in the Formula One world in Malaysia, Sebastian Vettel returned to the top of the podium, but, it wasn't plain sailing.
Just over a year after the FIA decided to allow team orders, we had a weekend dictated by them.
Vettel, received orders from RedBull to maintain position but opted to ignore the order and overtake team-mate Mark Webber.
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| Webber vents his frustration. |
The Australian was not amused and could be seen flicking the bird to his German team-mate from the cockpit of his RB9.
The tension between the pair flared up post race on the podium when Webber declared Vettel "Would get protection as usual."
Over at Mercedes, new-boy Lewis Hamilton received the preferential treatment with Nico Rosberg told by team principal Ross Brawn not to pass him.
Although, Hamilton was nursing home an under fuelled car and the team were admittedly trying to un-do their mistake by allowing Hamilton to take his first podium for the Silver Arrow team. The pair finished 3rd and 4th respectively.
Felipe Massa continued his good start to the season at Ferrari, the Brazilian finished 5th.
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| Alonso crashes out. Source: Adelaidenow |
The Scuderias' talismanic Spaniard however, failed to make it past the second lap after contact resulted in him losing his front wing and consequently crashing out.
McLaren struggled again in Malaysia, eventually retiring Jenson Button to allow a gearbox change after realising he wasn't able to score points.
Buttons' Mexican team-mate, Sergio Perez finished in the points in 9th although, the Woking-based team will be looking to improve next time out. He also set the fastest lap of the race which hints that a hidden performance may be in the McLaren.
Lotus had a mixed weekend with pressure on them to maintain their blistering performance in Australia, Grosjean and Raikkonnen finished 6th and 7th respectively.
They struggled to adjust to changing conditions but, team principal re-assured us that the team aim to improve for following races.
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| Force India retire both cars. Source: Planet F1 |
Force India endured a horrific weekend with both cars forced to retire with 'wheel nut issues.'
Obviously, an easy fix for the team but, frustrating non the less. Sutil and Di Resta both rued a missed opportunity but vowed to make up for the disappointment in China.
Jean Eric Vergne scored the final point available with a 10th place finish he was 'satisfied' with points but claimed the teams race pace was good enough to do even better.
His team-mate Daniel Ricciardo aquaplaned off the track in the early stages and struggled to recover from there.
Sauber driver Nico Hulkenberg had an impressive weekend and proved why he is held in high regard amidst the paddock. The German finished 8th and in changing conditions he often stood out.
Rookie Gutierrez, came home in 12th all be it a lap down, he showed glimpses of why he'd been signed with a few overtaking maneuvers during the race.
Williams were forced to retire Pastor Maldonado due to an on-going KERS issue. The Venezuelan reported that he was pulled in as a'precautionary measure.'
Team-mate Valtteri Bottas finished the Grand Prix in 11th only a 0.9 seonds behind the point scoring places so he can take positives away from his second race in F1.
The acquisition of Jules Bianchi appears to be a brilliant one for Marussia as once again he arguably out performed the car and mixed with mid-runners.
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| Jules Bianchi. Source: Getty Images |
After catching the eye at a Young Drivers' test last year, Bianchi has shown tremendous pace and confidence in his early F1 career.
He finished 13th but insisted he wants to do better during the season.
Max Chilton was once again out performed by hus team-mate and finished last in 16th, the Brit will need to adapt quickly to try and compete with Bianchi.
Caterham appear to be the new team at the back of the grid drivers' Pic and van der Garde both managed to finish but their lack of pace was apparent throughout the weekend.
