It was the result everyone dreamed about but no one truly believed would happen. Following the predicted domination by Mercedes in Australia, a win for Ferrari in Malaysia was a perfect tonic for Formula One, never mind the iconic Italian team coming off the back of its worst season in decades, nor Sebastian Vettel, rubbished after struggling last year.
Better than that, Ferrari and the four-time World Champion did not luck into this victory. They beat the favourites fair and square, Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg joining an ecstatic Vettel on the podium. All three were exhausted after an hour and 40 minutes of racing in sapping humidity, Vettel scarcely able to believe this result in only his second race with Ferrari.
“I’m speechless,” said the German. “This year’s Ferrari [unlike last year’s Red Bull] seems to suit me very well and the team has welcomed me so much. We know these guys [Hamilton and Rosberg] are incredibly strong but, for now, I don’t care!”
The first hint of a Ferrari victory came, not when a stealthy qualifying lap put Vettel alongside Hamilton’s pole position Mercedes, but during Friday’s practice. Long runs showed the Ferrari to be kinder to the Medium and Hard Pirellis, a factor that Ferrari brought into play at a crucial moment just four laps into the race.
The appearance of the Safety Car (due to a Sauber beached in the gravel) caused an immediate tactical reset. But, whereas Mercedes decided to call in both Hamilton and Rosberg, Ferrari left Vettel on track in the knowledge that he could keep alive the softer Medium (which the top 10 had started on).
The Mercedes drivers were switched to the Hard on the basis that it would last longer. But it would be no match for Vettel, added to which Hamilton and Rosberg had rejoined in time-consuming traffic, whereas Vettel was running free.
The outcome of the race was decided right there even though Mercedes believed they could catch the Ferrari after stopping later in the race. In the event, Hamilton made his final stop and rejoined 14 seconds behind Vettel. The fresh tyres were faster – but not quick enough to allow Hamilton to come close to worrying Vettel.
The win marked a turnaround for Ferrari, one that was underlined by Kimi Räikkonen’s recovery drive. Having qualified 11th, Raikkonen lost most of lap two because of a puncture, the Safety Car subsequently allowing him to close up to the back of the field. His speed in the tyre-destroying conditions underlined Ferrari’s pace as the Finn came through to finish fourth.
Raikkonen was followed home by the Williams-Mercedes team after Valtteri Bottas had snatched fifth from Felipe Massa with a daring run round the outside of his team-mate on the last lap. Williams may have been disappointed to fall behind Ferrari but their disenchantment was nothing compared to that of Red Bull as Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat finished ninth and 10th behind the pair of Toro Rossos. Once again, Red Bull’s junior team showed outstanding promise, 17-year-old Max Verstappen in particular having raced impressively during the sometimes frantic early laps.
Fernando Alonso had an encouraging first race following his accident during testing. The Spaniard had been running close to the top 10 when forced to retire with overheating, one of the many bugbears yet to be ironed out on a McLaren-Honda package that has a long way to go to even get close to those at the front. Mind you, that’s what everyone thought about Ferrari at the end of last year.
All in all, an eventful race from start to finish, and from front to back. Significantly, it has unsettled Mercedes to the point where the reigning champions must draw the fine line between confidence and complacency. It’s the wake-up call they needed before the next race in China on 12 April. How they deal with it – and whether or not Ferrari can continue this remarkable momentum – will be fascinating to see.