UpdateF1 >> Formula 1 News > Race: Alonso unbeatable

Spaniard victorious at Sepang

Fernando Alonso claimed his second career victory and Renault’s second in succession at Sepang on Sunday afternoon.

The Spaniard put on a dominant display to win the Malaysian Grand Prix from pole position.

The result marked an impressive run of form for Renault who have now secured two pole positions and two wins from two races this season.

Following up Alonso, some 24 seconds behind, was Jarno Trulli who scored Toyota’s first ever podium finish, which he dedicated to his best friend who passed away earlier this weekend.

The Italian did however manage to clear his head and focus on the race, putting pressure on his Renault rival for the opening two stints of the race. In the end he did have the speed required to battle for the win.

Second place was a nonetheless impressive result for the mega-rich Japanese squad who, even two weeks ago, looked a world away from F1 success.

Following up in third position was Williams Nick Heidfeld who claimed his first podium finish since the 2001 Brazilian Grand Prix.

The German drove a solid race to move up from 10th on the grid, aided by the high-level retirements of his team-mate Mark Webber and Renault’s Giancarlo Fisichella.

In a fierce battle for third place, Fisichella, who seemed to be having problems with his car, collided with Webber - an action which cost the Renault driver the lead in the championship.

McLaren’s Juan Pablo Montoya yet again drove an anonymous race but managed to finish fourth ahead of Ralf Schumacher.

The German rounded out a double points finish for Toyota, but could have done better if he hadn't hit Webbers Williams while trying to overtake the Australian.

Red Bull Racing also had a double points finish with David Coulthard and Christian Klien finishing sixth and eighth respectively.

In between the British-based racers was Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher who struggled in the Malaysian heat.

Once again the F2004M was no match for their rivals new cars, therefor feeding rumours of an early Bahrain debut for the new car.

RACE SHORTS

* Looking for a chequered flag. Mark Webber arrived in Malaysia looking to finish after failing to manage the feat in his first three attempts.

Midway through the race the Williams ace looked on for a podium finish but a tangle with Renault’s Giancarlo Fisichella saw him make another early exit.

The incident occurred when Webber attempted to pass Fisichella around the outside heading into the final turn but the Italian locked his brakes and took out both drivers.

* Worn out. The first causality of Formula One’s new long-life tyres was Ferrari’s Rubens Barrichello.

The Scuderia’s Bridgestone rubber struggled to adapt to the soaring temperatures at Sepang and Barrichello was forced to retire with excessive wear six laps from the end of the race.

McLaren’s Kimi Raikkonen suffered a left-rear puncture but he stopped for a replacement and was able to continue.

* Smoking. Honda have a few questions to answer after both BARs retired in the opening laps of the race.

Jenson Button was first to go on the first flying lap before Anthony Davidson followed suit just one circuit later.

Both Britons stormed back to the garage demanding answers to why their engines only lasted two laps.

* Tough start. Christijan Albers’ tough start to his Formula One career continued in Malaysia.

After being comfortably beaten by his young team-mate Patrick Friesacher in qualifying, Albers was lapped twice during the race by Narain Karthikeyan’s Jordan.

On a positive note, the Dutchman did manage to finish the race despite the difficulties of his Minardi.

Written: Sun, 20 Mar 2005 08:38:02