The build up to the 2010 Malaysian Grand Prix ended with Red Bull’s 1-2 victory. The team enjoyed a very productive weekend at Sepang and signs of the team’s pure pace was already evident with Webber’s pole and Vettel’s third place on Saturday’s qualifying.

The only competition both the Red Bulls had yesterday was with each other when Vettel managed to take over the lead from Webber at turn 1 on the opening lap. The duo then raced away leaving the rest of the pack behind. Although it was not a good day for Malaysia’s Lotus Racing with a retirement and a last place finish, the Petronas-backed Mercedes team bagged its first podium finish of the season with Nico Rosberg’s third place.

The weather was a surprise as it did not rain at all. Nevertheless it was still an interesting race with more overtaking moves compared to the season-opening Bahrain event. Among others, there was Lewis Hamilton’s charge from the back of the field and his on track squabble with Vitaly Petrov. Hamilton was also battling with Adrian Sutil at the closing stages of the race. Then there was a battle among Jenson Button, Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso. Massa managed to pass Button but Alonso failed as his car suffered from a blown engine.

Standings wise, Felipe Massa in now the leader in the Driver’s Championship with 39 points. Both Vettel and Alonso are in second and third with 37 points each. Button and Rosberg are close behind, sharing 35 points. Sixth and seventh places are filled up by Hamilton and Kubica with 31 and 30 points respectively. This means the top seven are separated by just nine points. Ferrari is still ahead with 76 points in the Constructor’s Championship. McLaren and Red Bull are behind with 66 and 61 points.

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