“Still I Rise” reads the tattoo across the shoulders of Lewis Hamilton’s back. The Briton also this season has the three words included on the design of his racing helmet. As a mantra to live by, it is proving apt.
Two weeks ago, at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, Hamilton despaired as he was forced to retire his Mercedes-GP car after starting on pole position. At the Malaysian Grand Prix yesterday, he rose once again.
The 2008 world champion comfortably led from start to finish at Sepang International Circuit to claim his 23rd career victory and put behind him the disappointment over Melbourne.
Nico Rosberg, his teammate and winner at Albert Park two weeks ago, finished second to secure Mercedes their first one-two finish since 1955.
“It’s incredible. After such a difficult weekend [in Australia] and such a long winter, I just feel so grateful,” Hamilton said, before dedicating the victory to the victims of the lost Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370.
In truth, Hamilton’s dominance was such that the only time he looked taken aback was when he realised he was about to be interviewed atop the podium by Benedict Cumberbatch, the actor from the BBC Sherlock detective series.
Yet there was no investigation needed into the superiority of Hamilton, who finished more than 17 seconds before Rosberg.
The former McLaren-Mercedes driver has now taken pole at the first two races of the season as he chases a second world title and his team take the fight to Red Bull Racing, winners of the previous four constructors’ championships. The victory marked Hamilton’s first F1 win in Malaysia in eight attempts.
“I finally got that win,” he said. “The team did a fantastic job, the guys back at the factory pushing non-stop to get the car to where it is, and of course to get a one-two … it’s quite special when you get a one-two. I’ve not had many in my career and so that makes it even more special.”
Rosberg, who had looked indomitable at the season-opening race, passing Hamilton on the first turn and looking secure in the lead even before his teammate was forced to retire, conceded yesterday that in the searing heat and stifling humidity of Sepang, “Lewis was just too quick for me.”
By the end of the opening lap, Hamilton had built a gap of more than two seconds ahead of Rosberg and, as he pulled further away, it became increasingly obvious that the only person able to prevent him from taking the chequered flag was himself.
Hamilton, however, denied it was a comfortable race.
“I don’t think any race is ever easy,” he said. “Obviously, there are opportunities that are presented in front of you and you have to take them with both hands.
“That’s what I did. It was a great challenge, but one that I was able to do well because the car was spectacular.”
Sebastian Vettel, the reigning world champion, finished third to confirm Red Bull must never be discounted.
Having struggled throughout pre-season testing and failing to finish in Australia, Vettel pushed Rosberg throughout the 56-lap contest in south-east Asia to claim his first podium finish of the season.
“The last day of testing was four weeks ago and they were absolutely nowhere,” Rosberg, the championship leader, said of Red Bull.
“Now Sebastian was right in the back of me, pushing me. I still had some pace in hand, so I could beat him in the end clearly, but the way they’ve ramped up their pace is very impressive.”
Daniel Ricciardo, Vettel's teammate, endured another afternoon to forget. The Australian, having had second place at his home grand prix stripped from him for fuel-flow irregularities, had impressed again, jumping Vettel at the start and showing composure for 41 laps.
However, after pitting with 15 laps to go, he was forced to stop in the pit lane when his tyre was not properly fitted. He rejoined a lap down but retired with a broken front wing on Lap 53.
“Deep down, I’m really disappointed, but at the same time there’s a little bit in me which is happy because I think I’ve come out how I wanted to,” Ricciardo said. “For that, I’m pleased. I know a little bit of luck will turn around soon and I’ll get my revenge and get some points.”
Ricciardo will hope that, like Hamilton, he will rise again, though that might be easier said than done at Bahrain next weekend, as he has a 10-place grid penalty in relation to the unsafe release from the pit stop that wrecked his race yesterday.
gmeenaghan@thenational.ae
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