Sebastian Vettel stuns Mercedes in Malaysia to win maiden Ferrari grand prix and first since 2013

Sebastian Vettel stunned world champion Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes on Sunday with an audacious Malaysian Grand Prix victory which ignited the Formula One season.

The Ferrari driver took advantage of an early safety car as he hit the front and held off Hamilton and Nico Rosberg after pitting only twice, compared to three for the Mercedes pair.

The four-time world champion has now racked up 40 career wins but it is his first with Ferrari, breaking a dry spell which stretches back to his last race with Red Bull in 2013.

Few of the German’s victories can have been as telling or as satisfying as Sunday’s, since he shattered assumptions of Mercedes’ unassailable superiority in 2015.

“Fantastico, fantastico!” he screamed down the team radio in Italian. “Yes boys, can you hear me? Thank you, thank you. Forza Ferrari!”

Further back, there were also celebrations for Max Verstappen as the 17-year-old finished seventh, becoming the youngest points-scorer in Formula One history.

RESULTS FROM THE MALAYSIAN GRAND PRIX

1. Sebastian Vettel (Germany) Ferrari 1:41:05.793

2. Lewis Hamilton (Britain) Mercedes +00:08.569

3. Nico Rosberg (Germany) Mercedes 00:12.310

4. Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) Ferrari 00:53.822

5. Valtteri Bottas (Finland) Williams-Mercedes 01:10.409

6. Felipe Massa (Brazil) Williams-Mercedes 01:13.586

7. Max Verstappen (Netherlands) Toro Rosso — Renault 01:39.085

8. Carlos Sainz Jr (Spain) Toro Rosso — Renault 1 lap

9. Daniil Kvyat (Russia) RedBull — Renault 1 lap

10. Daniel Ricciardo (Australia) RedBull — Renault 1 lap

11. Romain Grosjean (France) Lotus — Mercedes 1 lap

12. Felipe Nasr (Brazil) Sauber — Ferrari 1 lap

13. Sergio Perez (Mexico) Force India — Mercedes 1 lap

14. Nico Huelkenberg (Germany) Force India — Mercedes 1 lap

15. Roberto Merhi (Spain) Marussia — Ferrari 3 laps

r. Pastor Maldonado (Venezuela) Lotus — Mercedes 9 laps

r. Jenson Button (Britain) McLaren 15 laps

r. Fernando Alonso (Spain) McLaren 35 laps

r. Marcus Ericsson (Sweden) Sauber — Ferrari 53 laps

(rank: r = retired, nc = not classified)

Fastest Lap: Nico Rosberg, 1:42.062, lap 43.

THE BIO:

Sabri Razouk, 74

Athlete and fitness trainer

Married, father of six

Favourite exercise: Bench press

Must-eat weekly meal: Steak with beans, carrots, broccoli, crust and corn

Power drink: A glass of yoghurt

Role model: Any good man

ESSENTIALS

The flights

Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Rio de Janeiro from Dh7,000 return including taxes. Avianca fliles from Rio to Cusco via Lima from $399 (Dhxx) return including taxes.

The trip

From US$1,830 per deluxe cabin, twin share, for the one-night Spirit of the Water itinerary and US$4,630 per deluxe cabin for the Peruvian Highlands itinerary, inclusive of meals, and beverages. Surcharges apply for some excursions.

The biog

Hobby: Playing piano and drawing patterns

Best book: Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins

Food of choice: Sushi

Favourite colour: Orange

How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE

When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.

How it works

Booklava works on a subscription model. On signing up you receive a free book as part of a 30-day-trial period, after which you pay US$9.99 (Dh36.70) per month to gain access to a library of books and discounts of up to 30 per cent on selected titles. You can cancel your subscription at any time. For more details go to www.booklava.com

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

Quick facts on cancer

Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide, after cardiovascular diseases
About one in five men and one in six women will develop cancer in their lifetime
By 2040, global cancer cases are on track to reach 30 million
70 per cent of cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries
This rate is expected to increase to 75 per cent by 2030
At least one third of common cancers are preventable
Genetic mutations play a role in 5 per cent to 10 per cent of cancers
Up to 3.7 million lives could be saved annually by implementing the right health
strategies
The total annual economic cost of cancer is $1.16 trillion