This year's Malaysian GP air temperature exceeded 30 degrees and the drinking water in the cockpits got boiled to some 60. The asphalt temperature was about 42°C and the humidity was killing. The boys from Ferrari had their embarrasing moment when Kimi ran out of fuel and had to march to the paddock on foot. However, the McLaren boys didn't stay behind, as they got penalty for blocking the track and the consequent loss of positions put Kovalainen to the fourth and Hamilton even to the fifth row.
Starting grid of the GP Malaysia:
| R.Kubica |
F.Massa |
| L.Hamilton |
K. Räikkönen |
| H.Kovalainen |
N.Heidfeld |
| J.Trulli |
N.Rosberg |
| J.Button |
F.Alonso |
| M.Webber |
R.Barrichello |
| T.Glock |
N.Piquet |
| S.Bourdais |
K.Nakadžima |
| D.Coulhartd |
G.Fisichella |
| S.Vettel |
A.Sutil |
| A.Davidson |
T.Sato |
F.Massa gets to the lead after the start, Kimi right after him. It almost appeared that boys were about to fight to the first position. Behind them there were Kubica, Kovalainen, Heidfeld, Trulli, Coulthard and others. Bourdais ends up in the gravel and retires. After the collision between Rosberg and T.Glock, Rosberg pits with his damaged front wing. Sutil is out in the grass in the lap 5, 38 laps before the end Kimi Räikkönen and Felipe Massa swap places during the pit stop. There is Jean Todt in the paddock wearing everyday clothes, an unusual sight. 32 laps to the end Kimi is already 28s ahead of his teammate. 28 laps to go Sato gets to the gravel but continues. Right after that, 28 laps to the finish, Massa overspins ending up in deep gravel, which becomes a trap that he cannot leave even with the help of marshals. The engine is on, but he is stuck like in mud. This time it is his colossal mistake and he retires. At that time Kimi laps easily on the first place. S.Vettel ends in the lap 41 with his engine burning.
The final standings - K. Räikkönen, R.Kubica - the biggest success of BMW SAUBER and Kovalainen on the third place holds the flag of McLaren.
Final classification after the second race:
| 1. |
K. Räikkönen |
19 |
| 2. |
N.Heidfled |
16 |
| 3. |
L.Hamilton |
14 |
| 4. |
R.Kubica |
14 |
| 5. |
H.Kovalainen |
14 |
| 6. |
F.Massa |
10 |
| 7. |
J.Trulli |
8 |
| 8. |
N.Rosberg |
7 |
| 9. |
F.Alonso |
6 |
| 10. |
M.Webber |
4 |
| 11. |
K.Nakajima |
3 |
| 12. |
S.Bourdais |
2 |
|
