Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel won the Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday to end Mercedes’ long Formula One winning streak and make the 2015 season look like a genuine contest between the two teams.
Vettel elected not to pit during an earlier safety-car period, while second-placed Lewis Hamilton and third-placed Nico Rosberg did pit in their Mercedes cars, and the clear air at the front of the field enabled Vettel to win by 8.5 seconds at the Sepang International Circuit.
Mercedes had won the previous eight races dating back to last season and had been expected to dominate through 2015, but in just the second race of this season, Vettel’s win indicated a potential fight for the championship ahead.
It was Ferrari’s first victory since the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix.
