Webber sees red after Vettel victory

Controversy mars Germans Sepang win

Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel won a controversial Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday after defying orders to back off and let Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber take the chequered flag ahead of him.

The German’s 27th victory, from pole and equalling the tally of triple champion Jackie Stewart in the all-time lists, was full of bad blood on an action-packed afternoon that started with a rainstorm and ended in recrimination and dark scowls on the podium.
“This is not a victory that I'm very proud of because it should have been Mark's,” the chastened German, who took the lead after the team had asked both drivers to turn down the engine and look after the tyres, conceded after spraying champagne in muted podium celebrations.

The Mercedes duo of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg finished third and fourth, crossing the line in close formation 12 seconds behind Vettel after obeying orders from their pitwall to hold station.

Unlike compatriot Vettel, Rosberg did as he was told despite telling the team repeatedly that he was quicker and should be allowed past Hamilton.

“If I'm honest I really feel Nico should be standing here,” said Hamilton after his first podium with Mercedes since he moved from McLaren. “I can't say it's the best feeling being up here (on the podium) but racing is racing.”

Last year's winner Fernando Alonso crashed out on the second lap after he hit the rear of Vettel's Red Bull and damaged his front wing, which broke off and became wedged under the Ferrari's chassis.

Vettel's first win of the season sent him top of the standings with 40 points to Kimi Raikkonen's 31. Webber is third overall on 26.

“The overriding emotion is that we scored 43 points, a maximum score, and a fantastic performance by the team and the car today and against a backdrop of tyres that we didn't think would go more than five or six laps,” said Red Bull principal Christian Horner.

“We told the drivers to maintain position to the end of the race, look after the tyres. The biggest fear was running out of tyres. Sebastian took it into his own hands to (overtake)...he wanted to win that race.

“We know there is a bit of history between them... We will sit down and talk about internally.”

The two Red Bulls fought a thrilling battle with Vettel's frustration becoming increasingly apparent while Webber kept him covered defensively.

“Mark is too slow, get him out of the way,” the German told the team over the radio at one point. “I did a mistake, I'm not proud I did it,” Vettel, given the cold shoulder by Webber before they went on the podium, told reporters later.

Webber made his anger evident. “In the end we got the right strategy and after the last stop, the team told me to turn the engine down.”

“Seb made his own decisions and will have protection as usual. I turned my engine down and as we know he's a quick pedaller.”

Force India disappoint

It was a forgettable race for Sahara Force India as Adrian Sutil and Paul di Resta failed to complete the race due to wheel nut problems. The poor qualifying spilled to the race day as Sutil was in the race for 27 laps while di Resta retired after 22 laps.