Results from the 2006 Malaysia Grand Prix
Four teams arrived at Sepang with a realistic hope of pulling off an early season victory; Renault, Ferrari, McLaren and Honda, but it was the reigning Constructors' Champions who have so far emerged as the team to chase.
Victory this time for Giancarlo Fisichella and a stunning one-two for Renault have given them a clear early advantage just eight days into the 2006 season. Jenson Button made his intentions clear this season with a third place finish that would’ve disappointed him after losing second to the pace of Alonso’s car that outdid him in the final pit stop. But he will be ruing his poor luck after being stuck behind back markers during the crucial out laps.
The best the McLarens and Ferraris could muster was fourth and fifth to Juan Pablo Montoya and Filipe Massa, while Michael Schumacher finished sixth and poor old Kimi Raikkonen suffered severe de ja vu of the previous season, retiring on the first lap.
From pole position Fisichella lead the entire race in an uneventful strategy that saw him streak away to an 11 second advantage before his first pit stop. Jenson Button raced with one eye on his mirrors as Alonso continued to threaten in the latter stages after fighting his way up from eighth.
Michael Schumacher's race was ruined from the start after an engine change demoted him ten places to fourteenth. But the real surprise on the grid was Nico Rosberg in third place alongside Mark Webber. His race, however, was to end on lap six with a blown engine.
But the biggest loser of the day was Kimi Raikkonen who ended up in the gravel on turn four suffering a collapsed suspension. It was left to his team mate Juan Pablo Montoya, who started one place ahead of him in sixth, to salvage fourth place. The Ferrari’s of Felipe Massa and Schumacher finished sixth and seventh with the young Brazilian out-pacing the former world champion. They also benefited from the late retirement of Nick Heidfeld who was in fifth and also suffered a blown engine.
The other BMW Sauber driver Jacques Villeneuve finished seventh and Toyota driver Ralf Schumacher came through in eighth after pitting three times. His brother Michael might've pulled off a podium finish with his one-stop strategy but the fuel load was miscalculated and a late 'splash and dash' cost him several places.
After two rounds, this now leaves the Renaults with a clear lead of 28 points to Ferrari and McLaren's 15 each, and Alonso a seven point advantage over Michael Schumacher and Jenson Button who have 11 each
Results from Sepang
- Giancarlo Fisichella (Ita) Renault one hour 30 minutes 40.529 seconds
- Fernando Alonso (Spa) Renault at 4.585 seconds
- Jenson Button (GB) Honda 9.631
- Juan Pablo Montoya (Col) McLaren-Mercedes 39.351
- Felipe Massa (Brz) Ferrari 43.254
- Michael Schumacher (Ger) Ferrari 43.854
- Jacques Villeneuve (Can) BMW Sauber 1:20.400
- Ralf Schumacher (Ger) Toyota 1:21.200