Darth Vader's team showed that they were finally ready after several years to make a run at both titles by having a 1-2 finish (it's been over a year since I last wrote that). Fernando Alonso turned his second place qualifying intoto his first win with his new team and was more or less untouchable in the heat of Malaysia. With rookie sensation Lewis Hamilton finishing second, Ron Dennis couldn't have been happier. However, the Englishman still had the frumpy look on his face similar to someone whose cat left a steaming turd in his morning oatmeal. Smile damn it, you won!!!
McLaren's success this weekend came at Ferrari's expense. Filipe Massa tried to fill the shoes of the great red hope, but the Brazilian was caught napping on the start and it just turned from bad to worse after that. Unable to capitalize on his first pole of the season, he seemed as if he was struggling just to keep up. Making the same error at the same corner two laps in a row has got to be causing a stir in the Italian press that should make some interesting reading during your next cappuccino. His fifth place finish was highly disappointing for the Scuderia.
Jean Todt and Filipe Massa
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Kimi Raikkonen didn't drive a spectacular race, either. The flying Finn appeared to have been held up by his team mate during the early portions of the race, but did try to make it interesting in his challenge of Lewis Hamilton in the closing stages. It was good enough for a podium finish, but not the step that he wanted to be on. During the podium ceremonies, I could have sworn that he was motioning for a beer. Glad to see Ferrari added some color to the circus this year. Still not sure of what to make of his tattoo.
Nick Heidfeld caused some down the pit lane to scratch their head as to the success of the old Sauber team. Everyone knows BMW is fully funding the outfit for success, but it is still too soon to tell if they will be in the fight this year. It was a good outing for the team.
Mika Salo, Kimi Raikkonen and Toni Vilander
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Giancarlo Fisichella finished the race in sixth place in the Renault. His team mate captured the last point by finishing eighth. There's a sweaty Italian that will probably get sweatier over the season trying to bring back the edge to the French team. Assuming a supermodel doesn't get in the way...
Felipe Massa
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The other two points that were up for grab this weekend went to Jarno Trulli driving the Toyota. I would hate to be the unlucky accountant that has to figure out what their average yen per championship point expenditure is. But when you're sitting on billions in cash, you've got to spend it somewhere.
Alexander Wurz tried to salvage the weekend for Sir Frank and finished on the same lap as the leaders. But it has been an ugly slide since they were running with Renault power in the mid-90's. Mark Webber was the last driver on the lead lap in tenth which was a good result for a mid field team. The Red Bull guys are still praying for rain at every race.
Ferrari garage
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If it wasn't for the disappointment that Ferrari caused at the circuit this weekend, surely all eyes would have been focused on Honda. The other Japanese team had an appalling weekend with both cars finishing a lap back. The drivers were blaming the car, the team stayed quiet. Translation: the drivers need to be looking for other rides in 2008.
Bahrain is the next race on the calendar before the teams get their new chassis for the start of the European season. Ferrari is looking for that last bit of speed based on what they know. McLaren is hoping that the speed they have is real.
Kimi Raikkonen
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And Honda is digging through their old emails seeing if they have Ross Brawn's home phone number...
Race Results
