F1: Alonso survives all to clinch Malaysian GP

Ferrari driver emerges from chaos to finish first ahead of Sauber’s Perez.

SEPANG: Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso won the rain-interrupted Malaysian Grand Prix in thrilling style to claim his first victory in eight months and throw the early title race wide open.

Alonso survived a lengthy rain suspension, a rash of spins and mishaps and a strong challenge from Sauber’s Sergio Perez to finish the year’s second race ahead of the Mexican driver, with McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton third.

Spain’s Alonso, a two-time world champion, was nobody’s pre-race favourite in the clunky F2012, but he emerged from the chaos caused by torrential rains at the head of the pack and doggedly clung on for victory.

“It’s an unbelievable result and a great job from the team,” said Alonso. “We maximised the potential we had in our hands. It’s a tough time for us at the moment but we will remember this Sunday.”

Perez pushed hard for his first win and looked set to steal victory from Alonso until he dramatically overshot a turn on lap 50.

But he still managed seal his maiden trip to the podium — and Sauber’s best result since they reverted to the ownership of their founder, Peter Sauber, in 2009.

“I wanted the win and I thought it was possible,” smiled the Mexican, who is rumoured to be in Ferrari’s sights to replace the struggling Felipe Massa. “It never happened but I’m very happy and proud with second place.”

Red Bull’s Mark Webber was fourth with former world champion Kimi Raikkonen fifth for Lotus. German
great Michael Schumacher, who started third on the grid, span early in the race and finished 10th.

But there were no points for McLaren’s Jenson Button, who won last week’s season-opener in Australia, after he collided with India’s Narain Karthikeyan and dropped to the back of the pack, finally coming in 14th.

Red Bull’s reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel also endured a torrid day as a spectacular rear tyre blow-out left him in 11th.

Alonso hails tough win

The Ferrari driver called the result ‘unbelievable’. “It’s a big surprise today. I think we weren’t competitive in Australia, we were not competitive here and our goal for the first races was to score as many as possible – but we leave with 25 points. So it’s an unbelievable result.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 26^th, 2012.