Fisichella Wins in Renault one-two


Giancarlo Fisichella put his head down and dragged team-mate Fernando Alonso across the finish line and onto the podium for a Renault 1-2 in the 8th Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang. Jeson Button powered his Honda to third ahead of pre-race favourite, Kimi Raikkonen.


Fisichella got off to a storming start from pole with Button holding onto second as they rounded the first corner while Alonso took advantage of a tussle between Webber and Nico Rosberg to going around the outside and into third.


As traffic loosened up, Kelin nudged Raikkonen from behind and into the tyres, but Klein came off worse as he spent 7 laps in the pits getting his suspension fixed. So as the race opened up, Fisichella lead from button, Alonso, Webber, Montoya, Rosberg and Heidfeld. However, Rosberg’s fairytale came crashing to an end when he blew up his Cosworth V8 on lap 6.


Michael Schumacher showed why he’s the greatest, if fleetingly, as he masterfully drew in and overtook Villeneuve and Jarno Trulli – both on the inside of turn 1 on laps 13 & 14.
The Williams Team were devastated to see Mark Webber pull over on lap 16 as they were hoping to pick up some big points at Sepang.


First Pit Stop

Fisichella and Button went in on laps 18 & 19; Montoya and Schuey on 24, while Alonso waited until lap 26. As they re-entered the frey, Fisichella again lead ahead of Button, Alonso, montoya, Heidfeld and the Ferrari of Schumacher.


Second Pit Stop
Nothing drastic happened for a dozen or so laps until Fisichella again pitted on lap 38, followed in by Button. This gave Alonso about 5 laps of freedom which allowed him to take Button. High drama when Schuey came back out right behind teammate Felipe Massa. Team orders? None apparently, they were allowed to race.


Giancarlo Fisichella finished the race with plenty to spare, ahead of Alonso and Button while Montoya’s McLaren scrambled for an uninspired fourth. Massa’s Ferrari came in 5th ahead of michael Schumacher.


Villeneuve earned BMW their first points in 7th with Ralf Schumacher getting the final points for Toyota.


Not, to my mind the most inspired race I’ve ever seen, but sets us up nicely for Australia on April 2nd.


The Tables

2006 Drivers’ Championship

2006 Constructors' Championship