Race Report
Malaysian GP
Jenson Button has won the Malaysian GP for Brawn GP making it two in a row for the team, and to add to their delight Rubens Barrichello brought his car home in 5th place. The race was dramatically red flagged and abandoned due to torrential rain with the result being cut at lap 31 and half points awarded. The start saw Nico Rosberg snatch the lead from Trulli, Alonso and Button with Barrichello 4th. Kovalainen went out on the opening lap and Kubica limped off the grid very slowly retiring on lap 2. Rosberg led until lap 15, making his first stop and rejoining in 4th place. Jarno Trulli then led from an ever more determined Button who took the lead when the Toyota pitted on lap 17. Button then upped his pace considerably putting in two cracking laps before pitting on lap 19, returning to the track comfortably in front. On lap 21 the order at the front was Button, Rosberg, Trulli, Barrichello, Alonso and Hamilton, but by now rain was clearly imminent. Raikkonen had pitted on lap 18 and wets were fitted but this decision was too early and he struggled for pace. Glock meanwhile had pitted for inters and was speeding through the field going from 8th on lap 25 to 2nd on lap 28 as conditions deteriorated further. At half distance the order was Button, Glock, Webber, Heidfeld and Barrichello. Race leader Button pitted for inters on lap 29 followed by Glock for full wets on lap 30. Button was back for full wets on lap 31 as pandemonium broke out in the pit lane with the teams scrambling to fit wets. By now the conditions were almost undriveable with torrential rain and very poor light, and on lap 31 the race was red flagged and the safety Car deployed. The cars reformed on the grid, but as the 2 hour race deadline approached it was announced that the race would be abandoned and half points awarded. So the dream start to the 2009 season for Jenson Button and the Brawn GP team continues, next stop China.
