Course length 5.543 km (3.444 mi) | ||
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Date 2 October 2016 (2016-10-02) Official name 2016 Formula 1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix Location Sepang International Circuit, Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia Course Permanent racing facility Distance 56 laps, 310.408 km (192.879 mi) | ||
The 2016 Malaysian Grand Prix (formally known as the 2016 Formula 1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix) was a Formula One motor race that was held on 2 October 2016 at the Sepang International Circuit in Selangor, Malaysia. The race marked the thirty-fifth running of the Malaysian Grand Prix, and the eighteenth time that the race has been run as a World Championship event since the championship's inception in 1950.
Contents
Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg entered the race leading the World Drivers' Championship by eight points, having reclaimed the championship lead from team-mate Lewis Hamilton at the previous race in Singapore. Mercedes lead Red Bull-TAG Heuer in the World Constructors' Championship by 220 points.
Daniel Ricciardo won the race, with team-mate Max Verstappen finishing second to secure Red Bull Racing's first one–two finish since the introduction of hybrid engines in 2014. Nico Rosberg completed the podium, extending his championship lead to twenty-three points following the retirement of Lewis Hamilton.
Background
The race was moved from its March date to October to allow organisers the opportunity to upgrade the circuit. The circuit was resurfaced, while drainage was improved to decrease the possibility of standing water from forming on the circuit. Nine corners were re-profiled, introducing negative camber to emphasise mechanical, rather than aerodynamic grip, and the drop at the apex of turn two removed.
Post-race
Nine Australian men, subsequently dubbed the 'Budgie Nine' by Australian media, were arrested for intentional insult and public indecency after celebrating Australia's win by stripping to their 'budgie smuggler' swimming trunks, decorated with the Malaysian flag, and drinking beer from their shoes. Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo said that the nine hadn't realized the effect their actions would have, and called for them to be released. After three days in custody the nine were charged with the lesser offence of public nuisance and released. The briefs had been made in Australia, not Malaysia.
Race
At the start, Sebastian Vettel collided with Nico Rosberg going into turn one, causing Rosberg to go into a spin and Vettel getting suspension damage, and later retiring. On lap 7, Romain Grosjean spun into the gravel trap, prematurely ending his race. Later on lap 40, Lewis Hamilton's engine caught fire forcing Hamilton to retire. Esteban Gutierrez also retired when his front-left wheel came off the car in the latter stages of the race. Daniel Ricciardo won the race. It was the fourth win of his F1 career. Max Verstappen finished second, giving Red Bull Racing their first one-two since Brazil in 2013. For the next race in Japan, Vettel was handed a three-place grid penalty for causing the collision with Rosberg.
Qualifying
Notes: