Renault F1 takes 1-2 in round 2 and rockets to championship favoritism

Jenson Button was obviously pleased to be back on the podium, “but it was the top step that we had in mind, so we are a little disappointed.”

“We want to be winning races,”said the Brit, “and today showed that we are in the fight, but there is still a lot of work to be done before we can achieve that target. Having said that, I was held up by traffic a few times, not least of all by Scott Speed before the second pitstop. Had that not happened, maybe I could have come out of the pits ahead of Alonso. Regardless of that though, we have two weeks and a test in Vallelunga to work through our issues and hopefully we can look forward to better things in Melbourne in two weeks’ time.”

Button is driving alongside a more significant driver this year with the addition of former Ferrari driver Rubens Barrichello and although it is unlikely that Baricchello will remain outside the points. “It’s certainly been an eventful weekend and it was disappointing to end it with a stop-go penalty when I was in with a chance of at least coming away with a few points. These past two races have been a bit of a learning curve but I’m sure things will pick up for the next few races and we can start to realise more of the car’s potential.”

Honda, which has a proud history in F1 and is coming to reclaim its crown in its eyes, appeared happy.

Shuhei Nakamoto is a Management Board Member of the Honda Racing F1 Team and Engineering Director of Honda Racing Development. “Aside from the problem with Rubens yesterday, which necessitated an engine change, we have been encouraged by the engine performance in the first two races,” he said. “We have two weeks to improve for the next race in Australia and will be working hard in testing and with the data we have gathered here to do our best for Melbourne.”

The Malaysian blowtorch focussed its wrath on Williams - Williams changed from BMW to Cosworth engines this year and they were very competitive at the first Grand Prix of the season. The speed was there again in Malaysia with Nico Rosberg backing up his first race fastest lap with third fastest in qualifying and a second row grid position. Rosberg looks a formidable talent and with remarkable talent and a rare understanding of racecraft for such a young head, Rosberg already looks the find of the season.

Unfortunately, both Rosberg’s third grid position and the fifth spot of teammate Australian Mark Webber were wasted before the end of the race with respectively an engines and a hydraulic system that could not withstand the Malaysian heat.

Bernard Ferguson of Cosworth said the team had known it would be tough in the hot conditions because it was the second race for the Cosworth CA2006 V8 engines in both cars. “Unfortunately Nico’s engine expired on lap 7 due to an as yet undiagnosed problem. We need to get the failed engine back to our Northampton headquarters as quickly as possible so we can analyse the failure.”

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