Hamilton thrilled with runner-up positionFernando Alonso took over at the top of this year's Formula One title race when he grabbed his first win for McLaren Mercedes in Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix. Alonso, starting second, took the lead at the first corner and delivered
a classic and perfectly-judged drive to a scorching victory ahead of his team-mate Lewis Hamilton.
"It is a perfect result, a dream," said Alonso. "This is such a tough race and you never know about tyres, but we were relaxed in the end. I lost radio communications from lap ten, like Kimi in Australia, so it is a lucky thing! But they fixed it and to win is absolutely fantastic and it is a wonderful surprise to achieve this after such a short time with the team. Everyone has worked so hard. So much has been done by the whole team."
Alonso led team-mate Hamilton home in a dominant one-two by McLaren as they ended a 20-race drought without a win since the 2005 Japanese Grand Prix. But Alonso himself said he felt almost dried out by the intense heat inside his cockpit.
"It was so tough, very tough. You take a drink about every six laps but after a while it is like drinking tea! It is so hot that it is hot water. And it is not fun to drink that anymore."
Hamilton followed up his third-placed finish on his debut in Australia last month by becoming the first 'rookie' driver to score successive podium finishes in his first two races since fellow Briton Peter Arundell in a Lotus in 1964.
"That was the toughest race of my life," said Hamilton afterwards. "It was so difficult, so hard to defend. I ran out of water - and now I feel overwhelmed!"
He said he felt almost over-awed by his fight to keep the two Ferrari drivers behind him during the early stages.
"To see two Ferraris in your mirrors behind you and to know they are slightly lighter and probably quicker than you - it is so difficult to hold them back," he said. "Felipe had a couple of moves to try and pass me, but, unfortunately, I was able to trick him into out-braking himself and then I was very fortunate to cut across and get in front of him again. And then he went off and I apologise for that."
"Then, Kimi was behind me for the rest of the race and I ran out of water and it was so tricky and it got hotter and hotter and I just kept pushing and concentrating on making no mistakes. The team did a fantastic job this weekend and I thank them for that - for preparing me and the car."
Raikkonen said: "Of course, I am happy with the points, but I am disappointed at how the race ended up - we just had to compromise on too many things. We lost too much speed. I hope we can turn the tables next weekend and fight to win again."
Alonso added: "It is very important for any driver to win his first race for a new team at a Grand Prix and to have wins with two different teams is something very special. It is a dream come true after my winning with Renault. I am proud for all the team."
Source AFP
