Sebastian Vettel defied a Red Bull team order to overtake teammate Webber, sparking controversy and taking the championship lead he held all season.
Key Facts
- Race winner
- Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
- Race length
- 56 laps
- Attendance
- 90,000 people
- Vettel career win number
- 27th career victory
- Championship round
- 2nd of 2013 Formula One season
- Hamilton gap to winner
- 12 seconds behind Vettel
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The 2013 Malaysian Grand Prix was held on a damp track following earlier rain at Sepang International Circuit. Red Bull's Vettel started from pole alongside Ferrari's Massa, with Webber moving up to second by lap two. On lap five, Vettel pitted for dry slick tyres, handing the lead to Webber, who held it as both drivers managed their tyres through a long stint.
On lap 46, Vettel ignored a direct team order from Red Bull to maintain engine performance and hold position behind Webber. He overtook his teammate and held the lead for the final nine laps to win, with Webber finishing second and Hamilton third for Mercedes. Nico Rosberg was instructed by Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn to hold fourth place behind Hamilton.
Vettel apologised to Red Bull and Webber for ignoring the team order, but Red Bull did not formally punish him after his attorneys threatened legal action, and he later recanted the apology. The victory moved Vettel into the lead of the World Drivers' Championship ahead of Räikkönen, a lead he never surrendered, and Red Bull assumed the lead of the Constructors' Championship from Ferrari.