Sebastian Vettel's 2015 Malaysian GP win ended Ferrari's near two-year victory drought and marked the first win by a German Ferrari driver since Schumacher in 2006.
Key Facts
- Race winner
- Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)
- Vettel career victories
- 40th victory of his career
- Hamilton career poles
- 40th pole position of his career
- Ferrari's last win before this
- 2013 Spanish Grand Prix
- Championship running (drivers)
- Hamilton led Rosberg by 7 points entering race
- Event edition
- 17th Malaysian GP as World Championship event
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Heading into the 2015 Malaysian Grand Prix, Mercedes held a dominant position in both championships, with Lewis Hamilton leading Nico Rosberg by seven points and the team holding a 28-point advantage over Ferrari in the Constructors' standings. Hamilton took pole in a rain-affected qualifying session, starting as the favourite.
The race at Sepang International Circuit on 29 March 2015 saw Sebastian Vettel start from second on the grid and overtake to win ahead of Hamilton. It was Ferrari's first victory since the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix and the first win by a German Ferrari driver since Michael Schumacher at the 2006 Chinese Grand Prix.
Vettel's victory signalled a renewed competitive threat from Ferrari to Mercedes' dominance, narrowing the constructors' gap. It also marked the first time since the 2006 United States Grand Prix that neither McLaren was classified, reflecting McLaren's difficult start to the season with its new Honda power unit partnership.