F1 notes: Rosberg fails to end Williams’ drought

  • By Chris Lines Associated Press
  • Sunday, April 5, 2009 12:09pm
  • SportsSports

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Nico Rosberg failed to end Williams’ long drought without a Formula One victory despite being the early leader Sunday at the Malaysian Grand Prix.

The nine-time constructors’ championship winners have not won a race since 2004 — a span of 74 races — while Rosberg is still searching for his first race win in his fourth season.

The German got a good jump off the line from his fourth grid spot, taking the lead into the first corner and holding it until he pitted at the end of the 15th lap. He finished eighth.

“It is a while since Williams have been out front on pure performance and I have to thank the engineers for that,” Rosberg said. “The car was going really well and I showed my ability to consistently push on each lap and open the gap to those behind me.

“Then the rain came and, unfortunately, the situation just didn’t go our way. But we got something out of the day and our car is right up there, so we will be looking to get the points we deserve next time out.”

NIGHT RACES: Malaysia will review its twilight start for next year’s Grand Prix amid concerns that bad weather could again hamper the race, which was cut short Sunday because of heavy rain and poor visibility.

“In the future, we may allocate a different time, perhaps earlier,” new Prime Minister Najib Razak told reporters. “There are also suggestions to do a night race, but we need to look at the cost.”

Mokhzani Mahathir, chairman of organizer Sepang International Circuit, said he consulted F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone after the race was abandoned and they agreed to look again at the starting time.

The race was suspended after 33 laps as a tropical storm lashed the Sepang track, making conditions impossible for drivers.

The race attracted only 80,000 spectators compared to about 120,000 last year, Mokhzani said.

KERS’ PODIUM: Nick Heidfeld’s second-place finish was a small piece of Formula One history, becoming the first podium finish for a car fitted with the KERS energy storage and power-boost system.

The technology has proved problematic for those teams which have used it this season, with Ferrari and McLaren recording dismal results with the new technology.

The German’s second place, however, had less to do with KERS than his team’s good calls on tire usage and being fueled heavily at the start of the race, meaning he only had to pit once instead of three or four times for his rivals.

KERS stores energy otherwise wasted in braking, and that energy can then be used by the driver with the push of a button to deliver a boost for a few seconds each lap.

The usefulness of the power boost was negligible on the street circuit of Australia in the season-opener, but was more apparent on the long straights of Sepang.

On one lap, Red Bull’s Mark Webber was able to overtake Renault’s Fernando Alonso, but the Spaniard hit the power boost button, re-passed the Australian on the straight, but then lost his position at the next corner.

HALF FULL OR HALF EMPTY? Sunday’s race was the fifth occasion in F1 history when only half points were awarded to drivers and teams due to the race not reaching the minimum distance for a full result under the sport’s regulations.

The last time it happened was in the 1991 Australian GP in Adelaide, when only 14 laps were completed before proceedings were halted with massive amounts of standing water on the street circuit.

The other occasions were: the Spanish GP in 1975 when the Lola of Rolf Stommelen went off the track and killed five spectators; the 1975 Austrian GP, which was rained out at mid-distance with American driver Mark Donohue dying from injuries sustained in the warm-up; and the 1984 Monaco GP, which was stopped due to rain after 31 laps.

MCLAREN MESS: McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh says he is considering his future after an embarrassing scandal over lies told to Formula One stewards that disqualified Lewis Hamilton from the Australian Grand Prix.

Whitmarsh said he regretted going on holiday right after the season-opening race at Melbourne last weekend and arriving in Malaysia too late to control the crisis. He didn’t rule out stepping down from the post he took over from Ron Dennis on March 1.

But the McLaren boss dismissed British newspaper reports that reigning world champion Hamilton may quit.

The Sunday Times newspaper reported that Hamilton was dissuaded from leaving F1 after a telephone conversation with Max Mosley, head the sport’s world governing body FIA.

“The commitment to this team has not altered,” Whitmarsh said.

Race stewards ruled Thursday that McLaren deliberately misled stewards at the Australian about an exchange of third place with Toyota’s Jarno Trulli while they were behind the safety car.

The hearing overturned the Melbourne verdict, giving third place back to Toyota’s Trulli and excluding McLaren and Hamilton from the results.

McLaren blamed Ryan for masterminding the deception. Hamilton has made an emotional apology and said he was “instructed and misled” by Ryan to withhold evidence.

However, the matter could be referred to the World Motor Sports Council, with the available penalties including suspending McLaren or Hamilton from future races or this year’s entire championship.

Associated Press writer Eileen NG contributed to this report.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Everett Silvertips defenseman Landon DuPont was named CHL Rookie of the Year at the 2025 CHL Awards in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo courtesy of Josh Kim / Canadian Hockey League)
Tips’ Landon DuPont named CHL Rookie of the Year

The 16-year-old is the first defenseman in 30 years, and first Silvertip ever, to win the award.

Stanwood sophomore Addi Anderson in The Herald's 2025 All-Area Softball Pitcher of the Year. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2025 Softball Pitcher of the Year: Addi Anderson

The Stanwood sophomore had a 1.32 ERA to lead the Spartans to a district championship.

Michael Arroyo hit a 2-run home run for the Everett AquaSox in an 11-4 loss to the Tri-City Dust Devils at Funko Field on Thursday, June 12, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Shari Sommerfeld / Everett AquaSox)
AquaSox pitching goes cold in loss to Dust Devils

Although they held a first-inning lead, the Everett AquaSox fell… Continue reading

Jackson senior and UW commit Allie Thomsen is The Herald's 2025 All-Area Softball Hitter of the Year. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2025 Softball Hitter of the Year: Allie Thomsen

The Jackson senior had a .544 batting average and 1.600 OPS while striking out just once.

Seahawks defense end Leonard Williams (99) participates in a workout at minicamp at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks bond over stories of their paths to football glory

Leonard Williams’ path to the NFL included stints of homelessness.

Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime against the Florida Panthers during Game 4 of the NHL Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (David Santiago / Tribune News Services)
Panthers blow lead, Oilers even Stanley Cup Final series

The game probably shouldn’t have gotten to this point.… Continue reading

Edmonds-Woodway senior Alex Plumis is The Herald’s 2025 Boys Soccer Offensive Player of the Year on Thursday, June 5, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2025 Boys Soccer Offensive Player of the Year: Alex Plumis

The Edmonds-Woodway senior scored 23 goals and dished nine assists.

Stanwood’s Rubi Lopez cheers after getting a base hit during the 3A District 1 championship game against Sedro-Woolley on Thursday, May 15, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Wesco all-league softball teams announced

Wesco has announced its all-league teams for boys soccer. WESCO 4A First… Continue reading

Taylor Dollard of the Everett AquaSox throws a pitch in a 5-2 victory over the Tri-City Dust Devils at Funko Field on Wednesday, June 12, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Shari Sommerfeld / Everett AquaSox)
Strong pitching anchors AquaSox, sinks Tri-City

Everett AquaSox pitching held Tri-City Dust Devils to just two… Continue reading

Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) hands off to running back Zach Charbonnet (26) during minicamp at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper, Seattle Seahawks)
Dave Boling: Sam Darnold’s first priority is the run game

For those Seattle Seahawks fans curious about the early… Continue reading

Pacers rely on unlikely heroes, take 2-1 NBA Finals lead

Indiana Pacers Coach Rick Carlisle sounds like a nature lover… Continue reading

Danny O’Neil: If you’re a Sonics fan, cackle along with me

I did not shout in excitement when Indiana’s Obi Toppin dunked home… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.