Malaysian GP ends in contoversy but a podium for Lewis Hamilton

The rain, which had played its part in qualifying, held off for the most of the race itself and until the end there was a significant lack of drama. Except for Alonso proving once again how utterly stupid he can be when he continued to race with a front wing dragging on the ground, endangering himself and other drivers with the carbon fibre shrapnel being distributed on the racing line.

After the final round of pitstops Webber was in the lead having managed his tyres better than second placed Vettel. Lewis was running third though low on fuel. Team mate Nico Rosberg was behind but catching rapidly.

Team orders ensued. Vettel was told to maintain track position but disobeyed and overtook with 13 laps remaining. Rosberg was also told to remain behind Lewis although he was obviously quicker at that time. After a yelp of protest he remained in 4th place denying himself a podium finish. Twitter and the forums have been ablaze with opinions and criticisms ever since.

I think the situation is fairly clear. You either have team orders or you don't. And if you have them then they should be obeyed by the team otherwise there's just no point. Vettel must have lost a lot of respect amongst the team now and maybe some of their co-operation. What, for instance, will happen now should the situation be reversed and Webber be required to rein in to give Vettel an advantage. He'd be within his rights to say 'Bollocks'. Vettel's immaturity may have cost him more than the prestige of a dubious race win was worth.

In post race interviews he managed a rather hollow sounding apology.

There have been suggestions that he should be penalised, though how that might be achieved escapes me. He could not be fined any amount that would inconvience him in any way. Nor can points be taken away from him and given to Webber - he did not flout any FIA rules. Making him miss a race would effect the whole team in terms of the constructors championship. It's a puzzle that Christian Horner will have to solve or lose authority within the team.

The situation in the Mercedes team could not have been more different. After the race Nico Rosberg still managed to smile and said that he was content to follow orders. Lewis said that he felt Rosberg deserved to take third although the fuel shortage causing him to slow down was clearly not his fault.

The repercussions will be felt for some time to come with a number of people calling for a ban on team orders altogether. Although this would provide more competitive racing in some teams, in others notably Ferrari, the orders would simply be coded to fool the stewards. Enforcement would be impossible.

Formula One would not be the great sport that it is without the win-at-all costs attitudes of some drivers but it seems to me that Lewis Hamilton represents the best of both characteristics. He is a good sportsman in as much as he will not voluntarily take unfair advantage of his rivals but utterly ruthless in overtaking and defence of his racing line. I'd rather watch Lewis race and lose than all your winning Schumachers and Alonsos put together.