Vettel wins fourth race in a row

SEPANG: Sebastian Vettel powered to victory in the Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday, the German registering his second pole-to-flag win in as many races to start his Formula One title defence.

McLaren`s Jenson Button drove a composed race to take second place, ahead of a spirited Nick Heidfeld, who capitalised on a brilliant start to round off the podium places in his Renault. "Fantastic job. In the heat we kept our heads cool. Thank you," Vettel told his Red Bull team over the team radio after winning his fourth race in a row. "A pleasure every weekend to be with you. I`m loving it." Vettel`s team mate Mark Webber did well to claim fourth place after a poor start as both Red Bulls ditched the KERS boost system mid-race after suffering reliability issues. The Ferraris of Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso took the next two places, with Lewis Hamilton claiming seventh in the other McLaren after he and Alonso`s challenge was compromised following a collision when they were fighting for third place late on. Sauber`s Kamui Kobayashi, Mercedes` Michael Schumacher and Force India`s Paul di Resta were the final three points scorers in a race highlighted by a flurry of pit stops but spared significant rain that was forecast for the weekend. Bureau Report