(Reporting from Sepang) Brawn GP's second win

Brawn GP's Jenson Button continued his perfect start to the 2009 Formula One season as he took his second successive Grand Prix victory today, when the Malaysian Grand Prix was stopped after 31 laps following a torrential downpour.

Team-mate Rubens Barrichello also had a strong race to bring his Brawn-Mercedes car home in fifth position.

Jenson had a good start from pole, but was unable to prevent the cars on the other side of the grid from overtaking down into the first corner and was running third by the end of lap one. However, he took full advantage of his heavier fuel load to put in some quick laps when the cars ahead pitted - and took the lead on emerging from his first pit stop on lap 19.

Rubens, on another note, had a good start from eighth on the grid. He battled through to make up six places and to be running in second position by his first stop on lap 20.

The race became increasingly hectic when the weather took a sudden turn. Jenson and Rubens pitted on lap 22 for wet tyres, but the downpour was less than expected and they came back in for intermediates - on lap 28 for Rubens, and lap 29 for Jenson.

When the rain did arrive, it was so torrential that the wet weather tyres which the drivers fitted on lap 31 were not enough to allow the race to safely continue. After a lengthy delay on the grid, the race was declared over.

"I didn't have the best of starts and was surprised at the lack of grip on my side of the grid," said Jenson. "I was happy with the car and our pace was good, but the weather really threw the race wide open. Choosing the tyres was difficult but we made the right calls at the right time, particularly when it started raining so hard and so quickly."

Rubens was equally happy with the team's overall performance. "After a good start, I felt that I had the pace to catch up with the front-runners and score some good points. Unfortunately once the conditions started to deteriorate, we lost a little too much time on my side of the garage with the pit stops which cost me a few places. However the important thing is that the car is going great - and we have proved that it is competitive at different types of track."

After two rounds, Brawn GP lead the Constructors' Championship with 25 points and Jenson leads the Drivers' Championship with 15 points. Rubens is in second position with 10 points.


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Jenson Button getting his tyres changed before the rain comes down hard

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Rubens Barrichello going strong despite the [I]heavier-than-expected[/I] downpour

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Teams taking the chance when the race came to an abrupt stop


[I](Oneshift.com would like to thank Malaysian Tourism & Promotions Board for kindly sponsoring this trip)[/I]

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