Jenson Button continued Brawn GP’s sensational start to 2009 by winning in Malaysia after a Biblical downpour forced the race to be abandoned after 31 of the 56 laps.
Officials initially hoped the race could be resumed but continuing rain, the volume of standing water and the fading daylight made that impossible.
With the official clock and timekeeping system continuing to run, the race ultimately hit its two-hour cut-off point and the result was declared – albeit with half-points being awarded to the top eight.
Button had slipped from pole position to third on the opening lap, but regained the lead with two stunning laps prior to his first pit stop.
Timo Glock was lying second at the time the red flag was shown, but the result was based on the last full lap of green-flag racing and he was shuffled back to third behind German compatriot Nick Heidfeld.
Glock had carved his way up the order thanks to a tactical masterstroke from Toyota, which put him on intermediate tyres in the earlier damp conditions when everyone else opted for full-wets.
Heidfeld’s progress was typically stealthily. The BMW veteran, who started 10th and heavily laden with fuel, profited from making a single pit stop for wet tyres compared to at least three for all his rivals.
Jarno Trulli finished fourth to complete a fine day for Toyota, while Rubens Barrichello made it an even better one for Brawn GP with fifth place.
Red Bull’s Mark Webber emerged with sixth ahead of Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) and Nico Rosberg (Williams).
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