Three-time defending Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel held off Red Bull teammate Mark Webber in a scintillating battle to win Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday.

Vettel, who earlier in the race complained to the team about Webber's slow pace, battled the Australian for much of the day, with the cars almost touching as the German grabbed the lead on the 46th lap for his 27th victory. The surprising run of Mercedes continued, with 2008 champion Lewis Hamilton coming in third ahead of teammate Nico Rosberg.

It was a disastrous day for Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, who crashed out of the race on the second lap after damaging his front wing when he bumped Vettel a lap earlier.