Red Bull's Max Verstappen ended his birthday weekend in triumphant style with a dominant victory in yesterday's Malaysian Grand Prix. The Dutchman, who celebrated his 20th birthday on Saturday, crossed the line 12.7 seconds ahead of Lewis Hamilton, whose title rival Sebastian Vettel staged a remarkable recovery drive from the back of the grid to finish fourth. Daniel Ricciardo, who led Verstappen in a Red Bull one-two in Malaysia last year, was third. Vettel had started the race dead last after engine problems stopped him setting a time in Saturday's qualifying. He now trails Hamilton by 34 points in the overall standings with five of the 20 races left. The day, though, belonged to Verstappen who, having started third, seized the lead from Hamilton on the fourth of the 56 laps and never looked back. "That was absolutely on merit, flawless drive and happy birthday, mate," Verstappen's race engineer said to him over the team radio. "Super, super job Max, welcome to being a 20-year-old," his team-boss Christian Horner said.

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen celebrates on the podium after winning the Malaysian Grand Prix yesterday. Pic/Getty Images