Sebastian Vettel closed out his maiden Ferrari win as the 2015 Formula One season took a huge early twist at the Malaysia Grand Prix.
The Mercedes of Nico Rosberg and world champion Lewis Hamilton have been tipped to dominate the field once again this year after a procession in 2014, but Ferrari's improvement over the close-season bore fruit in Sepang.
Vettel sprung clear of second-placed Hamilton, who vented fury at his team for their tyre choices during the race.
Victory was Ferrari's first since the 2013 Spanish Grand Prix, with Vettel returning to a vintage not seen since that season which saw him crowned world champion for the fourth time.
The German's victory was greeted by cries of "Ferrari is back!" over the team radio, and his win will catch the eye of F1 fans hoping for a competitive fight at the front of the grid.
Hamilton and Rosberg rounded off the podium, while Ferrari's fine Sunday was rounded off by Kimi Raikkonen recovering from an early puncture to gain seven places and finish fourth.
Also in the points was Toro Rosso's Max Verstappen, the Dutch teenager becoming the youngest scorer in F1 history with a seventh-placed finish.
Roberto Merhi finished the race for Manor, no mean feat given their lack of pre-season preparation, though McLaren duo Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso retired - a fact made more galling for the Spanish two-time world champion as his former drive provided a stunning win.
WHERE THE RACE WAS WON
Vettel's two-stop strategy was key as he undercut the Silver Arrows on his way to victory. Hamilton pitted for fresh tyres on lap 39, but with 17 circuits still to go, the Briton lamented a decision to go on the harder compound, leaving him with little chance to reel in the German.
OFF TO A FLYER
Pole-sitter Hamilton sped off the line, but key to the race was Vettel holding off Rosberg for second place, despite the Mercedes drawing level and taking the inside line. Raikkonen picked up a puncture which saw him complete almost an entire lap on three wheels.
HOT LAP
Rosberg spent almost the entire weekend playing second fiddle to Hamilton, but his 1:42.062 was the quickest lap of the race by over a second.
RACE TO FORGET
Red Bull have been at loggerheads with Renault all weekend, prompting their engine suppliers to suggest they could quit F1. It got worse for the four-time constructors' champions as they saw Daniil Kvyat and Daniel Ricciardo finish behind sister team Toro Rosso's Carlos Sainz and Verstappen.
RACE STAT TO REMEMBER
Ferrari's struggles in 2014 saw them fail to win an entire race. That has all changed now and Vettel's victory was their first in 34 events. The Germans triumph was his fourth in Sepang – more than any driver in history.
IN THE POINTS
1. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrrari)
2. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) +8.5s
3. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) +12.3s
4. Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) +53.8s
5. Valtteri Bottas (Williams) +70.4s
6. Felipe Massa (Williams) +73.5s
7. Max Verstapen (Toro Rosso) +97.7s
8. Carlos Sainz (Toro Rosso) +1L
9. Daniil Kvyat (Red Bull) +1L
10. Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) +1L
TITLE STANDINGS
1. Lewis Hamilton 43
2. Sebastian Vettel 40 (+3)
3. Nico Rosberg 33 (+10)
4. Felipe Massa 20 (+23)
5. Kimi Raikkonen 12 (+31)
1. Mercedes 76
2. Ferrari 52 (+24)
3. Williams 30 (+46)
4. Sauber 14 (+62)
5. Toro Rosso 12 (+64)
NEXT UP
The season now heads to Shanghai for the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai on April 12, a track which Hamilton holds the record for race wins with three.