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Lewis Hamilton wins Malaysian GP, gets interviewed by Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch

Curiously, Benedict Cumberbatch conducted the post-race winner interviews on the podium following Hamilton’s victory

Tomas Jivanda
Monday 31 March 2014 07:10 BST
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Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch interviews Lewis Hamilton on the podium following the Mercedes driver's Malaysian GP victory
Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch interviews Lewis Hamilton on the podium following the Mercedes driver's Malaysian GP victory

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Lewis Hamilton led from pole position to win his first Malaysian Grand Prix, in a race which saw his Mercedes team mate take second place.

After equaling Jim Clarke’s British record of 33 poles, Hamilton comfortably took the victory with a 17.3 second lead over Nico Rosberg in the incident free race.

In a rather bizarre sight, the British driver was then interviewed on the podium by Sherlock and Hollywood actor Benedict Cumberbatch, who had been seen trackside at the Sepang International Circuit throughout the weekend.

“Incredibly happy, my first win here in my eighth year, so finally got that,” Hamilton said. “To get a one-two is quite special, I haven't had many in my career.”

He was also quick to mention the ill-fated Malaysian Airlines flight MH370, which took off from the Kuala Lumpur airport adjacent to the Sepang track earlier this month and is thought to have crashed, killing all 239 people aboard.

“After such a tragedy three weeks ago, I would like to dedicate this win to those people and their families,” he said.

Victories had been eluding Hamilton, who took his first and only F1 World Championship in 2008. Last season, his first with Mercedes, the Brit managed just one win.

Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel, who has been crowned world champion in the last four seasons, placed third in Sunday’s race

Also speaking to Mr Cumberbatch, he said: “I thought I had a good start and tried to get into the tow of Lewis to attack him at the first corner, but Nico was on my right so I lost a place.”

“At times it looked like we (he and Rosberg) were evenly matched at times in the race, but then he found another gear and he pulled away.

“In the end these guys (Mercedes) are quick.”

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