Norris Takes Back-to-Back Wins, Both MRTs and Toyotas in the Points

Qualifying:

Pos	#	Driver	Constructor	Q1	Q2	Diff.
1	88	Robert Kubica		1:16.751	1:16.245
2	39	Sho Tsuboi		1:16.581	1:16.361	+0.116
3	47	Lando Norris		1:17.144	1:17.336	+0.899
4	18	Sebastian Vettel		1:17.330	1:17.218	+0.973
5	94	Pascal Wehrlein		1:17.644	1:17.482	+1.237
6	20	Kevin Magnussen		1:17.704	1:17.531	+1.286
7	7	Charles Leclerc		1:17.816	1:17.610	+1.365
8	57	Dean Stoneman		1:17.721	1:19.755	+1.476
9	23	Jules Bianchi		1:19.582	1:17.795	+1.550
10	56	Einar Ármannsson		1:18.136	1:17.950	+1.705
11	60	Ritomo Miyata		1:18.401	1:17.983	+1.738
12	63	George Russell		1:18.187	1:18.295	+1.942
13	1	Victoria Desai		1:18.533	1:18.257	+2.012
14	55	Carlos Sainz, Jr.		1:18.755	1:18.574	+2.329
15	10	Alessio Lorandi		1:18.717	1:18.605	+2.360
16	4	Robin Frijns		1:18.755	1:18.684	+2.439
17	26	Robert Shwartzman		1:18.956	1:19.320	+2.711
18	70	Pastor Maldonado		1:19.111	1:18.999	+2.754
19	29	Roger Ibe		1:19.535	1:19.382	+2.954
20	33	Max Verstappen		1:19.537	1:19.541	+3.292
21	80	Raven Roth		1:20.305	1:19.999	+3.754
22	98	Colton Herta		1:20.077	1:20.193	+3.832
23	95	Beitske Visser		1:20.325	1:20.151	+3.906
24	81	Malik Zidan		1:20.238	1:20.156	+3.911
25	11	Terry Hawkin		1:21.958	1:21.475	+5.230
26	21	Théo Pourchaire		1:22.204	1:22.285	+5.959

Report:

Regrettably, after five exciting Grands Prix in a row, it was inevitable that a more down-to-earth race would come and it was the III Marlboro Pilipinas Grand Prix that proved to be that race. While there were some fun moments, generally speaking it was not a race for the history books.

After the two Caterhams managed to make their ways to the front, Sebastian Vettel was leading for most of the race – however, just when Lando Norris was getting closer, a loose wheel ended Vettel’s afternoon and reduced his championship lead to seven points.

Behind winner Lando Norris, Jules Bianchi fought his way past the two ROOKIE Racing cars to earn his first points since April with a second place. Despite Tsuboi’s third place, MRT is now 20 points ahead of ROOKIE Racing in the constructors championship.

This was helped by MRT getting both cars into the points for the first time since the Bahrain Grand Prix. Another team not experiencing major issues was Toyota, both Kevin Magnussen and Pascal Wehrlein got points – in Toyota’s case, it’s the first time since the season opener.

Race:

Pos	#	Driver	Constructor	Time/Retired	Grid	Points
1	47	Lando Norris		58:03.493	3	10
2	23	Jules Bianchi		+22.257	9	8
3	39	Sho Tsuboi		+37.678	2	6
4	56	Einar Ármannsson		+40.300	10	5
5	1	Victoria Desai		+50.435	13	4
6	94	Pascal Wehrlein		1 Lap	5	3
7	20	Kevin Magnussen		1 Lap	6	2
8	57	Dean Stoneman		1 Lap	8	1
9	7	Charles Leclerc		1 Lap	7
10	33	Max Verstappen		1 Lap	20
11	26	Robert Shwartzman		1 Lap	17
12	70	Pastor Maldonado		1 Lap	18
13	29	Roger Ibe		1 Lap	19
14	63	George Russell		1 Lap	12
15	98	Colton Herta		1 Lap	22
16	95	Beitske Visser		1 Lap	23
17	55	Carlos Sainz, Jr.		1 Lap	14
18	11	Terry Hawkin		2 Laps	25
19	21	Théo Pourchaire		2 Laps	26
20	81	Malik Zidan		Motor	24
Ret	4	Robin Frijns		Transmission	14
Ret	18	Sebastian Vettel		Loose Wheel	4
Ret	88	Robert Kubica		Motor	1	1
Ret	10	Alessio Lorandi		Motor	15
Ret	60	Ritomo Miyata		Transmission	11
Ret	80	Raven Roth		Motor	21

Fastest Lap:

Sebastian Vettel – 1:19.219

Infinite Improbability Drive Of The Race:

Théo Pourchaire – while you could argue the point of unlapping yourself against strong opposition, it was quite fun to watch.

Reject Of The Race:

Loonmotor-Judd – the positive momentum of the last race was nowhere to be found here.