Hamilton runs dry - Kimi on top as Lewis is out of luck and water

He finished the Malaysian Grand Prix in fifth, his McLaren totally outperformed by Kimi Raikkonen, whose crushing win revived Ferrari after the difficulties of the opening race in Melbourne.

Easy does it: Raikkonen gained a smooth victory in the Malaysian Grand Prix

While the Finn was cruising at the front, the drama was revolving around Hamilton in an otherwise sleep-inducing race. A £1,000 titanium wheel nut played the starring role.

Hamilton was parked up for nearly 20 seconds during his first refuel, with his mechanics scurrying around the front, right wheel.

When the lollipop was finally lifted he returned in midfield, delayed by Mark Webber's Red Bull. Without rain, a top-three finish was suddenly beyond reach.

What was going through his mind? 'I could do with a beer!' he joked, afterwards. Actually, he would happily have knocked back any liquid refreshment in the furnace heat of the cockpit.

"I didn't have any water all race," he revealed. "But the great thing is my fitness. Physically, I felt fine and was able to push all race. I feel better than last year."

His dispiriting experience started long before the water torture, as he was penalised for impeding Nick Heidfeld's BMW in qualifying. He was duly sent back five slots on the grid.

It meant starting ninth, a place behind team-mate Heikki Kovalainen, who was punished for the same offence. His start was vintage Hamilton, moving up to fifth by Turn 4 through a combination of daring and race craft. It put him ahead of the other McLaren, with the Ferraris out on their own.

Felipe Massa, who started on pole, kept his nose ahead until the first round of pit stops. Then Raikkonen put in one super-fast lap to come out in front.

A one-two looked assured, only for Massa to spin off on lap 31 when he clipped the kerb and lost control entering the next corner. Only two races in and questions are already being asked about his future at Ferrari.

The doubters wonder whether he can handle the car now driver aids have been removed. Raikkonen proved he can, despite a scratchy performance which brought him eighth place in Melbourne.

"We've had a very complicated start to the season, but I have certainly not lost faith in the team. We can still do better," said the world champion.

In a reversal of fortunes from Melbourne, McLaren are left to find the answers, despite Kovalainen taking third place behind Robert Kubica's BMW.

Hamilton, who was harrying Jarno Trulli's Toyota in the closing stages, was trying to be positive. Still leading the standings by three points, he said: "It was difficult weekend. So so. Comme ci, comme ca.

"We can improve but look forward to the next race still leading. We still got four points and that is key. I did the best job I could. At least the reliability of the car was great and we had good pace.

"We have to make sure we get the guns working next time and do a better job in qualifying. We can bounce back."

He must hope that McLaren can recapture their form at Bahrain in a fortnight.

Whatever happens there, Raikkonen's success yesterday underlines how the title race is likely to come down to a straight fight between him and Hamilton. Hamilton's fellow Briton, Jenson Button, could be pleased with his relative progress after 12 months of abject misery. He finished 10th, a place behind Red Bull's Scot, David Coulthard.

The last word should go to Raikkonen, who enjoyed the 'perfect weekend'.

"I had a small issue on the podium," he admitted. "I should have put the champagne in the mouth not in the eye. Things go wrong sometimes."

For him, it was the only blip of the day.