Malaysian GP 2009: Last time half points in Formula 1

Today in Formula 1, exactly twelve years ago, half points were handed out for the last time during a Grand Prix. The eventual winner was Jenson Button, who won for the second time in a row with Brawn GP. But how did this win come about?

The Malaysian Grand Prix was known for change of weather out of nowhere. In 2009, the showers had been hanging around the circuit for a long time, it was just a question of when the rain would actually come. After starting in dry weather, the rain finally fell from the sky on lap 19.

Many drivers were looking for grip and for the right moment to change to wet weather tyres. Big names like Sebastian Vettel and Sebastien Buemi couldn't keep their car on the track, despite already being on rain tyres. On the 33rd lap, the FIA decided it was enough and the race was stopped.

It was too dark to restart. The classification of the 31st lap, which was the penultimate lap completed by drivers, used as the final score. Because the drivers hadn't completed 75% of the 56 laps, half points were awarded. Jenson Button, Nick Heidfeld and Timo Glock were on the podium.

This made the 2009 Malaysian Grand Prix the fifth Formula One race in which only half points were awarded. It is also the last race to date where half points have been awarded. Brawn GP became the first team since Alfa Romeo in 1950 to win its first two Grands Prix.