( CNN ) -- Lewis Hamilton led a Mercedes one-two at the Malaysian Grand Prix Sunday then dedicated his victory to the families and presumed victims of missing flight MH370 . `` I just feel so grateful , particularly after the tragedy three weeks ago and I would like to dedicate the win to the families , '' said the Briton on the victory podium at Sepang . The mystery surrounding the Malaysian Airlines flight cast a shadow over the race , with the circuit only a short drive from the international airport in Kuala Lumpur . A minute 's silence , led by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone , was observed before the start , while drivers wore helmet stickers reading `` Pray for MH370 '' . When the action started , Hamilton swiftly took advantage of pole position to win by 17 seconds from teammate Nico Rosberg , with reigning four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel in a distant third for Red Bull . Rosberg , who won the season-opener in Australia where a technical fault scuppered Hamilton 's chances , extended his lead in the title race with his solid drive , racing past Vettel from third on the grid . `` I got a great start today , `` said the German , who is the son of 1982 world champion Keke Rosberg . `` I was trying to chase Lewis but he was just too quick for me today . '' While Vettel was satisfied with his third place , his teammate Daniel Ricciardo suffered a sorry race with a series of technical problems forcing him to retire . It continued the misfortune for Australian Ricciardo , who took second in his home grand prix in Melbourne , but was subsequently disqualified for breaking regulations regarding fuel use . It left two-time world champion Fernando Alonso in fourth for Ferrari ahead of Force India 's Nico Hulkenberg , with Jenson Button sixth in his McLaren . Williams drivers Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas were seventh and eighth while Button 's teammate Kevin Magnussen and Toro Rosso 's Daniil Kvyat completed the points scoring . Only 15 drivers were classified as the teams continue to get to grips with the new cars in Formula One , which use 1.6-litre V6 turbo-charged power units . Mercedes has been consistently quickest in pre-season testing and the opening two races of the season and will be looking to take further advantage at next week 's Bahrain round . Rosberg leads Hamilton by 18 points in the standings , with Alonso a point further back . Vettel , who was forced to retire in Australia , claimed his first points of the season in Malaysia , but knows his former all-conquering team are playing catch up . `` At the end I was just trying to get the car home . There 's still a long way to go -- the Mercedes cars are quick , '' he admitted . 2008 champion , Hamilton , who was ending an eight-month victory drought , had served notice of his superiority by pipping Vettel to pole in Saturday 's rain-hit qualifying session . Forecasts that Sunday 's race would be affected by poor weather proved wide of the mark , with only a few spots of rain falling in the latter stages of the 56 laps .
Lewis Hamilton wins Malaysian Grand Prix . Teammate Nico Rosberg finishes second to extend title lead . World champion Sebastian Vettel finishes in third place . TL;DR The Formula One world championship is back on track after a weekend of drama and controversy that saw the race between Mercedes and Ferrari end with both drivers finishing behind their rivals. disappeared flight MH370 .