Webber says failure cost him fourth

The Williams driver started the Sepang event from fourth position and, having saved a set of new tyres for the race, his chances of fighting for a podium finish looked good.

The Australian, however, was hit by a hydraulics failure on lap 16, right after making his first pitstop.

Without that, Webber claims he could have finished at least fourth.

"I'd saved a set of tyres where a lot of the others, including Nico (Rosberg), had used them," said Webber. "We'd have been good for a few points, but I never got free air to find out how quick I was. We would probably have beaten Montoya.

"On my out lap the hydraulics failed. Sam (Michael, technical director) said it was terminal so I pulled over. I had no warning."

Webber's chances of fighting for a podium finish had already taken a hit when he was passed at the start by Renault driver Fernando Alonso.

The world champion, driving a very heavy car, made a brilliant start but was slower than Webber in the first part of the race, spoiling the Williams driver's strategy.

"I knew Alonso was going heavy," said Webber. "He was totally supreme on traction out of Turns 14 and 15. It was hard to put pressure on him and I knew every lap behind him was compromising our strategy.

"It's disappointing not to take on the momentum from Bahrain, but overall it was good."