After the disappointment of seeing podium finishes go begging because of backmarkers and mechanical problems at the opening round in Dubai, Filippi was naturally delighted to have given Malaysian-based Meritus its first win in GP2.
“I am fantastically happy," he admitted before hearing of the tyre problem, "Of course, I am surprised to win here on a new track with a new team, and I want to thank the public in Sentul for their great support to the only truly Asian team in the paddock.
"I had a good start and a fight with Valles, but I managed to keep my second place from the start. The safety car periods disrupted the race on two occasions, but I cannot complain. Overall, I had a good race, and took the lead on lap 25. This was the key to the race. My pace was good all the way, and the car was working well. With the team, we have done a great job to prepare for the races and, having qualified second this morning, we established that the car was quick for the races. Ten more points is fantastic for our team."
Instead of moving into second in the standings, Filippi will remain eleventh in the standings, and has a fight on his hand to score in Sunday's sprint as he will be relegated to the back of the grid along with the other excluded driver, Stephen Jelley.
![Luca Filippi - QI-Meritus Mahara [pic credit: GP2 Series]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/404016.jpg)
