SEPANG, Malaysia (CMC):

Lewis Hamilton was simply relieved to have finished the rain-affected Malaysian Grand Prix in one piece yesterday.

The 24-year-old reigning world champion rolled in seventh in the McLaren-Mercedes after the race was red-flagged after the 32nd of 56 scheduled laps in heavy rain.

Hamilton's compatriot Jenson Button, who drove from pole position, earned his second straight victory, after he won the season opener in Australia.

Hamilton, whose roots can be traced to the Spice Isle of Grenada, has been identified as a skilled driver in wet conditions, following his victories two years ago in Japan at Fuji and last year on home soil at Silverstone.

"It was a very tough call because you could only see the clouds and then some parts of the track were wetter than others so it was hard to commit," said Hamilton.

"When the rain came down, it was impossible to drive. I was aquaplaning everywhere - these were the most dangerous conditions I've ever raced in."

He added: "All I could do was try and keep the car on the track. It was the correct decision to stop the race because it was just too dangerous for everyone. I love it when it rains, but this was just too much."

Button was leading when the expected rain finally arrived on the 22nd lap. The Briton made a second pit call (the first had been on the 19th lap) to switch from his second set of soft compound Bridgestones to wets.