Williams enjoyed a double-points finish in Sepang but team tactics likely cost the Grove-based outfit a position against McLaren's Stoffel Vandoorne.
Both Lance Stroll and Felipe Massa were hot on the heels of Vandoorne when the pair were called in for their pitstops
Williams banked on the fresh rubber to undercut the Belgian, but after stopping the McLaren held its position against Stroll and Massa - albeit just barely.
"Since Lance, who previously had the lead, ended up behind Felipe after the pitstops, we felt it was correct to swap the places," explained Williams' Paddy Lowe.
"We also knew Felipe’s car was carrying some damage [sustained in the contact at the start].
"Unfortunately, in the execution of that we lost a potential position to Vandoorne coming out of the pits."
The trio raced in formation for the remainder of the afternoon but neither Stroll nor Massa succeeded in mounting an attack on the McLaren.
Both drivers were satisfied however with the ultimate results.
"I am very happy with the end result, which was fantastic," said Stroll.
"Coming eighth from 13th, having great pace throughout the race, having a good fight all through the race, managing my tyres, and eighth and ninth being a great result for the team."
As for Felipe Massa, the Brazilian believes his efforts would have yielded a better result without an opening lap contact with Esteban Ocon which damaged the floor of his Fw40.
"I had a fantastic start, and overtook many cars, so I was really disappointed about the incident at Turn 2, where I got pushed out by Ocon.
"I lost a lot of places and damaged the floor of the car. I feel like I could have got higher up if it hadn’t happened.
"But overall the result was positive for the team. We scored points whilst Renault and Toro Rosso didn’t, so that helps us in the Constructors’ Championship."
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