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DAY 1 - Malaysian Formula 1 Grand Prix – Sepang, Kuala Lumpur
Sepang is hot, humid and not the place to be wearing four-layer fire proof overalls and all the other appendages, but that’s the lot of a Formula 1 driver when it comes to racing in Malaysia.
With temperatures reaching 60 degrees Centigrade the conditions for drivers, team members and spectators alike is very uncomfortable, but that’s what you get in Malaysia. However, it does underline the fitness of the drivers and consider the pressures that the car and engine are under.
Australian race winner Lewis Hamilton suffered engine problems in the morning and despite very little track time in the afternoon was quickest in second practice. Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen was second quickest, Nico Rosberg third, Daniil Kvyat fourth for Red Bull and the two Williams twins of Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa, fifth and sixth respectively. The top six were covered by half a second.
Bottas returned to the track after missing the Melbourne race with back problems, while McLaren’s Fernando Alonso got his first taste of the 2015 season, and the McLaren-Honda package in race trim, after his testing accident in February. The Spaniard was 16th quickest with his team mate Jenson Button 17th; both three seconds slower than Hamilton.
Qualifying for Sunday’s Malaysian Grand prix takes place tomorrow morning Bahrain time. Images from Sutton-Images.