Round two of the 2013 Formula one World Championship kicks on with qualifying at Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit this evening at 5PM AEDT.
The Roar will keep you the loop for qualifying and the race, live blogging all the on-track action.
Just six days after the chequered flag dropped on the Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne already seems like a distant memory.
The Formula One circus packed up and rolled out of town, leaving almost no evidence of it ever having been there.
Destination? Malaysia, and the Sepang International Circuit.
Round one often gives a distorted view of how the pecking order might settle for the season. The track is hardly representative of any other and the teams are still busy breaking in their cars.
Now in Malaysia, a new challenge greets the drivers.
A variety of slow, medium, and sweeping fast corners combined with two long straights makes this Hermann Tilke-drome the antithesis of Albert Park, and really puts the cars and tyres to the test.
As per usual for 2013, qualifying will consist of three segments over the course of one hour – the slowest six of Q1 and Q2 will be eliminated early and consigned to their grid slots – while Q3 is a low-fuel soft-tyre shootout for pole. The best of the rest will make the top ten.
Red Bull proved last week that it has, overwhelmingly, the fastest car over one lap – but its pace comes at the price of higher tyre wear during the race.
Mercedes worked hard over the break to bring its car up to scratch and must be considered a genuine contender for the front row, while Ferrari and Lotus will make this afternoon’s session an eight-way battle for pole.
But, as is always the case at Sepang, the possibility of rain lingers in the air, threatening to disrupt even the most intricate of preparations.
React too late, and your qualifying session will be nothing more than lottery.
The first 20-minute session of qualifying is set to kick off at 7PM AEDT.
Bring it on.
Mark Young
Roar Guru
Great work Michael! Just read through, what a session! It is always good to see a couple of drivers out of position who need to fight their way back so I'm looking forward to seeing Di Resta and Grosjean battle from the midfield. Nice to see Ricciardo doing well. Bianchi in a different world to the other backmarkers, nearly the same pace as Bottas. Hamilton and Rosberg trading punches, this one has got a long way to go. McLaren on their way back. Massa in front of Fred! And a topsy turvey race expected with rain, DRS,tyre wear and so forth! Love it!
Michael Lamonato
Expert
And that's that for qualifying in Malaysia. I'll be back tomorrow evening, so make sure you check back in with The Roar tomorrow evening for live text coverage of what promises to be a thrilling 2013 Formula One Malaysian Grand Prix.
Michael Lamonato
Expert
So Sebastian Vettel has scored yet another pole position. But tomorrow's race ought to be far from predictable. There are huge question marks over Red Bull's rate of tyre wear, the pace of the Ferraris lurking close behind, and Malaysia's volatile weather. It has all the ingredients for a cracking race. I can't wait.
Michael Lamonato
Expert
#BelieveInMassa. Get it trending. Right guys? Right?
Michael Lamonato
Expert
And here's your provisional starting grid for tomorrow's race: P01 - VET P02 - MAS P03 - ALO P04 - HAM P05 - WEB P06 - ROS P07 - RAI P08 - BUT P09 - SUT P10 - PER P11 - GRO P12 - HUL P13 - RIC P14 - GUT P15 - DIR P16 - MAL P17 - VER P18 - BOT P19 - BIA P20 - PIC P21 - CHI P22 - VDG
Michael Lamonato
Expert
And so ends qualifying for the Malaysian Grand Prix! And the times are: 1. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing, 1m 49.674s 2. Felipe Massa, Ferrari, (+0.9s) 3. Fernando Alonso, Ferrari (+1.1s) 4. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, (+2.1s) 5. Mark Webber, Red Bull Racing, (+2.6s) 6. Nico Rsoberg, Mercedes, (+2.9s) 7. Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus, (+3.3s) 8. Jenson Button, McLaren, (+3.5s) 9. Adrian Sutil, Force India, (+3.8s) 10. Sergio Perez, McLaren, (+4.5s)
Tristan Rayner
Editor
FEVER!
Michael Lamonato
Expert
But here's some genuinely exciting news: Felipe Massa has outqualified his team-mate to start second on the grid. He went two-tenths faster than Alonso despite the Spaniard switching to newer tyres halfway through the session.
Michael Lamonato
Expert
Alonso goes fastest, but Vettel takes it from him only seconds later! it's pole for Vettel!
Michael Lamonato
Expert
Vettel has set a personal best in the first sector, and an all-round best in the second. Here we go...
Michael Lamonato
Expert
But just as I post that, predictably, Raikkonen sets a purple first sector. Vettel and Alonso are due to start their flying laps in a moment, too.
Michael Lamonato
Expert
But Hamilton beats him! he goes almost half a second faster than the Australian. There aren't any other purple sectors out there at the moment...
Michael Lamonato
Expert
Webber has set the best first sector of the weekend, but a slow second sector. His third sector is another best, and goes fastest. Raikkonen's been warned his car's only good for one timed lap before he runs out of fuel.
Michael Lamonato
Expert
Alonso has followed Vettel in, both cars fitting new intermediate rubber for a second shot.
Michael Lamonato
Expert
Vettel believes a new set of intermediate tyres will do his pole chances some good. Raikkonen and Sutil have also dived into the pits.
Michael Lamonato
Expert
Every car has set a time now. Massa has replaced Alonso in third, while Button is slowest of the ten.
Michael Lamonato
Expert
The first times are coming in now. Vettel, Rosberg, Alonso are the top three at the moment.
Michael Lamonato
Expert
Lewis Hamilton, speaking of, is the first man to make an excursion off the track.
Michael Lamonato
Expert
There's a whole heap of spray kicking up from the green intermediate tyres. It's still raining, as well - though less heavily.
Michael Lamonato
Expert
Race control has informed us that DRS isn't to be used due to the wet weather.