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2013 Malaysian GP qualifying: Live updates, blog

Expert
23rd March, 2013
62

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.

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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.

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