Sepang, 23 March

Lewis Hamilton was quickest on the first day of free practice for the Malaysian Grand Prix. After setting the fastest time in the morning session, the British driver’s McLaren also went top in the second session that recently finished at the Sepang circuit with a time of 1.38.172, ahead of the Mercedes of Michael Schumacher (1.38.533) and the other McLaren of Jenson Button (1.38.535). The F2012 of Fernando Alonso set the sixth fastest time (1.38.891), while the other Ferrari of Felipe Massa was 16th with 1.40.271.

Scuderia Ferrari completed its usual Friday programme. In the afternoon this was concentrated on the comparison between the two tyre compounds made available by Pirelli for the Malaysian track – Hard and Medium. The two cars lapped on heavy fuel loads in the second part of the session, which all took place on a dry track.

For the protagonists of this second round of the Formula 1 World Championship, the action will get back under way tomorrow at 1300 with the final session of free practice.