Malaysia Grand Prix Qualifying

Sweltering Sepang played host to another dramatic Formula 1 Qualifying session. Rain was on the horizon, and this was the first real chance we had to see the teams in a normal Qualifying situation this season.

Qualifying 1:

There wasn’t a rushed start to Q1, the threat of rain wasn’t immediate. In the beginning the top teams including Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari, Lotus and Mercedes all headed out on the prime (hard) tyre. It was a busy track mid way through the session as Lewis Hamilton was asking his team where he needed to improve his time.

Adrian Sutil was impressing once again in the Force India as he was the first into the 1:36’s however it was set on Medium (Option) tyres. Jenson Button was complaining of the cars handling, the McLaren seemingly struggling once again. But the Medium tyre was the one to be on, the top teams headed out to maintain a good position. Red Bull were seemingly struggling which was a surprise and at the end of the session they only just managed to scrape through into Q2 with Sebastian Vettel only managing 15th place.

Q1 Knockout zone:

22) G Van Der Garde. 21) M Chilton. 20) C Pic. 19) J Bianchi. 18) V Bottas. 17) J Vergne.

Qualifying 2:

Q2 started with the threat of rain increasing, but there wasn’t a flurry of cars heading out right away. The medium tyres were again the main choice for many teams. With dark clouds approaching the session was getting busier. The early pace setters were Mercedes, but it was Nico Rosberg ahead of teammate Lewis Hamilton. Then with 7 minutes remaining the rain began to fall. It didn’t have much of an affect to start with, though there were reports that downtown Kuala Lumpur were suffering a heavy thunderstorm. Paul DiResta was soon caught out in turns 7 and 8 where the rain was heaviest. Romain Grosjean was also unlucky as he wasn’t able to set a truly representative time with the conditions getting worse. Things went from bad to embarrassing for DiResta as he went spinning around at the same point as before, and it became obvious at this stage thet no one would improve their times with the deteriorating track conditions. With the raincontinuing to fall Q2 was brought to a premature end.

Q2 Knockout zone:

16) P Maldonado. 15) P Di Resta. 14) E Gutierrez. 13) D Ricciardo. 12) N Hulkenberg. 11) R Grosjean.

Qualifying 3:

With the rain continuing to fall, Q3 began on the intermediate tyres and DRS disabled. There was a line of cars waiting for the green light at the start of the session. As the session got underway it almost looked like a race as the drivers were scrambling to find a clear run. Track position is critical in any Qualifying session, however in unpredictable conditions it is even more crucial. Drivers had different ideas about what tyres to be on, new intermediates or used ones. After the first timed runs some drivers continued, others pitted, but at the end of it all there was great pace and performance from Ferrari, but with Felipe Massa ahead of team mate Fernando Alonso. After all the drama it was the Red Bull of Sebastian Vettel who was fastest and who starts on Pole Position for the 2013 Formula 1 Malaysian Grand Prix after gambling on a late tyre change.

Tom Wilkinson’s Qualifying Notes.

Felipe Massa did a fantastic job today as he qualifies on the front row for the first time since Bahrain 2010. The Ferrari has excellent pace this weekend.

McLaren are seemingly struggling once again. They said the rain might help them but in the end it didnt make a difference.

Mercedes look strong again this weekend, Hamilton qualifies ahead of Rosberg. But their wet pace isn’t the fastest thats for sure.

Jules Bianchi was very strong throughout Qualifying in the Marussia. I also thought Daniel Ricciardo did a good job too for Toro Rosso.

F1 Qualifying: NEWS UPDATE:

It has been officially announced by the FIA that Kimi Raikkonen receives a 3 place grid penalty for impeding Nico Rosberg.

Here is the full grid for the the 2013 Formula 1 Malaysian Grand Prix.

1) Sebastian Vettel
2) Felipe Massa
3) Fernando Alonso
4) Lewis Hamilton
5) Mark Webber
6) Nico Rosberg
7) Jenson Button
8) Adrian Sutil
9) Sergio Perez
10) Kimi Raikkonen – Penalty
11) Romain Grosjean
12) Nico Hulkenberg
13) Daniel Ricciardo
14) Esteban Gutierrez
15) Paul DiResta
16) Pastor Maldonado
17) Jean-Eric Vergne
18) Valtteri Bottas
19) Jules Bianchi
20) Charles Pic
21) Max Chilton
22) Giedo van der Garde

Join me Live for the race tomorrow via Twitter @TomWilkinsonF1 #TWF1.

You can read my race report right here at Driving For Pleasure. Enjoy what will certainly be a brilliant Malaysian Grand Prix.