Track Preview: 2015 Malaysian Grand Prix, Sepang

The Malaysian Grand Prix: an abrasive surface with high heat and humidity makes this race a true test for drivers, cars and tyres. Nearly every afternoon there is an intense downpour, making it likely to see the Cinturato tyres in competitive action for the first time this year in Formula One.

For this race, Pirelli have chosen the two hardest tyres in our range this weekend: P Zero Orange hard and P Zero White medium which as has always been the case in Malaysia since Pirelli returned to Formula One in 2011.

The Sepang track has got everything it takes to make life difficult for tyres: fast corners with big lateral loads, rough asphalt, high ambient temperatures and a bumpy surface (as the track was originally built on a swamp). As a result, both mechanical and thermal degradation are important factors.

The cars tend to run high downforce in Malaysia, adding vertical forces to the varied demands faced by the tyres. This then means that finding a set up that allows them to be competitive yet kind to the tyres poses the teams and their drivers a headache but also a challenge over the weekend too.

Because it rains almost on a daily basis in Sepang, the rubber laid down on the circuit tends to get washed away between each session. This makes the pattern of track evolution quite hard to predict and also increases the risk of race stoppages and safety cars (the Malaysian Grand Prix has been halted early on more than one occasion).

Drainage is also a problem at the circuit and this has lead to pools of standing water building up on the track. If it does rain during the race, judging the crossover point could make the difference between winning and losing. This is the point at which it becomes faster to switch from one type of tyre to another.

With very little wet running so far this season, all of the teams will prioritise gathering information on crossover points if it rains during free practice: data that could be crucial for the race.

The most stressed tyre in Malaysia is the front-left, so this is the one that the drivers will have to watch: especially at the beginning of the race when the cars are fuel-heavy and it is easy to lock up and take life out of the tyres.

So this weekend, we will see the teams and the drivers ensuring that they get the best out of the car while managing their tyres which could be crucial to get a good result from the Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday.

Facts and Figures

•Sepang has hosted the Grand Prix since 1999, even though the Malaysia has a long racing tradition as a country.

•Michael Schumacher is the most successful driver to win the Grand Prix with four wins

•Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel are currently the most successful Grand Prix drivers with three wins each.

•Ferrari are the most successful constructor to win the Grand Prix with six wins

•Race distance: 310.40 (192.76 miles)
•Number of turns:15
•Top speed: 300kph
•Lap record: Juan Pablo Montoya- Williams (2004)- 1.34.223

Last five winners of the Malaysian Grand Prix:-
•2010-Sebastian Vettel
•2011-Sebastian Vettel
•2012-Fernando Alonso
•2013- Sebastian Vettel
•2014-Lewis Hamilton **
My top 5 things to look out for this weekend:-

1. Return of Manor F1- It is a fantastic achievement to see Manor F1 back on the grid especially after everything they have gone through in the next few months and the news has been much welcomed by everyone who loves the sport. Even though the team didn't run in Melbourne; the fact that they have made steps to ensure that they will run this weekend is a fantastic. But it will be interesting to see how Manor F1 perform this weekend in Sepang; even though it will be difficult in my opinion for them to qualify but the most important thing no matter what happens is that they are at least trying to race as competitively as possible.

2.FP1 Debut of Raffaele Marciello- All eyes will upon Raffaele Marciello who will make his F1 debut with the Sauber team this weekend. As a Ferrari Academy driver, Marciello has won the Euro F3 title in 2013 and impressed many fans with his impressive duel with fellow GP2 driver Stoffel Vandoorne last season in Spa that was great to watch. With many believing him to be one of the most promising and up and coming young driver out there at the moment, will Raffaele be able to have the perfect start to his F1 career this weekend?

3.Returns of Fernando Alonso and Valtteri Bottas- With Alonso returning to the car after sitting out the Australian Grand Prix on medical grounds after the crash he sustained in pre-season testing; many fans will have their eyes peeled to see how Alonso performs on his second debut with the McLaren team. While Bottas will be returning to the car after sustaining a back injury in Q2 in Melbourne, many fans will be hoping that both Bottas and also Alonso have fully recovered and are able to have the best races that they can this weekend.

4.Weather- The weather is unpredictable in Sepang and the threat of it raining on race day is very high. As we have seen for example in 2012, when the rain comes down in Sepang, boy it comes down and we have seen over the years some great races as a result of this. Will we see the same again this weekend?

5.The performance of the world champions Mercedes- With Mercedes having dominated in Australia, Mercedes are clearly still the favourites to retain both of their championships this season and winning at Sepang this weekend. But the real question is; who will be the Driver that will take the Driver's Championship this season? Will it be defending champion Lewis Hamilton who will claim his third title or will it be his team mate Nico Rosberg who will want to close the gap down to his team mate as quickly as its materialised.

Sky Sports F1 are showing uninterrupted and live coverage of every Practice session, Qualifying and race this season and also the BBC are showing coverage. Details for both are as follows below:-

•Sky Sports F1:- Friday (Practice 1 and 2) 2.00am and 6.00am, Saturday (Practice 3 and Qualifying) 6.00am and 9.00am, Sunday (Race) 6.30am

•BBC:- Friday (Practice 1 and 2) 1.55am and 5.55am, Saturday (Practice 3 and Qualifying) 5.55am and 8.00am, Sunday (Race and Highlights) 7.00am, 2.30pm and 7.00pm

Sarah Jones-@jonesy_laaa