Malaysia – FP1: Rosberg on Top, Mechanical Issue for Hamilton

Summary:

For this first free practice session of the Malaysian Grand Prix, the weather conditions are ideal. The first driver to take to the track is Marcus Ericsson at the wheel of his Sauber and, for the first time since the start of the season, a Manor is making an appearance! Will Stevens completes an installation lap before returning to the pits.

Installation laps are completed before Fernando Alonso makes his first outing of the season. After missing the first Grand Prix of the season, the Spanish driver is back. He is joined on the track by his compatriot Roberto Merhi, who will be participating in his first Grand Prix this weekend.

After 20 minutes of testing, Marcus Ericsson sets the initial benchmark with a time of 1:44.483. The Swede is quickly beaten by Valtteri Bottas, who records a time of 1:43.432 despite a major wheel lock-up. The Finn improves the next lap with a time of 1:42.533.

The times are starting to drop and Nico Rosberg is getting close to the fastest time set by Lewis Hamilton last year during FP1 (1:40.691). The German driver completes the Sepang track in 1:40.973, while Fernando Alonso finishes his first timed lap in 1:45.101.

As Lewis Hamilton was on track to complete his first flying lap, the Briton was forced to stop his car on the side of the track. After half an hour of testing, Nico Rosberg leads the field ahead of Carlos Sainz, Kimi Räikkönen, Romain Grosjean, Daniel Ricciardo, Felipe Massa, Marcus Ericsson, and Daniil Kvyat.

At mid-session, Manor Marussia records its first time of the season with a lap of 1:51.091 by Will Stevens. The Briton improves to 1:47.734 thereafter but remains stuck in last place on the leaderboard. Meanwhile, Romain Grosjean places his Lotus in second position with a lap completed in 1:41.543 while Rosberg improves the best time to 1:40.123.

Ten minutes before the end of the session, Robert Merhi sets his first timed lap of the season at 1:48.937. The workload for Manor Marussia promises to be immense in order to qualify for the Grand Prix. Nico Rosberg is still leading ahead of the Ferraris of Kimi Räikkönen and Sebastian Vettel. Romain Grosjean is fourth ahead of Carlos Sainz and Daniel Ricciardo.

No improvement was noted in the final moments of the session except for the notable ones from the two Ferraris, which are closing in on the remaining Mercedes. Nico Rosberg has a lead of nearly three-tenths over Kimi Räikkönen. Sebastian Vettel is eight-tenths behind, followed by Romain Grosjean, Carlos Sainz, Daniel Ricciardo, Max Verstappen, Valtteri Bottas, Daniil Kvyatt, and Marcus Ericsson.