Lewis Hamilton will start from the top when the Malaysia Grand Prix flags off tomorrow, having secured pole position during the qualifying session earlier today.
The British driver finished ahead of Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, with teammate Nico Rosberg taking third spot in a session that was largely hindered by torrential rain. Surprise of the day though, was none other than 17 year-old Max Verstappen, who secured sixth spot, despite only competing in his second Formula One race.
Meanwhile, Vettel’s teammate, Kimi Raikkonen, will start 11th on the grid, having hit traffic in his maiden lap before the second session was halted by the heavy downpour. The McLarens though, had a disappointing run in Sepang, with Jenson Button securing 17th spot and Fernando Alonso coming right behind him.
The look of the starting grid certainly makes Hamilton a massive favourite, though Vettel is equally confident of winning the race on Sunday evening.
“I think, yes, we can [challenge],” he told Sky Sports F1.
“It depends on a lot of things which I cannot tell you now. As you saw today, there’s rain in the air; if it comes and hits the track at the right moment for you that can be quite good. It can also work against you as well, so we’ll have to wait and see.”
“On our own, as you said, the pace looks decent,” Vettel said. “But we also have to be realistic – Mercedes has an advantage which didn’t just disappear.
“Maybe it wasn’t that obvious until now but it is still there. I think, in the end, we have to look after ourselves and everything else we will see.”
Other posts by FO Newsdesk
