Welcome to our coverage of the 2017 Formula One Malaysian Grand Prix. A qualification drama for his nearest rival has given Lewis Hamilton the advantage in the title race, and with just five races to go after this it’s going to be a critical race for both Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel.
Racetime is top of the hour wherever you are, here’s a reminder of what’s already happened this race weekend:
- Hamilton struggled in Friday practicea full 1.5 seconds off Vettel’s pace…
- … before the Wheel of Mechanical Disaster did a full 180 on Saturday, leaving the Ferrari man sitting last on the grid while Lewis took pole.
- Thunderstorms are forecast, and while it looks sunny at Sepang now there was a big downpour about an hour ago.
This is the grid:
1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2. Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
4. Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull)
5. Valtteri Bottas (Mercades)
6. Esteban Ocon (Force India)
7. Stoffel Vandoorne (McLaren)
8. Nico Hulkenberg (Renault)
9. Sergio Perez (Force India)
10. Fernando Alonso (McLaren)
11. Felipe Massa (Williams)
12. Jolyon Palmer (Renault)
13. Lance Stroll (Williams)
14. Carlos Sainz (Toro Rosso)
15. Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso)
16. Romain Grosjean (Haas)
17. Kevin Magnussen (Haas)
18. Pascal Wehrlein (Sauber)
19. Marcus Ericsson (Sauber)
20. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)
Pierre Gasly will make his debut, tagged in by Toro Rosso to replace Daniil Kvyat. The Russian has only scored four points all season, so it’s a bit chance for Gasly to press his claims for a seat in 2018.