Free 1: Mark Webber Imperial

Mark Webber started the weekend in Malaysia in the best possible way, the Australian stood out on several occasions with the best time of the session. The pilot Red Bull, author of a 1’37”651, finished in front Lewis Hamilton et Michael Schumacher.

Leading the session for a long time, the good performances of Nick Heidfeld (7th) were spoiled by brake problems. A little later, Vitaly Petrov apparently suffered a similar problem, involving a mechanical breakage.

Ferrari completed a studious session: engine tests and aerodynamic tests on the program. Neither Fernando Alonso (9th), nor Felipe Massa (6th) signed very significant times.

As for HRT, the struggle continues. Narain Karthikeyan was not able to complete more than three laps. The F111 suffered a breakdown on the circuit, without being able to return to its stand under its own power. But the two HRT drivers set less catastrophic times than in Melbourne.