F1 Malaysian Grand Prix: Hamilton tops rain-hit qualifying

Having trailed Nico Rosberg in practice earlier today, Lewis Hamilton returned to the top of the timesheets during the rain-hit qualifying session that decides the grid order for tomorrow’s F1 Malaysian Grand Prix.

Thunderstorms hit the track during Q2, delaying the final leg of qualifying by over 30 minutes. When the action finally resumed, Hamilton laid the benchmark of 1:49.834 to surge at the top of the timesheets.

Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel came within a tenth of that time on his final run but couldn’t quite upset the Brit who secured his second pole position of the season.

Rosberg qualified a disappointing third after failing to emulate his Mercedes teammate in wet and damp conditions. He would be joined by a rather jubilant Daniel Ricciardo on the second row of the grid.

Daniil Kvyat - who failed to make it to the grid in Australia - completed a positive day for Red Bull Racing with fifth fastest time of the day.

Max Verstappen did a formidable job in treacherous conditions and will line up in sixth position for what will be his second F1 race.

Williams who had hoped to be fighting with Ferrari for the ‘best of the rest’ tag found themselves languishing in 7th and 9th place respectively. The FW37 clearly isn’t the best F1 car to have in wet conditions, much like it’s predecessor. The fact that both Massa and Bottas completed only a single flying lap didn’t help their cause.

Romain Grosjean was sandwiched between the Williams pairing in 8th while Marcus Ericsson completed the top 10 for Sauber.

RAIKKONEN, OTHERS CAUGHT OUT BY RAIN

Kimi Raikkonen was the biggest victim of mid-qualifying rain as he failed to break into Q3, despite having showed good pace during the three practice sessions that precede qualifying.

Pastor Maldonado also felt a spot in Q3 was possible in dry conditions while Force India believe 13th and 14th places are a true representation of their pace.

Earlier in Q1, the two McLarens failed to get out of the bottom five, despite making major strides since the season opener in Australia. Interestingly, Jenson Button out-qualified Fernando Alonso by tenth off a second in dry conditions.

The McLaren duo were joined by Sauber’s Felipe Nasr(who messed his flying lap) and the Manor of Roberto Merhi in the list of Q1 eliminators. The latter failed to set a lap time within 107 percent of the best time in Q1 but will be allowed to race after the FIA race stewards deemed that both he and teammate Will Stevens had set times sufficiently within 107 percent of the fastest driver in Friday practice.

F1 MALAYSIAN GRAND PRIX - Qualifying results(Top-10)

1. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes-Mercedes 1m 49.834s
2. Sebastian Vettel Ferrari-Ferrari 1m 49.908s
3. Nico Rosberg Mercedes-Mercedes 1m 50.299s
4. Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull-Renault 1m 51.541s
5. Daniil Kvyat Red Bull-Renault 1m 51.951s
6. Max Verstappen Toro Rosso-Renault 1m 51.981s
7. Felipe Massa Williams-Mercedes 1m 52.473s
8. Romain Grosjean Lotus-Mercedes 1m 52.981s*
9. Valtteri Bottas Williams-Mercedes 1m 53.179s
10. Marcus Ericsson Sauber-Ferrari 1m 53.261s

*Romain Grosjean was penalised for a pit lane infraction and will start on P10 for the race.