Malaysian GP
Sepang International Circuit
ended
1 month ago
That concludes our coverage of P3 on the McLaren.com Pitwall. See you later!
1 month ago
The top 9 cars are separated by less than 1s, so there's all to play for in Qualifying. Join us back here for more insight and excitement!
1 month ago
The mercury reads 32 degrees in the pit garage, with not a breath of wind. Time to refresh. Yep, you guessed it: with a Lucozade!
1 month ago
Pit » BUT: "Please leave the car in Parc Fermé. The guys will meet you there."
1 month ago
Pit » BUT: "We finished in P6. If you add up all of your best sector times, you would have been P2. There's still a bit of time to find in sector 1."
1 month ago
So, the top 10 in P3: 1) ROS, 2) VET, 3) WEB, 4) RAI, 5) GRO, 6) BUT, 7) MAL, 8) MSC, 9) HAM, 10) KOB
1 month ago
Pit » HAM: "Box this lap. ALO Please stop at Parc Fermé."
1 month ago
Pit » HAM: "You've got DLR behind. He's on an out-lap."
1 month ago
Pit » BUT: "Let MAL through as well. Use the gap behind him."
1 month ago
Pit » BUT: "Watch out for ALO, 2s behind. He's on a timed lap."
1 month ago
And Jenson goes fastest on 1:37.4s.
1 month ago
Pit » HAM: "You have Jenson on a timed lap, about 5s behind. Don't back up too much."
1 month ago
Pit » HAM: "Be careful of HUL behind. He's on a timed lap, let him through."
1 month ago
Lewis completes his first flying lap of the session and he goes second fastest: 1:37.7s. Good work.
1 month ago
Pit » BUT: "Let ALO through. He's on a timed lap and there is a large gap behind him."
1 month ago
Jenson is out now, as is the entire grid!
1 month ago
Pit » HAM: "The car behind is ALO. He's on an out-lap, like you. There's a large gap behind him, so drive the out-lap at the pace you want."
1 month ago
Pit » BUT: "Lewis is going to do 4 timed laps, which is why he's gone out now."
1 month ago
And Lewis heads out for a run on the option rubber.
1 month ago
With 10 mins to go, there are only three cars on-track. It's about to get very busy...
1 month ago
Pit » HAM: "A 1:37.4s from the Williams, on prime tyres, is good. The track looks very quick at the moment."
1 month ago
Hamilton: "It looks like the track's getting better and better..."
1 month ago
Pit » BUT: "Having looked at the data, the track looks quite a lot quicker than yesterday."
1 month ago
With 15 mins of P3 remaining, here's the top 10: 1) VET, 2) MAL, 3) WEB, 4) PER, 5) MSC, 6) ROS, 7) SEN, 8) GRO, 9) KOB, 10) RIC
1 month ago
1 month ago
Pit » BUT: "Three minutes after us. He completed two sectors, then had a spin at T14."
1 month ago
1 month ago
1 month ago
Pit » HAM: "No problem. You're first flying lap was competitive."
1 month ago
Hamilton: "That was a decent spin, sorry about that..."
1 month ago
Lewis has a spin. He's pitlane entry now, box this lap.
1 month ago
Pit » BUT: "Box this lap. The car behind is WEB, he's 10s behind on a timed lap."
1 month ago
19 of the 24 cars are currently on-track...
1 month ago
Pit » HAM: "Gap ahead now 5s to HUL, gap behind 5s to VET. You can afford to give yourself more room towards the end of the lap."
1 month ago
Pit » HAM: "Be careful of the cars around you as you join the track. You're just behind HUL in the Force India and you have a 5s gap to VET behind."
1 month ago
Pit » HAM: "The wind is very light at the moment. You have a slight headwind along the back straight and a tail wind into Turn 9."
1 month ago
Hamilton: "Is the wind still from the same direction?"
1 month ago
Pit » HAM: "The track conditions don't look too bad. It might be a bit slippery in the last sector, but it should be okay."
1 month ago
Pit » BUT: "The car in front is KAR. You have a 20s gap behind; use the gap behind."
1 month ago
Jenson's on-track.
1 month ago
GRO sets a time of 1:40.2s, just a couple of secs shy of Lewis's best lap yesterday. Time to get busy.
1 month ago
1 month ago
Pit » BUT: "Okay Jenson, radio check?"
1 month ago
With more cars going out, the track's going to dry quickly. Won't be long before we head out - JB's already getting back in the car.
1 month ago
SEN sets the first flying lap of the day, a 1:43.7s. That's 5.5s slower than Lewis's best time of yesterday.
1 month ago
ROS heads out of the pitlane on intermediates. Let's look for spray...
1 month ago
During this lull, let's wish Gary Pafett a happy 31st birthday. Many happy returns Gary!
1 month ago
Lewis is chilling by the fans in the pit garage. Much better than being in the cockpit, where temperatures peaked at 46 degrees yesterday!
1 month ago
So, 10 minutes gone of P3 and no-one has set a lap time. It's going to be a busy end to the session, for sure...
1 month ago
Lewis and Jenson are now out of their cars, waiting for the track conditions to improve.
1 month ago
Pit » HAM: "It's not ideal track conditions for us to do some work. We'll wait for the track to dry a bit. If you want to hop out for a bit, you can."
1 month ago
Hamilton: "The track's dry until Turn 9, then it gets wetter and wetter."
1 month ago
Pit » HAM: "Everything alright with the car, and how's the track?"
1 month ago
Pit: "Lewis is box this lap."
1 month ago
Pit » BUT: "Copy that. You did a good job of looking after the tyres."
1 month ago
1 month ago
Jenson returns to the pitlane.
1 month ago
1 month ago
Pit » BUT: "How is the track?"
1 month ago
Pit » BUT: "Take care of the tyres."
1 month ago
Both Jenson and Lewis head out on intermediate tyres...
1 month ago
Welcome to our live coverage of FP3 on the McLaren.com Pitwall. We've just had a rain shower, but the track is drying quickly.
1 month ago
Good afternoon / evening from Sepang!
1 month ago
That concludes our coverage of today's practice sessions - thanks for joining us for a fun and busy day. We'll see you all tomorrow!
1 month ago
Fastest time was HAM 1m38.172s. BUT was third fastest on a 1m38.535s.
1 month ago
That's the end of P2 in Sepang. The top 10 is 1 HAM 2 SCH 3 BUT 4 ROS 5 RIC 6 ALO 7 WEB 8 VER 9 GRO 10 VET.
1 month ago
Let's catch up on Lewis's progress:
1 month ago
Pit » BUT: "Okay Jenson, time for two more timed laps."
1 month ago
For context, both drivers are now lapping in the 1m44s bracket.
1 month ago
If you're wondering why the lap times aren't improving, it's because most of the cars are now conducting longer runs.
1 month ago
Lewis just ran a little wide at Turns Seven & High - the high-speed double-right-hander.
1 month ago
Out goes Jenson - deep into his analysis work in P2. Only 15 mins of this session remaining.
1 month ago
Pit: "Lewis is box this lap - he'll be stopping on his marks and turning the engine off."
1 month ago
Jenson is now going through a blow-by-blow debrief of that last run on the Option.
1 month ago
Lewis has gone quicker on the Option: 1m38.172s - fastest overall.
1 month ago
Both drivers have improved their best times on the Option tyre. HAM 1m38.513s (1st); BUT 1m38.535s (3rd).
1 month ago
With one hour of P2 gone, the top 10 is 1 HAM 2 SCH 3 BUT 4 ROS 5 RIC 6 ALO 7 WEB 8 VER 9 GRO 10 VET.
1 month ago
Pit » BUT: "De la Rosa is the car behind. Car in front is Vettel."
1 month ago
Pit » HAM: "Fifteen-second gap behind Maldonado. He's on high-fuel, so give him a good gap."
1 month ago
Lewis is out too.
1 month ago
Jenson's now out on the Pirelli Option tyre - the Medium. For this race, that's the white tyre. The Prime (Hard compound) is grey.
1 month ago
A quick glance out of the garage would suggest the rain may hold off - but what do we know??
1 month ago
Pit » BUT: "We're going to get ready to run the Option."
1 month ago
Pit: "Jenson is box this lap - he'll be stopping on his marks and turning the engine off."
1 month ago
Pit » BUT: "And box this lap."
1 month ago
Pit » BUT: "Car behind is now di Resta, on a quick lap. Watch out for di Resta."
1 month ago
Pit » BUT: "You are now P2. Box this lap, car behind is Schumacher - he's on an out-lap."
1 month ago
For all those asking about the lovely pics, they're taking using the iPhone app Hipstamatic. Great, isn't it?
1 month ago
If you're joining us in the UK and about to sit down for breakfast, we're currently first (HAM) and third (BUT)...
1 month ago
A 1m38.617s re-confirms Lewis's position at the top of the time sheets.
1 month ago
Pit » HAM: "And box this lap. Great lap."
1 month ago
Pit » BUT: "Drive straight out - track is clear."
1 month ago
Pit » HAM: "Large gap behind Ricciardo."
1 month ago
Hamilton: "Time for another lap?"
1 month ago
Pit » HAM: "Great lap, I suggest we box this lap."
1 month ago
Another great lap from Lewis - a 1m38.816s - he's quickest, from Ricciardo.
1 month ago
Pit » HAM: "Car ahead is Massa - car behind is Alonso."
1 month ago
Jenson is now back in the garage, just as Lewis left the pits!
1 month ago
But white in sector 3 - it nets him a 1m39.531s - ninth quickest.
1 month ago
Two green sectors for Jenson...
1 month ago
Lewis is back in the garage now. His time of 1m38.921s is second-fastest, the quickest prime runner, behind Ricciardo.
1 month ago
As long as you prime the surface, you can easily add the paint - several layers. And then a final coat of clear to make it sparkle!
1 month ago
An interesting #socialfriday question: @MichaelKWLi asks: "How do you get the paint on the car when it made out of carbon fibre??"
1 month ago
Hamilton: "Box this lap okay."
1 month ago
Pit » HAM: "You have a clear track behind - and confirm you are box this lap."
1 month ago
Both cars are out again - on Prime tyres.
1 month ago
Pit » HAM: "And ready for your timed laps, Lewis."
1 month ago
Pit » HAM: "Gap ahead is 10 seconds to Rosberg. Gap behind is also 10 seconds - to a Williams."
1 month ago
#socialfriday @warrenoconnell asks: "Why do the teams still use pit boards when you have a radio link to the driver?" They're fail-proof!
1 month ago
... and out goes Lewis!
1 month ago
We're firing up Lewis's car...
1 month ago
Pit » HAM: "Okay, we're getting to run again."
1 month ago
Remember, if you're joining us from Malaysia, you can view the mclaren.com pitfall in Bahasa Melayu! #socialfriday
1 month ago
Let's have a look at the g-loadings from Lewis's first run: 5.0g? That's pretty incredible..
1 month ago
Lewis's fastest time on that first run was a 1m38.921s.
1 month ago
Hamilton: "The track's a bit different from this morning."
1 month ago
Pit » BUT: "We're making steps in the right direction."
1 month ago
Jenson is now debriefing with his engineers - lots of details to run through.
1 month ago
Pit: "Okay guys, Jenson is box this lap... he's pit lane entry now."
1 month ago
1 month ago
Pit » BUT: "Okay Jenson, box this lap."
1 month ago
Jenson's best time was a 1m39.754s. We're currently one and two.
1 month ago
Pit » BUT: "You are quickest in the final sector and a tenth off Lewis. P2 overall."
1 month ago
Pit » HAM: "You are the fastest car - main time to find is in the middle sector: two tenths."
1 month ago
And a 1m39.611s for Lewis once again puts him top of the time sheets.
1 month ago
A 1m40.317s for Jenson puts him fourth overall.
1 month ago
And Lewis sets a 1m43.801s.
1 month ago
First lap for Jenson is a 1m44.310s.
1 month ago
Pit » HAM: "Yellow flag ahead. Yellow flags at the last corner."
1 month ago
Pit » HAM: "Gap ahead is nine seconds. Gap behind is eight seconds - you can afford to give yourself a bit of a gap."
1 month ago
Pit » BUT: "Car in front is Grosjean, car behind is Webber."
1 month ago
A quick start to our session: both drivers are now out on track.
1 month ago
Remember, send us your #socialfriday questions via @thefifthdriver - and we'll answer them on the Pitwall.
1 month ago
Welcome back to Sepang! If anything, it's now even hotter, but those grey clouds above could bring some rain later - who knows?!
1 month ago
That concludes our coverage of P1. Join us later for further insight, pics and news from P2!
1 month ago
Lewis's best time was a 1m38.012s and Jenson's was a 1m39.323s.
1 month ago
So that's the end of P1 in Malaysia. Top 10 is 1 HAM 2 VET 3 ROS 4 SCH 5 GRO 6 WEB 7 RAI 8 DIR 9 BUT 10 HUL.
1 month ago
Pit » HAM: "Box this lap."
1 month ago
For all those asking, we're quickly fixing JB's car and it should be perfectly fine for P2.
1 month ago
Pit » HAM: "Track is now clear."
1 month ago
Lewis is currently running the Prime Pirelli tyre (the Hard). It's unusual for teams to run the softer tyres during first practice.
1 month ago
Absolutely. Bruce, his determination & his legacy pervade the very fabric of the team - he's with us every day. #legendindeed #socialfriday
1 month ago
#socialfriday @MrRevhead asks: "Is Bruce McLaren and the kiwi connection still important or remembered much in the team these days?"#legend
1 month ago
Pit » HAM: "Ready for your timed laps now, Lewis."
1 month ago
Pit » HAM: "You'll join the track just behind Alonso. Vettel is the car behind - eight seconds behind us."
1 month ago
Questions about mealtimes: the drivers tend to eat a light meal (chicken/fish/salad etc) a few hours before the race. #sociafriday
1 month ago
Out goes Lewis for his final run of P1.
1 month ago
Pit » HAM: "We're getting ready for another run now, Lewis."
1 month ago
#socialfriday @joaosantos138 asks: "How come Jb is nº3 if he finished 2nd last year?" RBR has 1 & 2. We were second '11 team so got 3 & 4!
1 month ago
So Jenson's got a minor problem with his car and had ended his session. We'll get it fixed ahead of P2.
1 month ago
#socialfriday @_stapleman_ asks" Does lewis have a round 2 design on his helmet this weekend?" He has plenty planned, but nothing here, no!
1 month ago
Pit » HAM: "We've got enough time for another run in P1."
1 month ago
Our partners at Kenwood have developed a clever radio network, so we're constantly in the loop! #socialfriday
1 month ago
#socialfriday @jpkaris asks: "The communication between driver and engineers must be very high tech... how does it work with all the noise?"
1 month ago
Another good question: I always remember @jensonbutton describing it as 'like drinking tea' in the cockpit. Hmmm...!
1 month ago
#socialfriday @jovenatheart asks: "What is the temperature of the fluid that the drivers drink during the race? I imagine it's quite hot..."
1 month ago
#socialfriday @Kyle_b126 asks: "What happens if a driver doesn't feel well on race weekend?" We've a very fine doctor who looks after them!
1 month ago
With one hour of P1 complete, the top 10 is 1 HAM 2 VET 3 ROS 4 SCH 5 GRO 6 WEB 7 RAI 8 DIR 9 BUT 10 HUL. HAM 1m38.021s. BUT 1m39.323s
1 month ago
#socialfriday @gooner_saad asks: "Can both drivers talk with each other or just with the team at the pit?" Just with their race engineers.
1 month ago
#socialfriday @rib_khalifa asks: "How are both cars transported for a grand prix?" For flyways, by plane. In Europe, by transporter truck.
1 month ago
Jenson is once again debriefing with Dave.
1 month ago
The drivers tend to speak at the apex of the corners - when the engine is quietest. We talk to them along the straights, yes. #socialfriday
1 month ago
#socialfriday @chorlton_dave asks: "Do JB and LH ever radio during cornering? Or just on the straights?"
1 month ago
And out goes Lewis, just as Jenson pits.
1 month ago
Pit » BUT: "One more timed lap please Jenson."
1 month ago
Good question! Yes, the drivers have fresh overalls and underwear for each session. #wevegotitcovered
1 month ago
#socialfriday @LJ_Pritchard asks: "Considering the amount drivers must sweat during race, do they have new suits each time or wash them?"
1 month ago
Pit » BUT: "The car behind is Alonso - but he left the garage with you."
1 month ago
Out goes Jenson.
1 month ago
Yellow flags along the pit straight - looks like Karthikeyan's HRT has stopped...
1 month ago
Lewis is now debriefing with Andy Latham.
1 month ago
Don't forget - if you're joining us from Malaysia, you can view the Pitwall in Bahasa Melayu! Pretty cool, eh?
1 month ago
Indeed, Lewis's best of 1m38.021s is half a second clear of the second-fastest car.
1 month ago
Pit » HAM: "Box this lap. Lewis. You are the fastest car on the track."
1 month ago
Hamilton: "Box this lap."
1 month ago
It's a special race formulation of Lucozade - infused with caffeine to improve concentration levels. Oh, and it's raspberry flavour!
1 month ago
#socialfriday @CollieTheOne asks: "What do the drivers drink during the race to keep them hydrated?"
1 month ago
Lewis is currently lapping the circuit - his fastest time so far is a 1m38.598s, just behind VET.
1 month ago
Yes, you tweak the set-up from race to race -it depends on circuit characteristics, downforce level, length of straight etc. Today's work!!
1 month ago
#socialfriday @Tony090280 asks: "Does the car set up differ from the one in Australia?"
1 month ago
Jenson's now debriefing with Dave Robson - his race engineer.
1 month ago
Plenty of people asking about, er, 'excess fluid loss' during the race.... It is known to happen - but not been witnessed in this team!!
1 month ago
Jenson's back in the garage.
1 month ago
Pit » HAM: "15-second gap to the Marussia up ahead. Car behind has just pitted."
1 month ago
Pit » HAM: "Track should be clear - Karthikeyan is the car behind you."
1 month ago
Okay Jenson, box this lap.
1 month ago
And for all those asking, yes, @jensonbutton and @lewishamilton DO read your Tweets during quiet moments in the garage!!!
1 month ago
Jenson's best lap is a 1m39.323s - second fastest behind RAI.
1 month ago
Pit » HAM: "Let's get Lewis in the car."
1 month ago
No, fluid is stored in two flexible panniers inside the seat - and it's operated by a pump into the driver's mouth! #spaceage @lucozadeuk
1 month ago
Lots of questions about hydration today! @joshkavanagh asks: "Where do you keep the driver drinks? Have they got a bottle?" #socialfriday
1 month ago
Jenson's just started a timed lap.
1 month ago
Pit » BUT: "Okay, track position's now good."
1 month ago
Pit » BUT: "The car in front is de la Rosa. We'll need a gap to him."
1 month ago
And Jenson's out. Pleased to note that our car looks just as beautiful here as it did at Albert Park!
1 month ago
That's a popular misconception: Jenson and Lewis may drive differently, but derive their speed from the car and tyres in much the same way.
1 month ago
#socialfriday @mikey_mau5 asks: "Is it a challenge with tire management when you have 2 drivers who use the tires completely differently? "
1 month ago
Pit » BUT: "Not too many cars out there at the moment."
1 month ago
As is customary during P1, both drivers are now back in the garage and we're turning the cars round for their first runs...
1 month ago
Jenson & Lewis also have a special in-car formula with added caffeine to help focus and maintain hydration! #everylittlebithelps @lucozadeuk
1 month ago
Weight loss is from fluid loss: we make sure the drivers drink plenty of liquids during the race weekend. Drivers can lose 3kg in the race.
1 month ago
#social friday @DazRoe asks: "How are the drivers keeping hydrated and do they lose much weight during the race?"
1 month ago
It might be early in the morning back in Europe, but send us your #socialfriday questions!
1 month ago
That's Lewis returned from his install lap and back in the garage.
1 month ago
Hamilton: "Box this lap okay."
1 month ago
Pit » HAM: "Turn 14 and confirm box this lap."
1 month ago
Hamilton: "T9. Loud and clear."
1 month ago
Pit » HAM: "Turn Nine."
1 month ago
Pit » HAM: "Loud and clear. Radio check Turn Four."
1 month ago
Hamilton: "Turn One radio check."
1 month ago
And out blasts Lewis.
1 month ago
We're just adjusting Lewis's mirrors and getting ready for his install run.
1 month ago
1 month ago
This weekend's Pirelli compounds are the Hard and the Medium - it's a more abrasive surface than last weekend.
1 month ago
Pit » BUT: "And box this lap."
1 month ago
Pit » BUT: "That's loud and clear for me."
1 month ago
1 month ago
Pit » BUT: "That's radio check Turn Nine."
1 month ago
1 month ago
Pit » BUT: "Radio check Turn Four."
1 month ago
Pit » BUT: "You have a seven-second gap behind to Hulkenberg."
1 month ago
So the session's now live! Follow The Pitwall at www.mclaren.com/formula1
1 month ago
Pit » BUT: "Straight out please Jenson."
1 month ago
People are asking about breakfast. Early start today, so muesli, fruit juice and plenty of coffee!
1 month ago
Pit » HAM: "Radio is loud and clear, Lewis. Can you hear me okay?"
1 month ago
Pit » BUT: "This will be your install lap."
1 month ago
Don't forget, we'll be answering all your #socialfriday Qs. Send them @thefifthdriver and we'll answer them here!
1 month ago
Jenson already in the car. Lewis just getting suited and booted. Both drivers will be using a unique new Lucozade formulation this weekend.
1 month ago
This is one of the most physically demanding races - for the drivers and the whole team. Luckily, we're kept well hydrated by @lucozadeuk!
1 month ago
Greetings from Sepang! As ever, we're here to bring you all the developments from this morning's P1 session! www.mclaren.com/formula1
1 month ago
If you're a Malaysian fan, click on the flag to the left of this box to go to the Malay translation of our live on-track commentary!
1 month ago
P1 of the Malaysian GP kicks off at 2am UK TIME so make sure to join us here. All weekend we'll be translating the Pitwall into Malay too!
1 month ago
Just hours until the action kicks off at the Sepang Circuit! Join us right here on the McLaren.com Pitwall for all the action.
1 month ago
Lewis and Jenson fuel up on Lucozade for the Malaysian Grand Prix
Meet the latest fruits of the performance partnership between GlaxoSmithKline and Vodafone McLaren Mercedes: cherry and blackcurrant.
2012 Malaysian Grand Prix :: Free Practice
“We’ve got to keep pushing – there’s a lot of hard work ahead”
2012 Malaysian Grand Prix Preview
A regular fixture on the Formula 1 calendar since 1999, the Sepang circuit was the first of the government-funded, Hermann Tilke-designed venues that now prevail in the sport.
McLaren Pitwall local language service begins this weekend
Get closer to the action with our real-time data stream from the Malaysian Grand Prix in both English and Malay
Download our new, free dynamic screensaver!
Get the latest news, tweets and pictures from Vodafone McLaren Mercedes sent straight to your computer – it's your very own Mission Control!
