2002 Malaysian Grand Prix

Championship standings

Michael Schumacher leads with 10 points after Australia, four clear of Montoya and six ahead of Räikkönen. Ferrari lead the Constructors’ Championship over Williams and McLaren.

Previous race

Australia opened with a mass accident at the first corner: Barrichello braked early, Ralf Schumacher launched over his Ferrari, and eight cars were caught up in the debris. The safety car was deployed but the race was not stopped — a decision that drew criticism from several teams. Schumacher recovered to win; Räikkönen finished third for his first career podium. Frentzen and Bernoldi were both disqualified for pit lane infringements.

Between-race developments

In the two weeks since Australia, six teams conducted testing at European circuits. Bridgestone’s Burti tested the F2001 at Ferrari’s Fiorano facility. Williams and Renault spent three days at Silverstone. Toyota ran a two-day electrical and mechanical test at Paul Ricard with test driver Stéphane Sarrazin. McLaren test driver Jean Alesi also spent three days at Paul Ricard testing Michelin tyres. Arrows, Jaguar, Jordan, Minardi, and Sauber did not test.

Phoenix Finance — which attempted to race Prost AP04 cars in Australia using drivers Tarso Marques and Gastón Mazzacane but was refused entry by the FIA — is not expected to enter here. The FIA ruled the organisation had not properly purchased Prost Grand Prix’s entry rights.

Ferrari again sends F2001B cars to Sepang. Toyota’s Mika Salo had severe flu ahead of the race, with test driver Ryan Briscoe on standby; Salo recovered in time to compete.

Car upgrades

Michelin introduces a new tyre compound developed specifically for the hot Sepang conditions. Renault upgrades their qualifying engine and revises the rear wing, extractor profile, and rear suspension components. Jaguar has a new engine and aerodynamic updates.

Practice

Four sessions in hot, humid conditions, with a smoky haze from forest fires in four Peninsular Malaysian states hanging over the circuit on Friday. Schumacher led the morning session; Räikkönen was fastest in the afternoon.

Coulthard was sidelined for most of the first session after the right-rear bodywork of his McLaren caught fire from an overheating exhaust, leaving him to push the car back to the pits. Webber’s engine failed on the out-lap of the second session. Barrichello’s engine also failed with 15 minutes of the second session remaining. Frentzen’s oil line fractured before the third session, preventing him from setting a time; a fire at the rear of his car ended the fourth session early for him.