2007 Malaysian Grand Prix

Previous race

Räikkönen led from lights to flag on his Ferrari debut in Australia, becoming the fourth driver to win on his first start for the Italian team. Alonso finished second and debutant Hamilton third — the highest a rookie has finished in an opening race in the modern era.

Between-race developments

All teams except Spyker attended a three-day pre-race test at Sepang, arriving directly from Melbourne. Kubica, Räikkönen, and Hamilton set the fastest times on days one, two, and three respectively; wet conditions on day four were topped by Kovalainen after the teams agreed to extend the test by a day. Spyker did not attend, believing they could not incorporate upgrades in time for the race.

The FIA introduced more stringent floor deflection tests at this race following McLaren’s request for clarification of the rules governing Ferrari and BMW Sauber’s undertray mounting systems. Massa and Räikkönen said the required modifications would not compromise the F2007’s performance.

Spyker protested Scuderia Toro Rosso’s use of customer cars allegedly designed by Red Bull Racing, citing Concorde Agreement rules that require each team to design its own car. The Malaysian stewards rejected the protest. Red Bull threatened legal action over how Spyker had obtained their car designs, but nothing materialised.

Entrants

Sebastian Vettel (BMW Sauber test driver) and Kazuki Nakajima (Williams test driver) participate in the first free practice session.

Milestones

From this race onward, the softer of the two mandatory tyre compounds is identified by a white stripe painted into the tread — replacing the small white dot used in Australia, which proved impossible to distinguish at race speed.

Practice

Massa sets the pace in both Friday sessions — 1:34.972 in the morning, 1:35.780 in the afternoon. Renault improves dramatically in the second session, with Fisichella second and Kovalainen third; the McLarens drop to ninth and twelfth. Ron Dennis plays down the afternoon times, saying the team is concentrating on tyre evaluation.

Saturday proves him right: Hamilton tops the final practice session with a 1:34.811, a tenth clear of Massa. Alonso is third, a further half-second back. Super Aguri’s Anthony Davidson goes eighth fastest, ahead of both works Honda cars.