2015 Malaysian Grand Prix

Previous race

Hamilton led Rosberg home in a Mercedes one–two in Australia, with Vettel completing the podium more than 30 seconds back. The race started with only 15 cars on the grid after a series of pre-race withdrawals, and Red Bull immediately voiced frustration with Renault, Christian Horner declaring that Renault were still 100 horsepower short of Mercedes.

Between-race developments

Following Mercedes’ dominant one–two in Australia, Red Bull threatened to leave Formula One if no equalisation measures were taken. Red Bull team principal Horner called on the FIA to invoke a rule allowing intervention when one team or supplier has made an exceptional technical advance. Mercedes executive director Toto Wolff told rivals to “get your fucking head down and work to sort it out.” The future of Renault as an engine supplier is also under debate after their poor opening performance.

The cancellation of the German Grand Prix from the 2015 calendar is confirmed, leaving Germany off the schedule for the first time since 1960.

Fernando Alonso returns to the McLaren cockpit, having missed Australia due to his testing concussion. Valtteri Bottas (Williams) also returns after missing Australia with a back injury sustained during qualifying.

Manor Marussia make their competitive debut at Sepang, having been unable to run in Melbourne.

Entrants

Raffaele Marciello fills in for Felipe Nasr at Sauber during the first practice session.

Tyres

Pirelli supplies the hard compound as the prime tyre and the medium compound as the option.

Weather

Race day temperatures are expected to be very hot, with track temperatures around 61 °C forecast. Rain is possible, though less likely than in previous years due to the race’s earlier start time.

Practice

Rosberg sets the fastest time in the first practice session while Hamilton is sidelined by engine problems. Hamilton recovers to top the second and third sessions. Ferrari prove more competitive than in Australia, coming within 0.4 seconds of the Mercedes in both Friday sessions.

Alonso makes his McLaren début, finishing 14th and 16th in the two Friday sessions and outpacing teammate Jenson Button both times. Manor Marussia participate for the first time but both cars struggle to meet the 107% lap time threshold.