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F1 Malaysia: Lewis Hamilton on top this Friday

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Khatir Soltani
Lewis Hamilton of the McLaren team set the fastest time in both Friday practice sessions at Sepang in preparation for the Grand Prix of Malaysia.

It was hot all day and the track was dry, helping the teams to set up the cars up for the race.

The McLarens and the Mercedes always amongst the quickest in both sessions. Second in the morning, Sebastian Vettel of the Red Bull team was only tenth in the afternoon.

Romain Grosjean (Lotus) was fifth in the morning and Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso) was fifth in the afternoon.

The two HRTs were able to complete several laps and their times would allow them to qualify for Sunday's race.

Grand prix of Malaysia, Sepang
Friday March 23rd, 2012

Classification of the first free practice session*

1 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren MP4/27-Mercedes) - 1'38"021 - 19 laps
2 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB8-Renault) - 1'38"535 - 21
3 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes MGP W03) - 1'38"813 - 21
4 - Michael Schumacher (Mercedes MGP W03) - 1'38"826 - 19
5 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E20-Renault) - 1'38"919 - 17
6 - Mark Webber (Red Bull RB8-Renault) - 1'39"092 - 20
7 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus E20-Renault) - 1'39"128 - 22
8 - Paul di Resta (Force India VJM05-Mercedes) - 1'39"298 - 23
9 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/27-Mercedes) - 1'39"323 - 15
10 - Nico Hulkenberg (Force India VJM05-Mercedes) - 1'39"440 - 19
11 - Valtteri Bottas (Williams FW34-Renault) - 1'39"724 - 23
12 - Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW34-Renault) - 1'39"783 - 23
13 - Felipe Massa (Ferrari F2012) - 1'39"896 - 16
14 - Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber C31-Ferrari) - 1'39"910 - 21
15 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F2012) - 1'39"980 - 23
16 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR7-Ferrari) - 1'40"099 - 23
17 - Heikki Kovalainen (Caterham CT01-Renault) - 1'40"247 - 19
18 - Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR7-Ferrari) - 1'40"469 - 23
19 - Vitaly Petrov (Caterham CT01-Renault) - 1'40"857 - 25
20 - Sergio Perez (Sauber C31-Ferrari) - 1'41"085 - 23
21 - Timo Glock (Marussia MR01-Cosworth) - 1'43"170 - 18
22 - Charles Pic (Marussia MR01-Cosworth) - 1'44"580 - 14
23 - Narain Karthikeyan (HRT F112-Cosworth) - 1’45”360 - 8
24 - Pedro de la Rosa (HRT F112-Cosworth) - 1’45”528 - 18

Classification of the second free practice session*

1 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren MP4/27-Mercedes) - 1'38"172 - 28 laps
2 - Michael Schumacher (Mercedes MGP W03) - 1'38"533 - 34
3 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/27-Mercedes) - 1'38"535 - 29
4 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes MGP W03) - 1'38"696 - 34
5 - Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso STR7-Ferrari) - 1'38"853 - 33
6 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari F2012) - 1'38"891 - 27
7 - Mark Webber (Red Bull RB8-Renault) - 1'39"133 - 29
8 - Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso STR7-Ferrari) - 1'39"297 - 33
9 - Romain Grosjean (Lotus E20-Renault) - 1'39"311 - 22
10 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull RB8-Renault) - 1'39"402 - 25
11 - Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW34-Renault) - 1'39"444 - 35
12 - Nico Hulkenberg (Force India VJM05-Mercedes) - 1'39"464 - 26
13 - Paul di Resta (Force India VJM05-Mercedes) - 1'39"625 - 20
14 - Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber C31-Ferrari) - 1'39"687 - 16
15 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus E20-Renault) - 1'39"696 - 29
16 - Felipe Massa (Ferrari F2012) - 1'40"271 - 27
17 - Bruno Senna (Williams FW34-Renault) - 1'40"678 - 34
18 - Sergio Perez (Sauber C31-Ferrari) - 1'40"947 - 33
19 - Vitaly Petrov (Caterham CT01-Renault) - 1'41"464 - 25
20 - Timo Glock (Marussia MR01-Cosworth) - 1'41"681 - 20
21 - Heikki Kovalainen (Caterham CT01-Renault) - 1'42"594 - 18
22 - Charles Pic (Marussia MR01-Cosworth) - 1'42"874 - 24
23 - Narain Karthikeyan (HRT F112-Cosworth) - 1'43"658 - 18
24 - Pedro de la Rosa (HRT F112-Cosworth) - 1'44"283 - 22

* Unofficial results

Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
As a car enthusiast, he tests and compares vehicles from different categories through the eyes of the consumer, ensuring relevant and objective reviews.
  • Over 6 years experience as a car reviewer
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