Malaysia GP: Rosberg atop the leaderboard in FP1

Nico Rosberg led the way in a contrasting FP1 for the Mercedes team. The German driver finished P1, +0.373s ahead of the Ferrari’s Raikkonen and +0.861 ahead of Sebastian Vettel, as Lewis Hamilton stopped on track due to engine-related issues.

FP1 started with a Manor out on track right away - fantastic job for the team after such hard work. Bravo, team. Afterwards it was all good job and positive feedback as Stevens and Merhi’s first ever laps were only 6 and 7 seconds slower than Jenson Button’s McLaren.

Malaysia’s first practice also saw the return of Fernando Alonso and Valtteri Bottas, and the first laps for Raffaele Marciello — in Nasr’s place — to become the 100th Italian to take part in a GP weekend.

The top ten in the first practice at Kuala Lumpur then:
1. Rosberg — 1:40.124
2. Raikkonen — +0.373
3. Vettel — +0.861
4. Grosjean — +1.419
5. Sainz — +1.472
6. Ricciardo — +1.663
7. Verstappen — +1.679
8. Bottas — +1.758
9. Kvyat — +1.931
10. Ericsson — +1.940