Malaysian Grand Prix, FLASH Preview: Updated Weather and Times

Thursday statements

Fernando Alonso: «I am happy to be able to start this new Formula One championship. I arrive one race later than I had planned, after the accident in Barcelona the doctors ordered me to rest. This Grand Prix has always brought me excellent placings, here I achieved my first pole in 2003, my first podium as well as three victories with three different teams. I know that this year it will be difficult to repeat the glories of the other seasons given the current situation but for the moment I'm just happy to be able to get behind the wheel of the car and have fun during the weekend. I have only done 500 kilometers aboard the MP4-30 and we need to keep our feet on the ground, recognizing that we are not in the position we want. It will therefore be a further test for me, I will have to learn some things about the car given the little time spent on it as well as the driving style to adopt, but also to see how McLaren works during the weekends. There are a lot of things I need to learn and it's a big challenge at this point in my career, but I'm ready to face it."

Kimi Rӓikkӧnen: «We are certainly in a better position than at the end of last season, which is good, but we still need to improve. We want to be up front and at the moment we don't have a top speed that allows us to do so, as can be seen in qualifying. However, in the race, compared to the Mercedes, we manage to be a little more competitive. However, I think this will be a fun year, obviously the start wasn't the best with a contact at the start of the race in Australia and then the retirement, but this is part of racing, at least we know we have good speed. This year's single-seater has been completely revised, not just the engine or one area in particular, but overall there has been a big evolutionary step. Everyone within the team is working well and in the right direction. As I said, these are only the first days, there is still hard work to do and improve in different areas, so far we have done a good job.»

Carlos Sainz Jr.: «In Australia I made a good debut and I'm very happy with it. Obviously the result obtained gave me a motivating boost and self-confidence to continue working hard and improving because I'm sure I still have a lot to do. I had a lot of attention on me from my team and Red Bull, even though I was primarily expecting something myself. I don't think my teammate (Max Verstappen, ed.) had more or less on him than me, I think we are on the same level in terms of expectations and in the end it was a good weekend.»

Felipe Nasr: «The result achieved in Australia was unique if I have to be honest, coming after a turbulent weekend. My first weekend in Formula One didn't start off in the ideal way, having to go to court and everything, not taking part in FP1 on a circuit I've never tried. It was nice to come fifth at the end of the race, I think that was also what the team needed. It was an important signal to show that the team is ready, that I am ready to put the problems aside and give my all in the race. Although I knew my car had good potential, I didn't think I could keep up with Ricciardo's Red Bull, it was a surprise! The powertrain was significantly improved over the winter. We must try to get the most out of these first races to know where we can improve the most until the end of the season."

Daniel Kvyat: «I think that only tomorrow we will see if there have been any improvements compared to Australia, I hope so. The whole team is working hard to resolve the difficult situation we find ourselves in, we are doing our best to be able to reach the positions that matter once again. I believe this circuit is challenging for all riders, as it is famous for its heat. It turned out to suit my characteristics and I like driving in it although I've only been here a few times. It has some fast sections that we riders like. I look forward to this weekend with confidence in the hope of continuing to make progress."

Nico Rossberg: «The difference between our fastest lap and that of the other teams was notable, but I don't think the same can be said regarding the race. I am referring in particular to Kimi, who completed some good stints in the race in Melbourne, so I believe that Ferrari has closed a large part of the gap that separated us last year and is more competitive than our direct rivals from last year. What will the gaps be like here? Hard to say, it's too early, we'll see. To beat Lewis, being faster than him in qualifying is the first step, after all we have the same car. Then there are other variables such as tire management and the strategies to choose, so overtaking him during the race is also possible, there could be a small margin in which we can try to launch a better attack.»

Matteo Bramati, Andrea Villa