With ambient temperatures approaching 40°C and the track hitting 55 degrees in the afternoon session today, there is talk of the Malaysian Grand Prix being the hottest since the 1978 race in Argentina. On that day in Buenos Aires, temperatures soared to such an extent that the fire extinguisher in Mario Andretti’s Lotus actually exploded!

In Malaysia, it is tyres and engines that are likely to suffer more than extinguishers, especially as the majority of drivers will be tackling their second successive race weekend with the same engine as used in Melbourne.

Actually, Michael Schumacher is in an unusual position engine-wise: following an engine change on Saturday in Melbourne and the fact he retired on lap 42 of 57 in the race, he has what Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro technical director Ross Brawn described as “spare mileage.”

This meant the world champion completed more laps than team-mate Rubens Barrichello and was able to carry out most of the tyre evaluation work. The Brazilian did actually complete less laps than intended this afternoon, as he spun into the gravel trap. Fortunately, his F2004 M was returned to the pits and he was able to rattle off a final trio of laps.
 

Even with this limited running, Rubens was able to conclude that his car feels competitive. He posted the seventh quickest time, having completed 11 laps over both sessions. Schumacher did 35 and was unconcerned about lap times, setting the 16th fastest time, while concentrating on doing long runs.

The top three today were Felipe Massa (Sauber,) Juan Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes) and Ricardo Zonta, third driver for Toyota.

Four drivers (both BAR-Honda,) Nick Heidfeld (BMW-Williams) and Cristijan Albers (Minardi) have started this weekend with fresh engines. However, at the start of the weekend, the FIA issued a clarification to the engine change rule aimed at plugging the loophole which allowed engines to be changed after Australia for tactical reasons rather than mechanical failure.