The rain came down hard in Sepang before qualifying, delaying the start of the session in fifteen minute increments until almost an hour had passed. The torrential downpour halted enough to allow qualifying to eventually start, although there was still enough moisture in the air and on the track to make wet tyre strategy a crucial part of the proceedings.

Mercedes managed to scoop pole position, but it was Lewis Hamilton who took the top honours. Nico Rosberg was fast enough for third, and the German explains why there was over half a second between the two cars.

"I didn't feel very comfortable on the extreme wet tyres at the end of Q3, especially on the brakes, but I was still able to improve enough to claim third from Fernando which was the positive for me. We’ve definitely improved the way we manage the sessions since Australia, so I was the last car to cross the line, but unfortunately the track didn’t really improve."

Looking ahead to the Grand Prix, however, Rosberg is still feeling confident: "It will definitely be a difficult and eventful race as the weather is predicted to be the same again, but that will give me opportunities to gain some positions. I’m looking forward to the race and I want to get the best out of it, like we did in Melbourne."