The Malaysian Grand Prix is dropping off the calendar after this season, so the 2017 round held at the Sepang circuit will be the last for the forseeable future. That means it's your job, if not your duty, to make the most of it as we probably won't see its like for a while. Hot, humid, rainy and a real challenge, Sepang sorts the drivers into those that can and those that wish they could. Who will conquer the beast for the final time?

Event schedule

Six races to go before the championship is over and a winner has been crowned - who will it be? The events of Singapore have thrust the momentum even further in the direction of Lewis Hamilton, who now has a commanding but not unsurmountable championship lead. Sebastian Vettel has all the work to do to claw back some of the gap, and the first task will be getting through lap one.

The collision in Singapore was ridiculous and incredible in equal measure - three of the leading cars out in unnecessary circumstances. Hopefully everyone learned lessons and will move on well from this, but equally I hope the run to the first corner isn't too tentative this time out.

Meanwhile, there have been driver changes happening with Pierre Gasly getting a chance to prove his worth in the Toro Rosso, sitting in for Daniil Kvyat. Sainz knows what he's up to next season, but his departure leaves a spare seat at the Scuderia, and it's all to play for in showing the bosses what you've got.

Support racing for this event includes FIA Formula 4 SEA, Porsche Carrera Cup and Malaysia Championship Series.

Expected conditions

It will come as no surprise to anyone (except perhaps the FIA?) that there are thunderstorms forecast for all three days of the Formula One weekend in Malaysia. The traditional weather pattern is for a complete deluge to flood the track but for it to end as quickly as it started - the only real question is, will it happen before, after or during the actual sessions themselves?

Circuit history

The Malaysian Grand Prix used to feature towards the beginning of the race calendar but its move to the end has put it firmly in place to become a key point in the championship fight. The race coming directly after Singapore has also given drivers an interesting challenge, as the two events are very different. One night race on a sprawling street circuit under bright lights, the other a high speed race on a purpose built track with fast cornering speeds and high temperatures to deal with.

At this point in the season, the cars are starting to struggle - long-life components are giving up and the penalties are hitting home. Sepang can be a tough ask on battered machinery, with plenty of throttle and braking to deal with, as well as high loads through the fast corners and of course, the ever-present threat of overheating.

Traditionally, the track favours Ferrari, but Red Bull have also scored good results here. Fernando Alonso has also enjoyed the fruits of Malaysian success, but is perhaps unlikely to repeat any of his three wins this weekend.

Tyre compounds

The resurfacing that was completed in Malaysia caused chaos last year, as the surface was as new and totally inconsistent with data gathered in previous years. This season, it's going to be similar, as the asphalt will have bedded in some more and provide an entirely new set of challenges.

Pirelli chief Mario Isola says: "This year we are bringing the softest selection of tyres ever seen in Malaysia, which we expect to result in even faster lap times, with the supersoft used there for the first time. Consequently, all previous strategy calculations will have to be adjusted, making the work done in free practice particularly important."

Selected tyre sets per driver

Lewis Hamilton	1	5	7
Valtteri Bottas	2	4	7
Daniel Ricciardo	1	4	8
Max Verstappen	1	3	9
Sebastian Vettel	1	3	9
Kimi Räikkönen	1	3	9
Sergio Pérez	1	4	8
Esteban Ocon	1	4	8
Felipe Massa	1	2	10
Lance Stroll	1	2	10
Fernando Alonso	1	2	10
Stoffel Vandoorne	1	2	10
Carlos Sainz	1	4	8
Pierre Gasly	1	4	8
Romain Grosjean	1	5	7
Kevin Magnussen	2	4	7
Nico Hülkenberg	1	3	9
Jolyon Palmer	1	3	9
Pascal Wehrlein	1	5	7
Marcus Ericsson	2	4	7

Press conference schedule

Official press conferences are organised by the FIA and happen four times during the weekend. The qualifying and post race press conferences will take place after the television unilateral interviews.

Race stewards

The FIA stewarding process includes a former F1 driver to offer added insight. These stewards are overseeing the weekend's action.