Vettel takes shock win over Hamilton

Also, very honest interview from Nico Rosberg, who kept asking his team to describe the picture of the race over the radio.

"I struggle to understand what's going on," admits the German. But David Coulthard isn't that impressed.

"Fair play to Nico for being so open and honest - but it's a bit confusing," says the BBC pundit. "Because there isn't that much to work out. You only have two compounds of tyres and you know where stand with your team-mate. So it's either he's suddenly found turn of pace or is on softer tyres if he starts pulling away from you.

"We have all built Nico up as a thinker, the engineer behind the wheel, while pegging Lewis as the raw racer. But that interview exposes Nico to be vulnerable and confused."

A few more words from Lewis Hamilton before we head off: "We didn't expect so many cars to stay out (at the start) there were so many cars to get through and trying to catch Sebastian (was tough) he had great pace. It was too big a gap to close up.

On his angry radio message: "He (Paddy Lowe) was asking am I going to another stop, that was my last stop so it confused me, that was not helpful. The prime tyre did not feel good, it was better on the option.

"We were not expecting them to be as quick as they were. We were hoping to push for a one-two. Vettel is up there with us, I really don't know how it will evolve in the next race."

Right, we are just about done for today. A re-run of the Malaysian Grand Prix will be on BBC One at 14:00 BST while you can have a read of the race report by chief F1 writer Andrew Benson.

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Former Benetton driver Jos Verstappen after watching 17-year-old son Max become the youngest points scorer in F1 history: "I'm very pleased for what he has done today. I'm happy that he finished the race and the way he raced, he deserved it. I'm very proud.

Is dad or son the better racing driver? "He certainly is. Max is more complete. He is better prepared than me and Red Bull are doing an incredible job, physically, mentally and the way he feels at home on the track. He has to be better than me!"

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91 - Michael Schumacher

51 - Alain Prost

41 - Ayrton Senna

40 - Sebastian Vettel

34 - Lewis Hamilton

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Red Bull team principal Christian Horner on his former driver Sebastian Vettel's first win for Ferrari: "On a personal note it is fantastic for him - it was classic Sebastian Vettel today. He made the tyres work, on a different strategy, Ferrari had tremendous durability. And then once Sebastian is in the lead we've seen so many times what he is capable of. He's got his feel back and his confidence is high. Hopefully we can give him a harder time soon."

McLaren's British driver Jenson Button, who failed to finish the race: "I think you can see we're improving - we're actually racing now and closing on the pack in front. You can see where our strengths and weaknesses are. It was a useful day, just a pity we both finished early."

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Earlier we asked if you felt Ferrari could challenge for titles this season.

The vote is closed and the majority of you think they can, with 56% feeling they can give Mercedes a real run for their money.

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Fernando Alonso retired on lap 18 in his first race back at McLaren. Having moved from Ferrari at the end of last year, I wonder what he is thinking right now?

Imagine having Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene's sporting CV. Not only does he run one of the greatest names in F1, he is also a board member at Italian football champions Juventus.

"I'm doing three things next week," he tells Malaysian GP Forum on BBC Red Button. "I'm going to Maranello, doing a new tattoo and watching Juventus. I can't tell you where I'm having the tattoo!"

Alan Wood: Well done Vettel and Ferrari. Love Ferrari, glad to see them win again. Didn't like Vettel before but love seeing him in a Ferrari and well done Kimi to finish 4th after what happened. Keep it up for the rest of the season.

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The win brought an end to Ferrari's longest winless streak (34) since Alain Prost's Spanish GP victory in 1990 to Gerhard Berger's 1994 win at the German Grand Prix.

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Former Netherlands and Chelsea midfielder Ruud Gullit: "Very proud of the 17-year-old Max Verstappen. He had a great race Grand Prix of Malaysia."

Jamie Macdonald: Should Kimi have more fortune in future races could we see a four way shoot out for the championship between Ferrari and Mercedes?

Gary Cox: Will we see Vettel challenge for the championship with Mercedes and could we see Raikkonen at the top spot.

Darren: Is it just me or did Ferrari's win have a a lot to do do with Mercedes making the total wrong tyre choice on there first pit stop?

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Toro Rosso's Max Verstappen: "It was a good day. The first few laps were a bit difficult for me, I struggled a bit with the brakes and the tyres. But when we went on to hard tyres, it worked much better, I found good balance and good rhythm. From there, the car felt great."

Aside from a brilliant result for Ferrari there was an excellent display by Max Verstappen.

The 17-year-old, who Eddie Jordan believes has the potential to be as good as Michael Schumacher, became the youngest-ever points scorer in Formula 1 by finishing a hugely impressive seventh.

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Mercedes non-executive chairman Niki Lauda, who won two drivers' championships for Ferrari in 1975 and 1977: "What did I always say about Ferrari? Just wait. I was surprised by the pace of the Ferrari at the end but Vettel did an incredible job. They were unbeatable. They had the right pit stop strategy and Vettel's speed was outstanding."

On Mercedes' performance: "We have to analyse whole thing. I don't think we could have won race even with the Ferrari strategy. The Ferrari car was quicker and better. We have to take our hat off to them."

Are Ferrari genuine title contenders? "It looks like it now - but let's wait for Shanghai."

Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff: "We've got a massive battle out there. It is a wake up call for us."

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As Lewis Hamilton stormed to victory in the season opener in Australia there were plenty of people, unsurprisingly, expecting another Mercedes-dominant season.

This result has certainly put the cat amongst the pigeons. It is the first time that a non-Mercedes car has topped any session in any race weekend since Singapore in September last year.

Rich: The result is what F1 needs right now. Mercedes did not seem to have a post Safety car strategy and as a team seemed to panic through the rest of race.

Press Association's F1 journalist Ian Parkes: "Sensational result for Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel. Moreover, a real shot in the arm for F1 following more negativity this year."

Harkirth Gill: Fair play to Vettel put in a great drive today. Should have a good fight for the championship.

Gracie Samuels: Congrats to Vettel, however, lets not carried away, commentators and Ferrari behaving as if they have won the championship, calm down

Time to vote people. Can Ferrari challenge for the constructors' and drivers' titles this season?

Have your say by clicking yes or no on the right side of this page (desktop) or by clicking on the 'vote' tab on mobile or tablet. Terms and conditions.

Ferrari technical director James Allison on BBC One: "After the difficulties of last year, the amount of effort that has gone in to try turn it around is extraordinary.

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"This sport is mainly misery, then now and again you get an incredible rush which makes all the misery well worth it. It makes you feel utterly fantastic."

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Sebastian Vettel's win was the 75th for a German driver with Ferrari, 72 of those were Michael Schumacher's wins.

The Mirror's Formula 1 correspondent Byron Young: Remarkable result by Sebastian Vettel really given the expectation on his shoulders as a Ferrari driver.

Rian Hoskins: Even if you aren't a fan of Vettel, you have to admit it was a great drive. Looks like he, Ferrari and Raikkonen back to form.

Ian Howard: The body language on the podium is fascinating. Lewis is so comfortable, seated. Seb elated and Nico moody/frustrated while standing.

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Victory for Sebastian Vettel makes him the most successful driver in Malaysian GP history with four wins, surpassing Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso.

How's Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene feeling after ending the team's drought in just the second race of 2015? Jumping for joy? Punching the air with delight?

Nope he is looking cool and calm as he strolls through the paddock, telling Tom Clarkson: "I can be surprised but I was hoping to have a good result.

"I am normally not very emotional at all but I am very happy. Vettel was fantastic."

Chamath De Silva: Emotional yet impressive win for Vettel. Good to see Ferrari winning again.

David Chambers: Vettel came across as likable during that podium interview. Strange what a pair of red overalls can do.

More from race winner Sebastian Vettel: "Last year was not a good year for me, it was a great car but I struggled to extract performance from it. This car suits me very well.

"It was a big change last year but the team welcomed me from the very first day. When the gate opened at Maranello it was like a dream come true. The last time I was there I watched Michael Schumacher over the fence and now I'm driving that red car."

Nico Rosberg, who finished third: "All I can say on behalf of my team is 'game on Ferrari'. Not sure about exact details of our strategy - it was complex out there. I'm sure we did a good job. But congratulations to Sebastian."

Lewis Hamilton, who finished second: "Huge congratulations to Ferrari and Sebastian - I gave it everything I could but their pace was excellent. We knew that Ferrari had made a step but didn't know how big - they were too quick today."

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Sebastian Vettel's win ends a 34-race drought for Ferrari, which extends back to the Spanish GP in May 2013.

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Race winner Sebastian Vettel: "It has been a while since I've been on top step and obviously the first time with Ferrari. I'm speechless. I'm happy and proud of today. We beat them fair and square and it is a special day - that is why I am emotional."

Of course it can, it's our very Eddie Jordan!

Let's hear what the drivers have to say.

Sebastian Vettel sprays champagne over Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg as he celebrates his 40th race win like it is his first.

Who will be up to conduct the podium interviews? Can it top Arnold Schwarzenegger...

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Sebastian Vettel can't keep his face straight as he stands on the podium giggling away while the national anthems are played. For a man who was for so long used to winning, having that feeling back again is clearly overwhelming.

Plenty of respect shown between winner Sebastian Vettel and championship leader Lewis Hamilton as they prepare to walk out on to the podium. "So good, so quick!" says Hamilton to his rival.

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Sebastian Vettel leaps on to his car and laps up the applause. A first win for him since Brazil in 2013, and he is loving it.

"Vettel is celebrating like he has won the World Championship!"

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11) Grosjean 12) Nasr 13) Perez 14) Hulkenberg 15) Merhi

"Thoroughly well deserved by Vettel and Ferrari. An incredible performance. They have trounced the opposition with this performance."

Pure unbridled joy over the Ferrari team radio. "Yes, yes, yes, yes. Great drive, great drive. Ferrari is back, fantastico!" an Italian voice tells Sebastian Vettel.

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1) Vettel 2) Hamilton 3) Rosberg 4) Raikkonen 5) Bottas 6) Massa 7) Verstappen 8) Sainz 9) Kvyat 10) Ricciardo

"Woooooohoooo!" screams Sebastian Vettel. "Grazie! Grazie! Grazie!"

I think he's happy...

Sebastian Vettel punches the air with delight, what a race from the former world champion! A first win for Ferrari since 2013.

Sebastian Vettel is coasting to victory here, 10.2 seconds separate him and Lewis Hamilton heading into the last lap and what a statement this will be from Ferrari.

A closely fought battle between the Williams of Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas. Bottas tries to get the better of Massa but can't and has to back off, but then has another attempt...and succeeds and he is into fifth.

"Unless unreliability plays its part, I think we have the podium fixed."

Nico Rosberg has third consolidated with Kimi Raikkonen 38 seconds behind. Two Mercedes on the podium it would seem but there will still be disappointment in their garage. They'll have wanted, and expected, the win.

Richard, Bedford: Funny how the Lewis-haters come out to play when he doesn't win. He has driven another great race against poor team tyre choice. Ferrari quick but not there yet. Great race though....

"Hamilton needs to do something Houdini like to close this gap - unless Vettel has an issue."

Pastor Maldonado is out of the race. After retiring in the first race in Australia he has now failed to complete the opening two races of any season he has competed in.

At the business end of the field, Sebastian Vettel leads Lewis Hamilton by 10.6 seconds...

Meanwhile, Manor are on course to get their sole car in this race to the end, Roberto Merhi is currently in 15th with five laps to go.

Lewis Hamilton shaves 0.6 seconds off Sebastian Vettel's advantage but that will not be enough to catch him before the finish. The Ferrari leads by 10.2s.

This is like watching the Vettel of old, calming and confidently winding his way round the Sepang circuit as he closes in on victory.

"We're going to have to get Nico Rosberg a highlights package of the race so he can see what has happened - he has spent a lot of time wondering what is going on around him. The first priority is concentrating on what is happening directly in front of you. The team radio gives you a psychological boost but does not give you pure performance at the next corner."

Nico Rosberg is eight seconds behind Lewis Hamilton, currently in second. He asks about how the race is going in general and is told all the other drivers have made their stops.

Here's the Vettel overtake on Rosberg if you want to remind yourself how good he has been here.

Plus the Kvyat and Hulkenberg collision.

Ian, Plymouth: Perhaps Christian Horner will now stop talking about Mercedes' dominance!

Max Verstappen is firmly on course to be the youngest ever points scorer in Formula 1. He is in P8 and is looking to get even higher as he closes in on another rookie, Carlos Sainz.

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It does not bode well when even the team is impressed by their direct rival for the win...

TEN LAPS TO GO. Is Sebastian Vettel going to do it? Lewis Hamilton is making ground but is not making big enough inroads into Vettel's lead - which is still 11 seconds - and he might just run out of laps unless he can find something extra.

"We're witnessing something special in this two-stop strategy from Vettel. Some, myself included, were disappointed how he handled last season, but boy is he back - what a display!

"This declared love affair with Ferrari has come together a lot quicker than I could have imagined."

Personal bests in the first two sectors for Lewis Hamilton and he completes the lap with a 1:43.1, cutting Sebastian Vettel's advantage down to 11 seconds.

"Blue flag, blue flag," repeats Sebastian Vettel over the radio as he closes in on Nico Hulkenberg and Romain Grosjean, ready to lap them.

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Ratcatcher: Yep. Hamilton can only race when he has the best car in optimal conditions. Give him even a slight challenge & he has a tantrum.

Reece Young: Hamilton in the zone; tells his engineers to leave him alone. Doesn't sound happy.

Joshua Geake: Hamilton's worst enemy beginning to reappear again: himself.

Lewis Hamilton is not happy. His team tell him what he needs to do to catch Sebastian Vettel, drawing this tetchy response: "Hey man, don't talk to me through the corners. I almost went off." Team radio gold.

Jenson Button is in and that is his race run to complete a frustrating day for McLaren.

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Nico Rosberg is in for his final pit stop and is back out in third on medium tyres.

Jenson Button is still going as he looks to claw his way into the points, but what's this? "I've lost power, lost power," a worried-sound Button reports. The McLaren is gingerly making its way round the circuit. Another McLaren retiring?

Max Verstappen is on to the grass as he tries to enter the pits. Lewis Hamilton sets a new fastest lap and takes a nibble of Sebastian Vettel's advantage.

Hamilton is sounding increasingly frustrated, as this exchange over the team radio shows....

Hamilton: "I don't know what I'm supposed to be doing. Paddy says I might be doing another stop."

Team radio: "That was miscommunication. That was just chatter."

"Hamilton ran the prime tyres earlier so he didn't have to put that tyre back on. It's going to neutralise any pace advantage in the tyres. He's going to have do this on outright pace - and Mercedes haven't had it this afternoon. But in these super hot conditions Ferrari have come into their own. It has been very impressive from Vettel."

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Lewis Hamilton pits for hard tyres but he is still not feeling it. "Wrong tyres man," he says.

Meanwhile a new fastest lap for Sebastian Vettel. It is surely his race to win.

Lewis Hamilton leads but he is sounding worried. "Tyres not feeling," good he says over the radio.

"I think Ferrari could do this."

"Rosberg is having an below-par Malaysian Grand Prix, frankly."

Sebastian Vettel makes his second stop, puts on fresh hard tyres and is back out in second, just ahead of Nico Rosberg.

Reece Young: Don't think Ferrari are as close as the race has led us to believe. Bad strategy calls have punished Mercedes but they may still win.

Andy Moakes: Hamilton should pit now to get the better tyres and close up to Vettel and battle for the win.

Waѕiyullah Budye: This is fascinating stuff from world champion Hamilton as gap down to 15sec! He's beast!

Sergio Perez takes his 10 second penalty while Kimi Raikkonen, after making his second stop, gets the better of Max Verstappen and is up to sixth.

Jenson Button is up to 11th, 2.2 seconds behind Sergio Perez, before Button pits. Meanwhile, the gap between Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton is down to 14 seconds.

Max Verstappen is back up to sixth, where he started the race. Valtteri Bottas is trying to get beyond him but the 17-year-old is holding his ground well.

A Ferrari leading the way, spins, battles throughout the field and an impressive performance from a teenage rookie. Cracking race!

Adam Craig: Everything is happening in this race! Especially as most of the cars are still going!

Neil Gough: This is actually a great Grand Prix. Never expected it so soon in the season given Australia was only two weeks ago.

Charlie: Ironic that everyone is praising Vettel for breaking the monotony at the front... #howtimeschange

"It's not a corner that you usually see overtaking. Grosjean was wide on the dirt, relying on Perez lifting out. It was a situation where if you don't get off the usual racing line and give space there will be contact. It was a high-risk strategy."

Penalties are being handed out left, right and centre as Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez are given 10 second penalties for causing collisions.

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Romain Grosjean's spin means Jenson Button is up to 13th. Good stuff so far from the McLaren.

Meanwhile, at the front of the pack, Lewis Hamilton has brought Sebastian Vettel's advantage down to 16 seconds. Whatever happens in this race, though, the Ferraris have certainly made Mercedes sit up and take notice.

Ben, Essex: I'd like to think today will finally put to bed that Vettel can only 'do it' in an Adrian Newey car. Come on Seb!

McLaren's Fernando Alonso, who retired on lap 21: "The car went better than expected until the retirement. To be able to run with the pack and even catch the Red Bulls before the pit stops was nice surprise. We had some technical issues which we are investigating but it has been a nice weekend. If we keep this rate up, we will enjoy success very soon."

Romain Grosjean gets tagged by Sergio Perez, sending the Lotus into a cheeky 360 spin. He recovers and gets back on his way in his battle to score points. He is currently down in 14th.

James Townsend: Some of those people cheering when Vettel took Hamilton were probably moaning when Vettel was dominating back in 2011/2013.

Rob Douglas-Reeves: Wonder how Alonso feels? His old Ferrari..has become a Ferrari again, his McLaren has become a....well a UnReliant Robin!

A train of cars is building up behind eighth-placed Nico Hulkenberg, leading to this gem from Jenson Button on the team radio...

"I'm a little bit surprised - we seem to be catching cars. Quite a few cars," says the Briton.

Nico Rosberg was back out in fourth but quickly on the back of Kimi Raikkonen, eventually making his move along the pit straight and he is into P3. Ahead of him, Lewis Hamilton is 19.3 seconds behind Sebastian Vettel. "What's our target," he asks over team radio. "We are going for the win."

Mirror journalist Byron Young: Fascinating battle for victory and VET certainly making the Mercs work. 20s ahead, one pit stop behind. Order: VET, HAM, RAI, ROS. 15-JB

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Daniil Kvyat gets beyond his Red Bull team-mate Daniel Ricciardo at Turn One but that work is undone as his sent spinning by Nico Hulkenberg.

Lewis Hamilton returns with medium tyres and is back out in third. That turns into second as Nico Rosberg heads in, but stays on the hard tyre.

"You see Hamilton right on the edge of the grass before he comes in to the pit lane. Why did they decide to go on that tyre - was it overconfidence? I can't recall a time in 2014 Mercedes being overtaken by another car unless they had technical problems."

This is stunning stuff from Sebastian Vettel! He is right on Lewis Hamilton and just as he makes the overtake Hamilton opts to into the pits. Mercedes are looking rattled.

"That was brave from Verstappen - and that was brilliant. He goes to the outside on the braking as the Red Bull goes defensive. He lets the car roll, it is a wide corner and there's plenty of space down the inside. Professionally driven."

Great stuff from teenage rookie Max Verstappen as he gets the better of Daniel Ricciardo and moves into P10, Nico Hulkenberg is just ahead of him.

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McLaren: A disappointing end to Fernando's #F1 return - the team has had to retire his car.

The gap between Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel is just 1.9 seconds, but that is rapidly coming down.

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Nico Rosberg can't hold off the Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel sails past the Mercedes at the final turn. Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso's race is run. He is told to box.

"Both of you have one more stop to make, Seb is on newer tyres, he will push you," Nico Rosberg is told over team radio. "Does that mean if he gets past me he has won," Rosberg asks. Vettel is gaining rapidly.

Sauber's Marcus Ericsson, who spun out of the race on lap three: "It was my mistake. I was trying to get past Nico, I was too late on brakes and locked up the rear. It's frustrating."

Gavin: Mercedes looking too powerful for Ferrari...was a valiant defence whilst it lasted.

Wendy Pankhurst: Much more of a race this week - good to see Ferrari doing so well after a few years in the shadows.

Ross Middleton: I've never been convinced by Perez. He shines bright on his day but he seems so inconsistent. The antithesis of his team mate

Sebastian Vettel's stop means Lewis Hamilton returns to the front of the pack and he has a 7.3 second advantage over Nico Rosberg, whose main concern at the moment might be the Ferrari behind him with Sebastian Vettel making up ground...

"We think Hamilton is going to make three stops, but Mercedes' strategists will be thinking hard about that."

Vettel looks to be two-stopping

"That's a great stop by Vettel and Ferrari. Because that was 23 seconds, with a 2.4 second stop, which is not quite a world record, but that time is good for a 140m pit lane."

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Sebastian Vettel heads in for the first time in the race, pitting from the lead and takes on more mediums. Just a 2.4 second stop for Ferrari and he is back out in third.

Meanwhile, Pastor Maldonado, in 15th, is given a 10-second time penalty for exceeding the safety car time.

Nico Hulkenberg makes his first stop of the day, strapping on the medium tyres and heading back out in front of Romain Grosjean in 16th.

Nico Rosberg is now up to third so now Sebastian Vettel leads the two Mercedes but he is still to make his first stop of the race.

Kimi Raikkonen is into the pits and it is a smooth stop for the Finn. After some nightmare stops in Australia, Ferrari put in the practice on Friday and it looks to have been time well spent.

Words of encouragement for race leader Sebastian Vettel on the team radio. "This is good, keep doing this," the German is told.

Oli: Wow the Ferrari's pace is very impressive! Would be good to see them challenge!!

Sebastian Vettel leads Lewis Hamilton by 9.4 seconds at the end of lap 13.

Vettel's Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen is also making progress after his early puncture. He is 12th, with Daniil Kvyat just over a second ahead of him.

Some great attacking by Lewis Hamilton has he overtook three cars in as many minutes. His Mercedes team-mate, Nico Rosberg, is also climbing - up into fifth. "Keep pushing these cars Nico," comes the message over the radio.

Paul: Benny the Bengal is enjoying the #F1 this week.

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"That was exactly where Hamilton is the more natural driver - wheel to wheel. He's more decisive and the other drivers feel that."

Max Verstappen can become the youngest points scorer in Formula 1 today but he is down to 10th now as Valtteri Bottas gets the better of him at Turn One.

Ryan Blythe: Shaping up to be an interesting race this. Still fancy Hamilton winning it.

Lewis Hamilton charges past Romain Grosjean with ease. Nico Hulkenberg is his next target, and he gets him at the final corner. Second now.

Mercedes engineer on the team radio to Nico Rosberg: "The cars around you are on option tyre. You're one of the few on prime."

Lewis Hamilton attacks Carlos Sainz for fourth at Turn One...and makes it. He now has Romain Grosjean in his sights. Nico Rosberg is also making his move, getting beyond Felipe Massa into seventh.

Jordan Baker: Nice to see Vettel leading a race again, probably won't lead to a win but fingers crossed.

Alex Withington: On that restart lap we've just seen the difference between Lewis and Nico. When Lewis gets a chance, he takes it.

Sebastian Vettel leads Nico Hulkenberg by 6.8 seconds at the front, with Romain Grosjean and Carlos Sainz third and fourth respectively. Lewis Hamilton is right on the back of Sainz, though.

Meanwhile, movement for the McLarens, with Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso 15th and 14th respectively.

Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg are the only drivers in the top 10 on hard tyres. Rosberg is told to "give everything he needs to" with Sergio Perez ahead of him. Felipe Massa is now up to seventh but reports that the engine is not giving him any power.

Lewis Hamilton on Mercedes' team radio: "It's going to be hot out here for the tyres."

The safety car heads in and we are back racing again. Nico Rosberg, in ninth, is straight on the attack with Felipe Massa ahead of him.

Pantis Papaloizou: The safety car only benefits Rosberg.

James Rowe: A rather dull first few laps made worse by the safety car. The Sauber could've been cleared with the virtual safety car.

At the moment Sebastian Vettel leads ahead of Nico Hulkenberg, Romain Grosjean, Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez. Lewis Hamilton is sixth.

Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg are into the pits to bolt on the hard tyre. Felipe Massa, Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat are also in from the leading pack but Sebastian Vettel stays out.

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A huge spin from Marcus Ercisson into the gravel at Turn One and the safety car is deployed...

"That's the worst place to get a puncture - just past the end of the pit lane. Raikkonen has to do an entire lap. The tyre will roll off the rim but hopefully not do any damage to the body work. Otherwise he might have aerodynamic issues. It could be a long afternoon for Raikkonen."

Felipe Nasr has to go in for a new nose as result of that clash while Max Verstappen has dropped to ninth, having started from sixth.

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Oh no! It gets worse for Kimi Raikkonen as he gets a puncture after nudge from Felipe Nasr just as he passes the pits. He has to complete almost an entire lap before he gets back in.

Andy Moakes: Now will Vettel hold up Rosberg and let Hamo get away?

Pastor Maldonado: "I've got a puncture."

Kimi Raikkonen, who lined up 11th on the grid, loses three places and he has a fight on his hands to get up through the field. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton is 0.7 seconds ahead of Sebastian Vettel after the first lap.

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Lights out! Away we go and Lewis Hamilton is off the line well, not the best of starts by Sebastian Vettel but he defends second from Nico Rosberg through the first corner.

Well, we didn't lose anyone on the formation lap. Already an improvement on Australia.

Everyone is in their place on the grid. On your marks...

"We had similar conditions during FP2 on Friday and the hard tyre, in some cases, lasted less long than the medium tyre. So it will be interesting to see how that pans out."

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Red Bull Racing: So what does an F1 driver do before jumping in the heat of a Malaysian GP cockpit? Skipping of course...

Formula 1: Track temperature is currently 62C. There's around a 60% chance of rain between 1600 and 1700 local time.

Everyone is out on medium tyres, with just Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button starting on the hard tyre.

"My goodness it is hot down here."

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Will it be another Mercedes win? Or can Sebastian Vettel sneak on to the top step of the podium? Not long until we find out.

Pirelli Motorsport: "We're looking at 3 stops today for most drivers. If degradation can be contained at the start, 2 stops is possible too. Most teams will want to have a flexible approach, with the possibility to switch from 3 to 2 stop strategy and vice versa."

"Lewis Hamilton is so dominant, confident and fast - he is on a different race track to everyone else at the moment. He is looking that good.

"It's not going to stay like this, there will be trouble in the future so he is trying to get as many points as he can now."

"I think the penalty for Grosjean was a little bit severe. Grosjean is out of position for sure, but also out of position is Raikkonen.

"Those two are next door to each other and we know there will be fireworks sooner or later. They can have a great race together, work up the field together and get inside the top five - both are capable. But they could also clout each other."

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Pastor Maldonado crashed out on lap one in Australia, will he last longer this time?

The drivers are in their cars and getting in zone. Almost time.

Chris Callaghan: Slightly gutted to see it's a dry race at the moment! Wanted a downpour to really mix things up.

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Singer Jermaine Jackson holding an umbrella standing next to Mercedes boss Niki Lauda. Standard.

"Things to look out for this afternoon - it is hot, it is the longest grand prix, and we are going into unchartered territory in terms of engine reliability.

"It is all going to be about tyre strategy. Will they be going option, option, option? Or will they be going on to the hard tyres?"

1 Hamilton 2) Vettel 3) Rosberg 4) Ricciardo 5) Kvyat 6) Verstappen 7) Massa 8) Bottas 9) Ericsson 10) Grosjean

11) Raikkonen 12) Maldonado 13) Hulkenberg 14) Perez 15) Sainz 16) Nasr 17) Button 18) Alonso 19) Mehri

Manor's Will Stevens will not take part because of a fuel system issue

"With Sebastian Vettel's Ferrari on the front row and the McLaren-Hondas at the back, it was inevitable that Fernando Alonso would be asked whether he regretted his decision to leave his former team at the end of last season to pursue his much-desired third title. 'I guessed I would have this question for some races but I want to be in pole position, not second,' Alonso said. 'It is a long way to go for us. We start quite far behind but I have so much trust and confidence in this team.

"'We have such a talented team of engineers inside McLaren and we saw the progress in the last two weeks. To beat Mercedes you need to do something special, not to copy them because otherwise you will be behind all the time. It will take some time but we will grow up together. We will look at each other in a couple of months when we are in the points or on the podium or something and we will tell each other it was an exciting trip and we are doing it together.'"

McLarenCopyright: McLaren

McLaren: Off to the grid. Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso fire-up their cars and head out on track.

"The Malaysian Grand Prix promises to be an interesting strategic battle, with teams split between doing two or three pit stops. Lewis Hamilton said: 'It's close between a two and a three. Initially I heard it was a three and then I heard it could be a two.'

"Mercedes are believed to be too strong for Ferrari, despite Sebastian Vettel's front-row starting position but Kimi Raikkonen - who has free tyre choice for the start of the race - will be worth watching from his 11th place start. Ferrari have good tyre degradation so they may lean towards a two-stop, but for that to work for those starting in the top 10 the medium tyres would have to last until around lap 15 in the first stint. Much before that, and you are probably locked into a three-stopper."

BBCCopyright: BBC

David Coulthard spots Red Bull boss Christian Horner, who says: "We have conversation with the drivers about behaving themselves going into that first turn - but you know that goes out of the window as soon as the red light goes out."

MercedesCopyright: Mercedes

The 19 cars have rolled out on to the circuit to take their place on the grid. An opportunity for David Coulthard to head on out and grab a few words from the key figures...

A quick look at what the papers are saying today before we get down to some racing:

Bernie Ecclestone is planning an all-woman F1 championship to boost the sport's flagging popularity. But Britain's Susie Wolff, the sport's best-known female driver, says it is "not the right direction". [Daily Mirror]

Ferrari have improved more than any other team and are "coming" for Mercedes this season, says three-time world champion Niki Lauda.[The Guardian]

BBCCopyright: BBC

A great shot of the paddock and circuit as the start of the race draws closer. Just under 20 minutes to go...

Willams/TwitterCopyright: Willams/Twitter

Wouldn't like to be the person who mops down the seats in the cars at the end of this race. Crikey...

Colm: Re Eddie Jordan on Verstappen (see 07:17). Rightly so, amazing talent at such young age, imagine when he has even a season worth of experience.

James Rowe: Very interesting insight into the life of a rookie. It showed off, I think, just how nervous Verstappen was on Sunday morning.

Nathan Stalker: Actually feel sorry for Max Verstappen the media relate everything to his dad. Let him get on with it.

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Ferrari's Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello recovered from an early off-track excursion to record a Ferrari one-two in a classic race at Sepang.

Schumacher had made a great start to build a large gap at the first corner but rain started to fall by the third lap and both Ferraris ran wide, allowing Jarno Trulli to take the lead. It looked like the chance for a Ferrari win had passed when stops for Barrichello and Schumacher ended up being a bit of a mess, before the pair were sent back out on intermediate tyres with the other leading runners on full wets.

The circuit was well and truly soaked but the deployment of the safety car worked in Ferrari's advantage. It stayed until the rain had stopped meaning conditions were ideal for Schumacher and Ferrari to cut through the field and secure a one-two.

Red Bull Racing SpyCopyright: Red Bull Racing Spy

Red Bull Racing Spy: Chris threatens to tell Dan the cricket score if he doesn't finish on the podium this afternoon…

For the rest of you, we also have live updates on the Cricket World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand.

"It is a much better Red Bull at Malaysia, following improvements to the drivability of the Renault engine after the problems in Australia caused public frictions between the team and their engine partner. Daniel Ricciardo, who starts fourth, said the difference was 'night and day - it's still not perfect but we've made the best step we can ask for in a two-week period.'

"Ricciardo has had a good half-second on team-mate Daniil Kvyat so far this weekend, the Russian still finding his feet, and the margin was the same in qualifying. But Kvyat starts right behind the Australian in fifth."

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Daniel Ricciardo will be hoping for better luck on this circuit than he has had in the past. He has never scored at Sepang and failed to finish the race last year.

Since the beginning of this decade Red Bull have only failed to score a podium once on this track, when Mark Webber was fourth in 2012, and Ricciardo might fancy his chances of getting on the podium as he starts fourth on the grid.

Formula 1 journalist Adam Cooper: So no Will Stevens in the race. Interesting that we never seemed to see two Marussias running at the same time this weekend.

BBC weatherman Ian Fergusson: "Track temp currently 64.3C. Race more likely to be dry, but risk of showers grows and especially later during event."

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In just his second race, Max Verstappen has equalled his dad's best-ever grid position when Jos started from sixth at the 1994 Belgian GP for Benetton.

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Love this. Most drivers appear to have been provided with a car get to get them to and from the circuit. Max Verstappen, though, is sat in the back as his dad Jos drives him in.

Just like any other 17 year old. Oh, except he is about to race in a grand prix!

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One race down and Lewis Hamilton leads Nico Rosberg by seven points. Can he extend that advantage in today's race? Trouble-free, and it is surely hard to see beyond a Hamilton win, but then he was not without his problems in practice.

Various issues kept him in the garage for almost all of FP1, will that hamper him today?

denise topping: Ferrari has its work cut out for it. Merc still so strong.

Steph: Losing an hour of precious sleep is balanced by the fact it's #F1 time. Cups of coffee at the ready.

"Max Verstappen was born into this. He doesn't know any different. Forget about age, the talent is there."

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"I can't tell you how great I think Max Verstappen can be. I put him up there with Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna, that is how great he can be. The world is at this guy's feet."

"Kimi Raikkonen was an unhappy man after qualifying down in 11th because he got caught up in traffic, and team principal Maurizio Arrivabene and he had strong words afterwards.

"Raikkonen was late out because the engine would not start, and after the Finn had complained over the radio about the timing of his release, Arrivabene commented publicly that perhaps his driver might have tried to pass the Sauber that had held him up before he started his qualifying lap.

"Arrivabene has presented a pleasant, approachable image to the media since his appointment, but there is clearly steel within."

Red Bull Racing SpyCopyright: Red Bull Racing Spy

Red Bull Racing Spy: Embarrassment at Sepang when organisers realise grand prix double-booked with Action Man convention…

As a result of that, here is the 19-car grid:

1 Hamilton 2) Vettel 3) Rosberg 4) Ricciardo 5) Kvyat 6) Verstappen 7) Massa 8) Bottas 9) Ericsson 10) Grosjean

11) Raikkonen 12) Maldonado 13) Hulkenberg 14) Perez 15) Sainz 16) Nasr 17) Button 18) Alonso 19) Mehri

Will Stevens failed to get out in qualifying for Manor on Saturday because of a fuel system problem but he was given special dispensation by stewards to take part in today's race.

Bad news, though, Manor confirm he will not be racing, tweeting: "Sadly Will is unable to start today's race as we have not been able to get on top of the fuel system problem from yesterday."

"The battle out front is going to be interesting, especially with the threat of rain too. There are lots of strategic factors here which will make it a very different race to Melbourne."

BBCCopyright: BBC

Despite the ever-looming threat of a deluge of rain in Malaysia, there have been just two safety car deployments in the last 10 years.

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The 2009 Malaysia Grand Prix was one of only five races in Formula 1 history for which half-points were awarded.

A torrential rainstorm caused the race to be red-flagged on lap 31 and, because of the race starting at 5pm local time, darkness meant it could not be restarted. This year's race starts at 3pm local time.

Isaac Mares: Ferrari can challenge Mercedes only in the sense of 'best of the rest.' Only Mercedes can beat Mercedes until F1 returns to Europe.

Dawnothy: It's nearly F1 time, let's hope for a bit of rain to spice things up! C'mon #Vettel

Ads: Urgh, too early for a Sunday & after the clocks have gone forward too. Better be a good race now!

MercedesCopyright: Mercedes

Mercedes: Staring down the Malaysia GP barrel...ONE HOUR TO GO!!!!

Breakfast with The Chain? Don't mind if I do!

Build up to the Malaysian Grand Prix is under way on BBC One right now as well as BBC Radio 5 live, with the race getting under way at 08:00 BST.

You can also watch and listen online on this page (at the top for desktop users or via the live coverage tab for followers on mobiles and tablets).

"The McLarens were again the slowest cars - other than the barely-running Manors - but the team were buoyed by a dramatic step forwards in the two weeks since Melbourne. There, they were 1.5secs away from getting out of first qualifying; here, it was 0.6secs. Jenson Button said the gap to Mercedes had come down by around 1.6s, once tyres were taken into account. 'Everything is going in the right direction but there is still a long way to go,' Button said.

"Fernando Alonso was quicker all weekend over a single lap, but a mistake in Turn Six on his final run meant Button was able to sneak ahead by 0.11secs. 'I lost the car in Turn Six and it cost me some 10ths and unfortunately I could not improve the lap time I did before,' said the Spaniard, who had never driven more than five consecutive laps in the car before arriving in Malaysia. 'I need to learn from these first days in the car and mistakes and put some good laps together in the race and have some action. I think we can fight with some cars in front so it is going to be interesting.'

"Racing director Eric Boullier said the progress was down to being less conservative with the engine, although the troublesome hybrid system is still turned well down."

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Is Fernando Alonso playing the long game?

With Ferrari looking competitive and McLaren struggling, the Spaniard's decision to switch teams looks to have been the wrong one. Or was it?

While Ferrari could well challenge for podiums this season, race wins might be a little harder to come by and Alonso believes McLaren offer him the best chance of actually challenging Mercedes for victories.

"You need to take a lot of risk and go your own way," he says. "This is a long term project that in the end sees us beating Mercedes."

Max Verstappen, speaking during the drivers' parade: "Of course it will be warm but once you start driving it settles down. It is more when you stop that you feel the heat. It will be difficult to finish on the podium, but with the pace that we have then I'm sure we can, we have to wait and see. I'm here to score points."

"There was a star performance in qualifying from Max Verstappen, the 17-year-old Dutchman lining up sixth for Toro Rosso, just 0.03secs from beating Daniil Kvyat's Red Bull for fifth.

"'I was really happy that it started to rain in Q2 so that I had the chance in Q3 in the wet,' Verstappen said. 'That's what I like and I was very confident that it would be a good qualifying.' Why does he like the wet, he was asked? 'In Holland it rains a lot so I'm used to driving in the rain and I'm very confident in the rain, he said. 'The car is also working perfectly; it gives you a lot of confidence and you can push.'

"Team-mate Carlos Sainz had actually had the edge on pace throughout the weekend, but a mistake when it mattered left him down in 15th - he locked up at Turn 14. 'I'm a bit disappointed with myself,' the Spaniard said. 'The runs in FP3 and Q1 were amazing, I showed great speed, and then I did the mistake in Q2. It's tough to take. It was a rookie mistake.'"

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Max Verstappen was arguably the standout performer in qualifying as he pulled a stonking lap out of the bag to qualifying in sixth and, after becoming the youngest driver to start a Formula 1 race in Australia, he produced another landmark achievement on Saturday.

He has the highest qualifying position by a teenage driver in 54 years and can become the youngest points scorer in F1 history if he finishes inside the top 10 today.

He could also make history for his team, Toro Rosso, who have never finished higher than eighth in Malaysia.

MercedesCopyright: Mercedes

Mercedes: Best fans out in force once again at the Sepang Circuit! Thanks for coming out folks! You guys rock!

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

The first Malaysian Grand Prix, back in 1999, was certainly an eventful one.

Half of the 22-car field failed to finish as Eddie Irvine secured victory to boost his hopes of winning the world title.

Irvine's Ferrari team-mate Michael Schumacher had started on pole but let Irvine through before going on to harry Mika Hakkinen - only two points ahead of Irvine in the championship.

Ferrari secured a one-two but were disqualified for illegal bodywork, a decision that was later overturned on appeal.

"Sebastian Vettel has given Ferrari their first front-row starting position since this race two years ago, when Felipe Massa managed it. The four-time champion is thinking positive about his chances in the race, admitting that Mercedes 'are difficult to beat', but adding: 'I think we have a decent chance to do well. We could be up for anything.'

"Nico Rosberg, though, feels Mercedes still have the edge, and explained that Vettel had only made the front row - and got to within 0.074secs of Hamilton - because Mercedes had not got their tyre strategy in qualifying right. 'We didn't have our tyres at their best for that second lap of that second run,' Rosberg said. 'We used up our tyres a bit just cruising around and that's why Sebastian was relatively quick there at the end compared to us because he got the strategy right - one lap, one lap.'

"Asked if he he felt Mercedes still had a comfortable margin, Rosberg added: ''Comfortable, no. They're right there. We need to be at our best but I am still confident we have an advantage and we are still the best, but they are coming at us.'"

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Lewis Hamilton is now only seven wins behind Ayrton Senna's total of 41. He is in a strong position to make that six wins behind having converted pole into a victory in each of his last seven races.

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton, who starts in pole position, on the parade bus: "The Ferraris are looking quite quick so Sebastian is going to be fast. It is so hot today - it is the hottest the track has ever been, 61C. The tyres are going to be melting so the challenge is who can look after the tyres the longest."

LotusCopyright: Lotus

Quite a bizarre scene with the drivers on the bus actually. As the others sit in the upper section waving to fans, Sebastian Vettel also has his Ferrari team-mate and Kimi Raikkonen for company in the bottom section. He is sat by the window, shades on (never wear shades indoors Kimi) while on the opposite side is Lewis Hamilton, headphones on, gulping a bottle of water and looking very cool and calm.

It's like they are off to the shops in town or something.

Nico Rosberg, speaking during the drivers parade: "The first lap is going to be important, I'm trying to beat Sebastian and go for Lewis too - but that going to be difficult. But that's the plan - get past Sebastian then attack Lewis."

Davii Adams: Sleep, or stay up for BBC F1 coverage hmm?...

Lewis Goodway: Insightful punditry or a comfortable bed?

LP: Woke up extra early just in case for F1 race because of clocks going forward.

Autographs signed, the 20 drivers have just climbed aboard a bus to venture off on the driver parade. Most have taken their seats on the open top section of the bus, but Sebastian Vettel has decided to seek refuge from the heat and is knocking about downstairs.

MercedesCopyright: Mercedes

It was the usual pre-race meet and greet for the drivers earlier, and these two were in demand.

MercedesCopyright: Mercedes

LotusCopyright: Lotus

This is a belting photo from Lotus of their pit crew in action during the torrential rain on Saturday.

Will we get rain in today's race? The early forecast suggested there was a chance, and there are plenty of clouds in the sky at the moment. As usual, it is hot and humid too.

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The run to the first corner is one of the longest in Formula 1, meaning we could be in for a thrilling and incident packed start to the race.

Sebastian Vettel may have split the Mercedes, but he need only look to last year to see how quickly that could change.

It was the exact same front three at the 2014 Malaysian Grand Prix but Rosberg attacked Vettel immediately and was up into second by the end of the first lap. Vettel will need to be wary.

Refresh your memory, and whet your appetite for today's race, by watching Hamilton's win 12 months ago.

"Lewis Hamilton starts from pole here and is aiming for his eight win in nine races, a run dating back to the Italian Grand Prix last September.

"It's clear team-mate Nico Rosberg has to find some way to halt Hamilton's momentum, but he played that need down. 'In my head it is not a general thing at the moment because it is the second race if a new season,' Rosberg said, 'so I am not generalising at all. First race I made a mistake in qualifying and that's how he won the weekend because race pace was very similar. And now, OK, he just did a better job in the wet in qualifying and the race is still all to play for, so in my mind there is no runaway train."

APCopyright: AP

There was an unusual moment in Saturday's post-qualifying news conference as Nico Rosberg turned journalist to ask Lewis Hamilton a question.

"Nico Rosberg, Mercedes AMG Petronas," he opened with. "There are a lot of comments on Twitter saying Nico blocked you, is that true he blocked you on your second timed lap?"

Hamilton, smiling, replied: "I think you should probably ask him, I think he'll have a good opinion on that." Rosberg responded, while shaking his head: "That's not funny, that's not funny."

"The opening race of the season in Australia turned on a stunning qualifying lap from Lewis Hamilton in difficult, changing conditions, and the world champion did it again here in Malaysia.

"At the start of a final qualifying session delayed by torrential rain, Hamilton turned in a lap more than a second clear of the field. He said it 'wasn't a great lap', but team-mate Nico Rosberg did not agree.

"'It was extremely challenging conditions because the track had so much grip,' the German said. 'It was so unusual; incredible grip for then intermediate tyre and you needed to be incredibly creative and adaptive to find the limit immediately. Lewis just did a lot better than all the rest of us.'"

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There was one famous incident of two team-mates gunning for the Formula 1 title clashing in Malaysia, could there be any incidents between the Mercedes pair today?

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So did Nico Rosberg block Lewis Hamilton? Having already abandoned his lap, Rosberg appears not to move away from the racing line, meaning Hamilton had to go off-line to overtake.

It was a move that, at the time, BBC F1 co-commentator David Coulthard described as "a bit naughty."

Of course, it mattered not in the end, with Hamilton having already done enough to secure pole but it could be the first indication of the often hot tempered rivalry they shared in 2014 carrying on into this season.

As always, a simple enough question for today, what's your podium predictions? I'll go with 1) Hamilton 2) Rosberg 3) Vettel

Let us know yours via #bbcf1, text us on 81111 (UK only) or have your say on the BBC Sport Facebook and Google+ pages.

Suzi Perry/InstagramCopyright: Suzi Perry/Instagram

Here's Suzi Perry at the base of the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur filming on Saturday for today's coverage of the race.

You'll get to hear those famous first base notes of The Chain when our television coverage gets under way on BBC One and online at 07:00 BST.

"Morning! Thrilling Malaysia GP in prospect: can Rosberg beat Hamilton, can Ferrari challenge Mercedes, how high can Kimi Raikkonen climb from P11? BBC1, 7am."

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"On a day of biblical storms, with dramatic forks of lightning spearing out of inky clouds, there was the first hint of potential tension between Mercedes team-mates Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg at the Malaysian Grand Prix.

"Did Rosberg effectively force Hamilton to back out of a qualifying lap? Hamilton said no; Rosberg said it was not a relevant question. But the German was undoubtedly sensitive to the accusation. The fact Hamilton took pole anyway took much of the tension out of it, and he was able to rise above any controversy.

"Opinion was split in the paddock, but the incident can only add spice to the dynamic of their continuing battle, which will be rejoined in the race this afternoon."

Nico Rosberg might live to regret a few words he said after the Australian Grand Prix - he wanted a fight from the Ferraris and it looks like he has certainly got one.

Vettel was just 0.074 seconds off Hamilton's pole-securing time and that, along with their promising long runs in practice, suggests they may be more than just "the best of the rest".

But it is not just the Ferraris Rosberg and Hamilton have to be wary of, as Saturday also provided us with the first hint of an intra-team battle...

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Hello! It is race day at the second grand prix of the season - the Malaysian GP.

Lewis Hamilton goes on the hunt for a second successive victory at the front of the pack, having secured pole in Saturday's rain affected qualifying.

However, for the first time in 10 races, it is not his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg alongside him on the front row, instead it is Sebastian Vettel.

The Ferraris have turned up to the party.

Nico Rosberg wanted a fight, and it looks like he has got it. Question is, which will prove to be the bigger one today?

The fight from within...

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Or the one from without...

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