Qualification: Red Bull once again on pole, favorites drowned under the rain

After a Friday dominated by Lewis Hamilton, Saturday’s qualifying delivered its share of surprises. Indeed, 5 minutes before the start of the first session, rain poured down on Sepang.

Several drivers then switch to intermediate tires, which seem slightly on the edge in some sections, but the choice is not simple, as other parts are practically dry.

Most of the drivers will set their fastest timed lap during this period before the rain intensifies, which will result in the loss of several highly anticipated drivers this weekend. Indeed, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, and Felipe Massa did not make it past Q1.

Having started late, they were unable to take advantage of the short window of time when the track was partially dry, allowing the drivers in the race to achieve good timed laps, most of which turned out to be better than those of the double world champion, who was relegated behind J. Trulli’s Lotus, with his main competitors behind him.

Button, on the other hand, ranks 13th, but cannot start Q2 after making a mistake in a gravel trap that immobilized him.

It’s Robert Kubica who was the fastest during Q1, with a time of 1’46”28, ahead of De La Rosa and Vettel.

During Q2, Rosberg and Schumacher start on wet tires, and the Red Baron sets the fastest time before being dethroned by drivers on intermediate tires, finishing in tenth place, ahead of Petrov. And surprise, the rain starts falling again.

Q3 starts with Kubica simulating a practice start and leading, all drivers on full wet tires, before the session is stopped with 7:17 remaining due to weather conditions: the track is no longer drivable due to the rain.

When the session resumes, Adrian Sutil, the Force India driver, sets a very good timed lap, gradually improving ahead of Hülkenberg, who makes his first appearance in Q3, and Kubica.

It will be Webber who ultimately takes pole position thanks to a wise tire choice, ahead of Rosberg and Vettel. Sutil and Hülkenberg are behind them, showing that Williams and Force India should not be overlooked if it rains again tomorrow.

Results of the Qualifying – Malaysian GP – Saturday, April 3, 2010: