Charles Leclerc and Ferrari topped the timesheets on the first day of practice in Sepang. But behind the headline pace lies a big question: who really has the best race pace? The extremely dirty and rough asphalt has left every team scratching their heads.
Friday at Sepang International Circuit offered no clear picture. Ferrari looked promising, but Mercedes had a nightmare. George Russell and Kimi Antonelli both failed to complete their fast laps due to driving errors. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen chose not to run soft tyres in the second session, so a direct comparison with Leclerc never happened.
The real star of the day was the Sepang asphalt. Its surface was incredibly dirty, covered in dust blown by the wind. Drivers complained about the lack of grip, and many made mistakes, especially at the final braking zone. The track's ten-year-old surface has become rougher, similar to Bahrain. Combined with track temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius, tyre thermal degradation is severe. Teams focused heavily on race pace simulations.
Race pace simulation is the key this weekend. Such high thermal degradation could force a three-stop strategy. Almost all teams avoided the hard tyre, saving it for Sunday. McLaren even skipped the medium in the second session, saving a set for later. Unfortunately, no team has shown a clear advantage in these simulations. Verstappen did a long stint on mediums without a direct comparison, while others used softs. Comparing Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren is also difficult due to different approaches in stint length, driving aggression, and starting tyre conditions.
The race in Sepang will heavily depend on tyre management. Whoever can keep temperatures and wear under control will have a big chance. But with such a rough surface and extreme heat, teams must be very clever with strategy. Qualifying might just be about grid position, but the race will be a true test of endurance.
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