2014 F1 Malaysian Grand Prix: Hamilton goes fastest in FP1

Lewis Hamilton set the fastest lap in the first free practice session today at the Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia. Mercedes has retained the engine that had 'apparently' lost a cylinder at the Australian Grand Prix, which translated into an early retirement of the Mercedes driver. The Mercedes personnel said that the problem had been rectified and it showed as Hamilton put in the fastest lap of 1:40.691s.

Ferraris Kimi Raikkonen put in a time of 1:40.843s and he looked comfortable in his car then what we saw of him at Albert Park. However, his team mate, Fernando Alonso was had his share of spins and discovered that the green track required great finesse. He ended up with a time of 1:41.923 putting him in 11th place.

Mercedes' Nico Rosberg was third with a time of 1:41.028s, ahead of the McLarens of Jenson Button, with 1:41.111s, and Kevin Magnussen on 1:41.274s. Jean-Eric Vergne continued his top form from Australia as his Toro Rosso came in sixth with 1:41.402s, while stablemate Sebastian Vettel put in his fastest lap of 1:41.523s for Red Bull. Force India's Nico Hulkenberg and the Williams team of Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas rounded up the top 10.

Romain Grosjean's Lotus didn't even last its installation lap as Lotus' mechanical woes continued. Team mate Pastor Maldonado meanwhile also rolled to halt in the pit entry after being told to kill his Renault power unit which had begun smoking heavily.

FP2 will begin shortly and we will keep you up-to-date with the latest from the F1 Malaysian Grand Prix.