Sutil impressive in Formula One practice run

SEPANG - Force India’s Adrian Sutil finished a promising seventh quickest on the opening day practice of the Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix here Friday.

In the second practice, the German posted the 10th best lap timing.

Vitantonio Liuzzi, who notched up eight points in two races by finishing ninth in Bahrain and seventh in Melbourne, missed the first practice while returned for the second session, setting the 12th quickest time.

Force India’s reserve driver Paul di Resta was 15th quickest in the first race as teams and drivers sizzled in the searing heat during the two 90 minute sessions.

McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton set the fastest times in both practice sessions. The 2008 world champion followed up a quickest first practice by edging Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel in the second session.

Hamilton’s team-mate Jenson Button, the defending world champion and winner last Sunday in Australia, was fourth fastest, behind the Mercedes of Nico Rosberg.

Sutil said he had to be patient as the track was dusty in the morning.

“In the afternoon we then went to do a little set-up work. It was difficult with the hot track temperatures we experience here as the tyres overheated very quickly and it was challenging to get it under control,” Sutil said.

“We have a few things to look at set-up wise, but we should be fine for tomorrow. We are in the top 10 still, just behind the top four teams. I think it will be an interesting day, probably with some rain thrown in as well,” he said.

Liuzzi said it was a good opening day of practice for the team.

“I missed the morning session but we did the most important job of understanding the tyres and following our programme targets. We are quite happy, and although the car suffered a little understeer in the high speed corners, it is responding well and we understand the behaviour of the tyres over the longer runs.

“It looks like qualifying here will be interesting as the rain started at 4pm but we can deal with the conditions,” said the Italian, who is looking to score a hat-trick of points.”