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Welcome to Friday at the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang, the accurately self-styled hottest race of the season.

Though it was cloudy yesterday temperatures as predicted hit 34 degrees Celsius and will do so again today, with the commensurate humidity that is such an energy-sapping feature of this venue. It is one that has had many drivers deliberately travelling early to similar climes for their final pre-event physical training.

There were no showers yesterday, but in this region the sudden thunderstorm is a fact of life and some are expected today. The temperature will be in the low 30s again tomorrow and on raceday, again with a high likelihood of showers. The latter, however, dry up almost as quickly as they arrive, but if the showers predicted on Sunday afternoon do develop it could have a significant influence on the outcome of the race.

Yesterday both Rubens Barrichello, for Bridgestone, and Ralf Schumacher, for Michelin, predicted that their tyres would be suitable, whatever the conditions!