Over at Force India Ferrari and the encouraging practice pace relative to its rivals did not materialise in qualifying trim with Giancarlo Fisichella 17th and Adrian Sutil 20th. At the back, Takuma Sato will take comfort in out-qualifying Sutil and Super Aguri Honda team-mate Anthony Davidson.

As it stands, Ferrari is firmly in command of the Malaysian Grand Prix, even if Felipe Massa seems light on fuel.

*Post qualifying penalties: Heikki Kovalainen and Lewis Hamilton were both penalised five grid positions for blocking at the end of the third qualifying session. As a result Jarno Trulli will start third ahead of Kubica, Heidfeld, Webber, Alonso, Kovalainen, Hamilton and Glock.

Earl ALEXANDER
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