BBC weatherman Ian Fergusson: "First practice is looking odds on to be dry and generally quite sunny. As we get later on into the afternoon we will see a more meaningful threat of some showers or thunderstorms and certainly cannot rule out, particularly later in the second practice session, of that being rain affected."

The circuit is open and Marcus Ericsson leads the first few cars out on to the Sepang circuit. Off we go!

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer in Sepang

Image source, Manor

"There will be two firsts in this session. Or at least there ought to be. Sauber reserve driver Rafaelle Marciello is to take part in a race weekend for the first time and Manor Marussia are expecting to be out for their debut this season.

"Manor driver Will Stevens, pictured above, said on Thursday that the 'plan' was to take part in the entire weekend - and the team have been warned by governing body the FIA that there must not be a repeat of the no-show in Australia.

"The engines have fired up in the garage, so Manor's progress - including whether they can get the cars running - will be watched with interest."

My ramblings have now been joined by live television and radio coverage, on BBC Two and BBC Radio 5 live sports extra respectively. Fill your boots.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer in Sepang

"A little lost among his remarks about his testing crash, there was an interesting observation from Fernando Alonso about whether he was happy with his decision to join McLaren given Ferrari's improved performance this season.

"He made a pointed reference to the fact that the Italian team, despite a much better engine this year, are still way off Mercedes' pace. 'With Ferrari, we didn't win the championship but it was a fantastic experience. But five years was enough - I didn't want to be second or third for seven years so I prefer to risk and challenge for victory. Even if you need to take some risk for the first year.' He added: 'After 14 years of Formula 1 and two championships, a podium or fourth place or fifth place is no longer a nice result.'"

Steve Lloyd:, external 01:55am, massive mug of black coffee, girlfriend asleep next to me, Formula One time from Malaysia with Lee McKenzie and the team!

Image source, Manor

Manor F1:, external Well, it's a steamy 36C out on track, 28 ambient, as we prepare for the start of FP1.

Image source, Getty Images

The added bonus of Fernando Alonso's return to F1 media duties was Kimi Raikkonen looking utterly delighted to be in the news conference.

He is probably not the biggest fan of them at the best of times, let alone when pretty much all the questions are directed at Alonso...

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer in Sepang

Image source, FIA

"Fernando Alonso was conspicuous by his absence at the first race of this season, and boy did he make an impact on his first day back in the paddock here in Malaysia.

"In an electrifying - some would say incendiary - performance in the official news conference, Alonso directly contradicted his McLaren team's previous statements by saying that he believed his crash in pre-season testing that left him with concussion was 'definitely' caused by a steering problem.

"If he and McLaren are not very careful, their relationship second time around risks being damaged beyond repair even before he has raced the car. He and team-mate Jenson Button are likely to qualify at the back - but at least for the next little while Alonso has ensured he totally dominates the agenda."

Image source, Mercedes

The big news this week was the confirmation that Fernando Alonso and Valtteri Bottas, who missed the Australian GP, have been declared fit to race.

Alonso, has not taken to a circuit in the cockpit of a McLaren since his crash in the second pre-season test in Barcelona, missing the final test and the season opener in Australia as he recovered from concussion. Williams driver Bottas, meanwhile, injured his back in qualifying in Melbourne and was not fit enough to take part in the race.

Unsurprisingly, the main focus of the world's media on Thursday was the return of Alonso to the paddock, even more so after he was put up in the FIA's news conference....

Image source, Red Bull

Red Bull Racing:, external Pitstop practice under the Sepang sunrise. A great way to start the day!

Right then, you probably know the drill by now but here is what we have coming up today.

First up, 90 minutes of first practice from 02:00 GMT and you can watch it LIVE on BBC Two from 01:55. Then, after a brief snooze for those following in the UK or lunch for those of you in Malaysia, the cars return to the Sepang circuit at 06:00 for second practice, with live coverage once again on BBC Two from 05:55.

You can also follow FP1 on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra from 01:55 and FP2 on the same station from 05:55. All options are available to you on this very page.

Even more farcical than just 11 cars finishing the season opener in Australia race was the fact that only 14 managed to start it, with Manor failing to make the grid, two drivers ruled out through injury and two cars suffering mechanical failure on their formation laps.

Fingers crossed for no such shenanigans this time, although with the heat and humidity posing a different challenge for teams in setting up their cars, and the ever-looming threat of rain in Sepang, a 20-car grid on Sunday is far from guaranteed...

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer in Sepang

Image source, Getty Images

"After such a dominant performance in Australia, there does not seem much prospect of anyone challenging Mercedes in the near future, but Lewis Hamilton said he would welcome it if it happened. 'I love racing,' he said. 'I like going into the race not knowing who you will be fighting. The more competitive you are, that removes that excitement. But I have Nico on my tail and that keeps it interesting.' Hamilton added that 'Ferrari have made a huge step and it's great to see. I hope they continue to make improvements.'"

Image source, Formula 1

Hello! And welcome to our coverage of Friday practice at a sweltering Sepang.

The Formula 1 circus is in the Far East this weekend, where Mercedes will look to continue their dominant start to the season.

Lewis Hamilton led home a Mercedes one-two at the season-opener in Australia, a routine win in what was a pretty farcical race behind them as just 11 cars managed to reach the finish line.

The Malaysian Grand Prix - round two of the 2015 Formula 1 season.

Will Mercedes turn up the heat on their wannabe rivals?

Image source, Mercedes

Or will someone, or something, rain on their parade?

Image source, Getty Images