The Formula 1 is back from a 2-week recess after an eventful showing in Singapore last time out where Ferrari had a double DNF and watched on as Mercedes and Red Bull racked up important points on both the driver’s championship and the constructor’s championship.

Mercedes arrive in Malaysia full of confidence as Lewis Hamilton comfortably sits atop the driver’s championship table 28 points more than 4-time world champion, Sebastian Vettel.

The second half of the F1 season has not been quite favourable for the Scuderia as they had an embarrassing showing on their home grid in Monza and followed that up with Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen ending their trip to Singapore at the beginning of the very first lap. On both occasions, Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes have been the direct beneficiaries of a somewhat inexplicable and unfortunate chain of performance and results from Ferrari.

It is not too long ago that Sebastian Vettel had a healthy 14points lead over Hamilton, the Englishman has turned the tide and with just 6 races left of the 2017 F1 season, Malaysia is definitely make or break for Ferrari. Another Mercedes podium here all but confirms Mercedes as the top constructor, a win for Lewis Hamilton increases the points gap between him and Vettel, a situation the Australian can’t afford to be in at the end of proceedings on Sunday.

Hamilton will be hoping for better luck on the Malaysia circuit as his engine blow-up here in 2016 was a major reason Nico Rosberg ended the year as Champion.

On the occasion of Malaysia’s final race in the foreseeable future – they have failed to reach a contract extension agreement with the Formula 1 – Vettel is expected to be driving for redemption, Hamilton wants to consolidate on his recent fantastic run.

The Formula 1 is back with four races in 5 weeks and starts this weekend in the Malaysia GP Sep 29 – Oct 1.