Even if most expect the pecking order to change in Malaysia, few anticipate a change at the top.

Brawn GP didn’t run away with the Australian GP, with Red Bull and BMW keeping Jenson Button on his toes, and Toyota and Williams hinting they could have done likewise had they stayed out of trouble.

But the consensus in the paddock was that Brawn – lacking testing mileage and well aware of Melbourne’s punishment reputation – did just enough to secure victory in Australia and could have pushed harder if required.

Given the BGP 001’s incredible performances in Barcelona testing, expect it to really stretch its legs at Sepang.

If Brawn is untouchable again, then it’s important for Rubens Barrichello to even the score with his team-mate Jenson Button.

Barrichello had been the quickest of the pair for much of practice and the first two thirds of qualifying, but it was Button who got the job done when it counted, while Barrichello was fortunate to bring his battered car home second.

Sepang race preview - Feature - F1 | ITV Sport