F1 Malaysia 2012 Qualifying: Where To Watch Live Stream Online From Sepang, Preview, Predictions

When and Where: Qualifying for the Formula One Malaysian Grand Prix gets under way in Sepang on Saturday at 4 a.m. ET. The session will be shown on Speed. You can get live detailed timing and statistics at Formula1.com. If you're in the United Kingdom, a live stream will be available on SkyGo.

The prequalifying practice session will be live-streamed on SpeedTV.com, beginning at 1 a.m. ET.

Preview: McLaren will be looking to control the front row of the grid in Malaysia this week, after the one-two finishes they recorded in qualifying in Australia last week.

And the signs are good, with Lewis Hamilton fastest in both of the opening practice sessions on Friday. And the British driver will be desperate to carry that pace into qualifying at the Sepang International Circuit on Saturday as he looks to come back from the disappointment of only finishing third after starting from the pole in Melbourne.

Jenson Button, a superb winner in the opening race, was also strong in practice, and he has to fancy his chances of doubling his points tally this weekend.

The other main news from Friday's practices were that Kimi Raikkonen will be docked five places in qualifying after the gearbox in his Lotus was changed following the afternoon session.

The penalty means that, for the second race running, Raikkonen will fail to fulfill his potential in qualifying. Last week, poor communication with his Lotus team meant he did not have enough time to complete another hot lap, meaning the Finn was eliminated after qualifying one.

The disappointment will be increased because the Lotus clearly has pace, testified by Romain Grosjean's third place on the grid in Australia.

Mercedes also looked in very good shape in practice on Friday. Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg finished third and fourth in the first session and second and fourth in the second, respectively.

Things did not look so impressive for the Red Bulls, however, as they continued to struggle for raw pace.

I would love to be a bit higher up this afternoon, but all in all we had decent running today, although there is still a lot to do, said Sebastian Vettel afterward.

Predictions: It is hard to see past the McLarens for pole position on Saturday, with Hamilton perhaps the likelier of the team's drivers to push the car to the limit on a single-lap basis.

At least in qualifying, the Mercedes team should also be a real threat and would love to get a driver on the front row. Their problems will likely come on Sunday where the heat and humidity in Sepang will add to the cars' problems with tire degradation.

It is still hard to fully assess the Red Bulls, after a much better race in Melbourne than their qualifying performance suggested, they have again had problems with the car here. A front-row spot may beyond them at this stage.

Also look for an improved performance from the Ferrari team, which appears stronger with a new front-wing design.