Arrows goes for synchronised breakdowns

Formula 1 rookie Enrique Bernoldi suffered clutch problems and stopped just minutes into the first hour of practice, with team mate Jos Verstappen stopping seconds later with engine sensor problems. Both drivers sat out the rest of the session as Verstappen's AMT V10 and Bernoldi's hydraulics were changed.

In the second session, the Dutchman recovered to take 15th overall, with Bernoldi finishing the day 18th.

"The sensor problem in the first session basically lost us this morning's track time, so this afternoon was spent evaluating tyres," said Verstappen, whose engine change was the fastest ever for an AMT unit. "We're still a long way out on set-up, so there's a lot of work to be done there. But hopefully we can make up for lost time tomorrow."

Bernoldi has never driven at Sepang before, but managed to complete 22 laps of running, despite his enforced down time.

"This afternoon we managed to do a lot more laps, which is necessary for me to learn the circuit," said the Brazilian. "Like Jos, we still have to do our set-up work and hope to find more pace tomorrow."

For engine-supplier Asiatech, the Malaysian Grand Prix is the nearest thing on the F1 calendar to a home race. The company's V10s are development units based on last year's works Peugeot engines.