Nico Rosberg heads into the Malaysian Grand Prix full of confidence.

With much of this week being focused on the sound of the car this week, it’s great to finally see the racers back on track — literally — and get back to what they do best.

Having won out in Australia and posting the fastest time in the second practice this week, it is difficult to see past Rosberg to at least make it onto the podium again this weekend.

But current champion Sebastian Vettel posted a terrific time in practice and, despite finishing third, he looks to have put the disappointment of not finishing a fortnight ago due to engine failure after three laps.

After making a lot of noise this week about his car being too quiet, Vettel seems to be fully focused on the race and feels that Red Bull are on track.

“We are more or less there in terms of pace, which is very good news,” said Vettel.

“For everything else we have to be patient. It is still early days, we still have a lot of problems we need to solve.

“But when we get the package together we seem to be on the right page, so I’m looking forward to tomorrow and Sunday.”

Team-mate Daniel Riccardo is yet to find out whether his disqualification in the Australian Grand Prix will be overturned, but will be hoping to pick up where he left off a few weeks ago.

Ferrari technical director James Allison branded their perormance in the season opener “not acceptable.”

Kimi Raikkonen finished second in the second practice with Fernando Alonso a few places behind him in fifth.

All eyes will be on Dane Kevin Magnussen, who was bumped up to second in Australia thanks to Riccardo’s disqualification.

Magnussen had a very difficult practice session. In the first, his car went into “limp mode” to protect the engine, while during the second he was unable to get the power down, resulting in a changes to the brakes and front suspension.

It will be interesting to see if he can repeat the magic this weekend or if his car will continue to cause him trouble.

Speaking of technical problems, Lotus’s car seems to be more unreliable then they first thought.

Pastor Maldonado’s engine left him unable to set a time in either session. And Romain Grosjean only managed 14 laps in the second and had to end his day early after his car ground to a halt.