This morning’s Formula 1 practice sessions in Malaysia were not good for engine suppliers. Both Williams-Toyota cars finished ahead of both Toyota cars; both Red Bull-Renault cars finished ahead of both Renault cars; both Brawn-Mercedes cars finished ahead of both McLaren-Mercedes cars. And crucially, it was all on merit.

McLaren’s period of intense embarrassment on just about every front imaginable was enhanced by one of the Force India-Mercedes cars finishing ahead of Kovalainen in the first session.

Ferrari was the only successful engine supplier, in that its cars always finished ahead of the Toro Rosso-Ferrari cars.

Admittedly BMW doesn’t supply a customer team for comparison, but both cars finishing outside the top ten in both sessions means we can safely put them in the unsuccessful pile.