By Simon Baggus
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| The Malaysian Grand Prix, Sepang International Circuit |
This was the first of the new, ultra modern Formula one venues to be designed by Hermann Tilke, the man who has also been responsible for similar projects in China, Barhain and Turkey.
The venue has a capacity of 80,000 fans, with 30,000 of which can be accommodated in a back-to-back grandstand area positioned between the two main straights. Bringing spectacular spectator viewing.
The track itself offers the possibility of exciting racing, with two main overtaking opportunities on those long straights, creating two DRS activation zones. The track also has a variety of high speed sections and slower, more tightly twisting areas with five left and ten right hand turns, with plenty of width out on circuit to promote overtaking.
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| 5 left and 10 right hand turns make this track |
Most would agree that the Malaysian Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit has proved a welcome addition to the Formula one calendar, since it began in 1999.
So what do we expect to see when we get to Malaysia.
Well we have had a break between the opening race and here, so teams would have collected all their data from Australia to see where they can develop, bring upgrades and improve. Some teams more than others, like Lotus.
I dont think we will see as many retire from this race and i don't think we will see as many mechanical problems either, but i may be wrong. If there is not, it may show a true reflection of the order of the field and i do not think we will see much change at the top.
Free practices will see all teams trying out upgrades and generally how their car performs on different set ups and runs, as there is data still to explore, with reliability, fuel consumptions and how their new upgrades work. Teams will not be so reluctant in holding back their true speed here as teams now have a general understanding on where they sit compared to each other, so they will be wanting to maximise performance.
If qualifying doesn't bring any unpleasant surprises don't expect to see change at the top of the tree, as you would be silly not to put your money on either of the silver arrows being on pole or even the front row, although there could be a shake up for the rest of the pack, maybe a McLaren or a Williams will line up on the second row?
Two main title rivals will be looking for better weekends on the 30th march, the first being Lewis Hamilton.
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| Hamilton will be hoping he can stick it on pole yet again |
Hamilton was the pole sitter in Australia and he must be favourite yet again with his Mercedes, being faster over one lap compared to team mate Nico Rosberg. Mercedes have sorted his problems that sent him into retirement so hopefully they wont re appear here, but most likely an engine change already for safety, for the second race of the season. Will he be able to master the whole package to keep Rosberg behind though, all i can say is this is going to be a great battle between the brain and the brawn all season
The second main title rival being the finger boy Seb Vettel. He also retired after 5 laps with mechanical issues, but must surely have hope of a good weekend, after seeing what new team mate Daniel Ricciardo can do. After all he did assist on the pit wall, with what Ricciardo was doing, out on track for the remainder of the race. Although their true pace is yet to be known as their fuel flow was in breech of the rules at Australia, no doubt making it perform better.
Now what both Nico Rosberg and Daniel Ricciardo have over their team mates, is the fact they have actually completed full race distances in full race conditions. This must surely give them a better understanding and advantage of each situation and phase of the race, with regards to fuel loads, when to push, how the turbo reacts, what tyre wear is like etc etc. What is also evident is the fact they did finish 1 and 2 on the road to the chequered flag in Australia, sending out a message that they are going to trouble both Hamilton and Vettel this season.
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| Vettel was your pole sitter here last year but has been in all sorts of trouble so far this year |
Mercedes and Williams have both re discovered form for this season, maybe due to the power unit supplied to them. I wouldn't rule out either of the teams finishing on the podium come race day as their race pace was pretty good, even though Mercedes was another level, being almost over 0.500th of a seconds faster per lap. Both Magnussun and Bottas are the young guns in their teams and they showed their old timer team mates how it is done with mature drives in all conditions. This should send out a message that there time is here and now. Maybe both of them are podium finishers in Malaysia?.
Button would be hoping to make it into the final part of qualifying to begin with this weekend, thus giving him a better chance of a podium and race instead of fighting from p10 in Australia. I do not think he is worrying about Magnussun yet and is mature enough to know not all has been revealed in one race.
The same can be said for Massa who has been around long enough to know one race doesn't define a season and i am sure he will be on pace with Bottas in a whole race distance come race weekend, hopefully not getting caught up in other peoples mistakes.
Ferrari will be wanting a better weekend in qualifying and the race, as the season opener was poor for the prancing horse. Alonso will no doubt work his magic in maximising his rubbish package given to him, where Raikkonen may struggle to make it into Q3 again, as he seems to only be fast enough when he is given something good to work with. He has already said he is struggling with the new break by wire system. What can be said is their engine would not have got any quicker in the space of one weekends break, so they are relying on aero upgrades and fine tuning to do the business.
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| Ferrari will be hoping for a better weekend |
You then have Torro Rosso and Force India who had similar race weekends in the season opener, separated by three points in the constructor championship, with Vergne and Kvyat 8th and 9th and Hulkenberg 6th with Perez 10th. Vergne and Kvyat i feel are not technical enough to extract the maximum out of their Torro Rosso and this will be there downfall throughout the season. I feel they were lucky to get double points in Australia, this was down to retirements and i do not see them repeating this feature.
This is why i put Force India in a better position than them in the form of the Hulk, who i feel will have a good points finish again with that Mercedes power. I also feel he will carry Perez, although i can see the pair of them finishing in the points come race day in Malaysia as this track is very high speed with two long straights. This is where the mercedes power will come into play for all Mercedes powered teams.
Will Sauber be any better with an under powered Ferrari, i do not think so. They maybe lucky enough to get a few points from retirements, otherwise it will be a scoreless weekend again. I cannot see Sutil or Gutierrez getting through to Q3, or making progress in the race with them struggling with straight line speed. Malaysia featuring two very high speed straights, along with a very high speed circuit will create a tough task ahead.
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| Lotus failed to get either car home at Australia |
Lotus will be hoping for a better showing in Malaysia, but being a team to still yet complete a race distance, slim hopes lay ahead. They would have worked a ridiculous number of hours to get their car into some sort of shape, as they have said they will be bringing a lot of aero upgrades to Malaysia and hopefully have fixed the same mechanical problem that sent both Grosjean and Maldonado into retirement. They may get into Q2 but don't count on it and as for actually finishing the race, well all can hope. They have already admitted no big changes will happen until Spain as they do not have the funds and do not have the staff.
Caterhams homes race is here, so they will be hoping for a better outing, but again are like lotus, in being a team without completing a full race distance, although Erricson was showing a decent enough pace. If there are casualties in Malaysia, this team could be there or there abouts, to steal a cheeky point or two. Kobayashi will be hoping for no mechanical problems in Malaysia and hopefully we will see his attacking style once more.
Marussia then looks to head up the rear of the field once more, with the poorest package on the grid. They did get both cars home though, which is a positive start and Max Chilton will be hoping to keep his 100% finishing record going. What can be said is the Ferrari engine, even though down on performance is ever so reliable. Bianchi will be hoping not to lose 6 laps even before he sets of and hopefully both can start from the grid and not the pits and see the end of the race.
That is all from me for now. You shall hear from me next in my Malaysian GP review blog, so enjoy the build up, qualifying and race, wherever you are in the world and you will hear from me soon.
Simon
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