Malaysian Grand Prix *official thread*

[Ranger]

60% chance of rain, anyone?

http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/tenday/MYXX0008?from=search_10day

[ioan]

60% chance of rain, anyone?

http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/tenday/MYXX0008?from=search_10day

It would be good, but I doubt it will happen.

[Tazio]

60% chance of rain, anyone?

http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/tenday/MYXX0008?from=search_10day
Could be the first race where a driver that retired stands on the podium :D

[Ranger]

It would be good, but I doubt it will happen.

Yes I'll also wait and see. However, it has been raining almost without fail in Kuala Lumpur for almost two weeks now.

Would be brilliant if the year started with two kickarse races on back to back weekends though! :D


Could be the first race where a driver that retired stands on the podium :D
You should youtube "Monaco gp 1982" Taz... Only one driver finishes! :p

[ioan]

I hate back to backs week ends. Mostly because it means that we will have 3 and 4 weeks long breaks following them. And it's easier to justify having to stay home every 2nd week end (although now I can take my laptop and TV stick everywhere I go!).

[Ranger]

I hate back to backs week ends. Mostly because it means that we will have 3 and 4 weeks long breaks following them. And it's easier to justify having to stay home every 2nd week end (although now I can take my laptop and TV stick everywhere I go!).

This year is much better in that regard. There was two 4-week breaks between the first 5 grands prix last year, whereas there's none at all this year.

Three-week breaks I can stand thanks to MotoGP. :p

[Ninse]

It would be a great GP, thought after this last chaotic australian GP all the teams would be more relaxed, in addition we don't forget that sepang has a big track

[Kevincal]

It's going to be pretty wild with rain in the mix. I can't wait. :)

[ioan]

Vettel would be impressive if it would rain both in qualifying and race, that's all I know.

[jens]

You should youtube "Monaco gp 1982" Taz... Only one driver finishes! :p

Actually 4th and 5th placed Lotuses finished too, although a lap down. ;)

[F1boat]

If it rains, I think that Alonso and Vettel could challenge Lewis and will be faster than the Ferrari cars.

[aryan]

If it rains, I think that Alonso and Vettel could challenge Lewis and will be faster than the Ferrari cars.

As a Ferrari fan, you don't seem to have much confidence in your drivers F1boat, do you?

[SGWilko]

If it rains, I think that Alonso and Vettel could challenge Lewis and will be faster than the Ferrari cars.

Alonso through it away in the wet in '07 with TC, in a better handling car.....

[Ranger]

Alonso through it away in the wet in '07 with TC, in a better handling car.....

Lewis did that twice in the three wet races of 2007 in the best car on the grid. Does that mean he is not a contender either?

Matter of fact, of the three wet races of 2007,

Alonso scored 18 points
Raikkonen scored 16 points
Lewis scored 10 points

all from a possible 30.

[Storm]

Barrichello is a good bet in a wet race...as for the top guys, I think Kimi is better in the wet than Alonso and Hamilton but we will see.
Looks like should be a good race either way.

[Valve Bounce]

I can remember heavy rain in KL. It really buckets down. The deployment of the safety car in heavy rain conditions could make staying on the track very difficult. I think there is a tyre choice called monsoon tyres, isn't there?

[Ranger]

I can remember heavy rain in KL. It really buckets down. The deployment of the safety car in heavy rain conditions could make staying on the track very difficult. I think there is a tyre choice called monsoon tyres, isn't there?

There's a)wet, b)intermediate and c)dry.

There was a monsoon tyre once upon a time, but as explained by Martin Brundle in Fuji last year, whenever it was ever wet enough for that tyre to be used, the Safety Car was deployed anyway, hence making that specific tyre redundant.

[ioan]

Lewis did that twice in the three wet races of 2007 in the best car on the grid. Does that mean he is not a contender either?

Matter of fact, of the three wet races of 2007,

Alonso scored 18 points
Raikkonen scored 16 points
Lewis scored 10 points

all from a possible 30.

Exactly what I was thinking!
Where's MS when you need him?! He would have had a pretty nice score with 3 wet races.
Anyway we now got Vettel to impress in the rain.

[SGWilko]

Exactly what I was thinking!
Where's MS when you need him?! He would have had a pretty nice score with 3 wet races.
Anyway we now got Vettel to impress in the rain.

:up: Both Senna and Schumi displayed a rare talent in the wet without TC equiped cars.

I expect many odd lines being tried in the wet this season to find the grip.

I have one image (in my memory) from Suzuka I think, not quite sure if it's '95 or '96, of Hill pulling out of a corner really having to play with the throttle to find the grip, being chased down by Michael.

[Big Ben]

Exactly what I was thinking!
Where's MS when you need him?! He would have had a pretty nice score with 3 wet races.
Anyway we now got Vettel to impress in the rain.

where was he in Hungary in 2006? at one point I know he was on the inside and FA on the outside... and if I remember it right at the next turn he was behind and FA in front... and after a few laps back together with MS in front and FA behind.. or I could say that MS was some 4 kms and some meters behind FA... you could see it either way though it's not that relative

This brought me such good memories! Where's Schu when you need him? I shouldn't be so nostalgic. I have this ex-young prospect, now proven product filling up the empty place MS left in my heart.

[aryan]

There's a)wet, b)intermediate and c)dry.

There was a monsoon tyre once upon a time, but as explained by Martin Brundle in Fuji last year, whenever it was ever wet enough for that tyre to be used, the Safety Car was deployed anyway, hence making that specific tyre redundant.


I believe they are now called 1) Extreme Wet 2) Wet 3) Dry
just a matter of terminology ofcourse.

And your point about monsoon tyres are correct, they are no longer used in F1

[Big Ben]

i hope that if we have another wet race they won't decide again to make some 20 laps with the safety car on track like they did in Japan.

[ioan]

where was he in Hungary in 2006?

What about China 2006?!
MS went past FA like if he was napping in a parking! :p :

Next time you want to poke fun at someone (without being invited) prepare to get it back doubled, at least from me. I've seen many like you before and they all vanished sooner or later!

[Big Ben]

What about China 2006?!
MS went past FA like if he was napping in a parking! :p :

Next time you want to poke fun at someone (without being invited) prepare to get it back doubled, at least from me. I've seen many like you before and they all vanished sooner or later!

you are right.. I got kind of bored about all this non sense yapping but if i leave you shouldn't take credit for it because you are the reason I still come here :laugh:

[SGWilko]

Feck me, sometimes you are just so funny sonshine... :rotflmao:


What about China 2006?!
MS went past FA like if he was napping in a parking! :p : That's how my car gets scratched up in car parks, inconsiderate feckers driving way too fast


Next time you want to poke fun at someone (without being invited)

Oooohhhh, get you big boy, we need your royal seal of approval now, do we?


prepare to get it back doubled

Let me guess, with brass nobs on as well? :laugh:

[ioan]

I see you want some too! :p :

[gm99]

Could be the first race where a driver that retired stands on the podium :D

Well, at last year's Nürburgring race, Michael Schumacher (retired) stood on the podium - to hand a trophy to his "friend" Ron Dennis ;)

[F1boat]

As a Ferrari fan, you don't seem to have much confidence in your drivers F1boat, do you?

in the engines and I think that Kimi is competent, but not the best in wet conditions.

[janneppi]

I've seen many like you before and they all vanished sooner or later!
Are you quite sure you'll be here to see that? ;)

[jens]

Alonso scored 18 points
Raikkonen scored 16 points
Lewis scored 10 points


And Massa scored 17. ;) Not bad compared to these three. :p :

[ioan]

And Massa scored 17. ;) Not bad compared to these three. :p :

How dare you?! Didn't you know that he is an average driver? ;)

[samuratt]

I would say a wheel to wheel lover!!! I hope this race Massa can stay away from other cars! :D

If it rains I think Alonso, Vettel, Bourdais and Sutil can shine above the rest. About Kimi i have never regarded him as a very good driver in wet conditions, though he is not a bad driver at all!!!! I expect Massa to have a harder time in the wet and without TC... It can be a nightmare to manny drivers, even those that are supossed to be more skillfull.

I would love to see a wet race!!!!

[Ranger]

Exactly what I was thinking!
Where's MS when you need him?! He would have had a pretty nice score with 3 wet races.
Anyway we now got Vettel to impress in the rain.

Hmm... Remember Kimi smoked out of 3rd at the Nurburgring... so he may have got 22 - but that's just playing with statistics.

I'm still sitting on the fence about Vettel and his abilities. In the dry he wasn't faster than Liuzzi last year. His wet-weather skills are almost fabled, but I don't think they're really that brilliant. In Fuji he gambled on an extreme wet set-up on Saturday and the conditions remained on Sunday. He didn't spin during the race and set the 5th-fastest lap time, but spun Alonso and wiped out Webber and himself under SC.
In China he didn't spin out and had a very fortuitous pit strategy regarding the weather changes, setting the 13th fastest lap time.

He's quite a talent, but as I said, I have a hard time believing that he's quite as good as some people are saying, at this point in time.

As for the race:

There's still a 60% chance of rain for Saturday and Sunday.

[ioan]

He didn't spin during the race and set the 5th-fastest lap time, but spun Alonso and wiped out Webber and himself under SC.

We all know who's fault that was and how the rules were changed afterwards because of that.

[pino]

There's still a 60% chance of rain for Saturday and Sunday.

According to ital media the chances are now 90% ;)

[ioan]

According to ital media the chances are now 90% ;)

Yeah, and by Saturday it will be 10% and only 0.1% Sunday. :s

[ShiftingGears]

We all know who's fault that was and how the rules were changed afterwards because of that.

Yes we do. It was Vettel's fault.

[ioan]

Yes we do. It was Vettel's fault.

Wrong answer! It was Webber's fault! :p :

[almattitude_v1]

Well, it has been raining over here for the past few days...

No drivers aid + rain = ???

[Storm]

= mess

Should be fun to watch...
but like ioan said....often it ends up being totally dry on sundays when its predicted to be wet :s

[almattitude_v1]

Wont be going to the race, but if I watch it at home, will update you guys about the weather before the race... If I am not watching it at home, then i cant...

[Ranger]

Practice 1 times:


Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:35.392 20
2. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:36.459 + 1.067 8
3. Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:36.556 + 1.164 21
4. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) 1:36.578 + 1.186 23
5. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:36.626 + 1.234 17
6. Alonso Renault (B) 1:37.022 + 1.630 18
7. Piquet Renault (B) 1:37.034 + 1.642 28
8. Kubica BMW Sauber (B) 1:37.218 + 1.826 9
9. Button Honda (B) 1:37.282 + 1.890 17
10. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:37.540 + 2.148 24
11. Heidfeld BMW Sauber (B) 1:37.649 + 2.257 17
12. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) 1:37.649 + 2.257 18
13. Barrichello Honda (B) 1:37.776 + 2.384 20
14. Glock Toyota (B) 1:37.782 + 2.390 27
15. Vettel Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:38.219 + 2.827 26
16. Coulthard Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:38.232 + 2.840 7
17. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:38.707 + 3.315 12
18. Bourdais Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:38.798 + 3.406 25
19. Fisichella Force India-Ferrari (B) 1:39.046 + 3.654 21
20. Sato Super Aguri-Honda (B) 1:40.178 + 4.786 11
21. Davidson Super Aguri-Honda (B) 1:40.351 + 4.959 14
22. Sutil Force India-Ferrari (B) 1:41.269 + 5.877 5

Vettel spun off after a brake failure, Webber's car blew up, Sutil's engine blew up, Coulthard's car fell to bits after an off.

[Tazio]

Felipe Massa dominated the opening practice session for the Malaysian Grand Prix, lapping just over a second clear of the rest of the field.

The Brazilian led a Ferrari one-two ahead of teammate Kimi Raikkonen - despite the latter stopping with a mechanical problem just after the halfway point.

The Ferrari was retrieved under the red flag that was caused almost simultaneously when Sponge Bob thrashed another Red Bull
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/65929

[Roamy]

Sponge Bob now that is funny as hell

[Tazio]

Sponge Bob now that is funny as hell
I can't take credit for it however!

The Scot appeared to run wide across the asphalt run-off on the exit of the 160mph turn 12, but the real damage was done as he attempted to rejoin the circuit and was launched into the air by a lethal kerb on the inside of turn 13.

HMMMMMMMM! Rejoining at 160mph over a turn kerb? Can't waite to see that one! I'm glad the lad is Ok!
You would think they would go over things like "how, and how not to use a "lethal" turn kerbs in safety meetings ;)

[Tazio]

Sponge Bob now that is funny as hell
I can't take credit for it however!

The Scot appeared to run wide across the asphalt run-off on the exit of the 160mph turn 12, but the real damage was done as he attempted to rejoin the circuit and was launched into the air by a lethal kerb on the inside of turn 13.

HMMMMMMMM! Rejoining at 160mph over a turn kerb? Can't waite to see that one! I'm glad the lad is Ok!
You would think they would go over things like "how, and how not to use a "lethal" turn kerb in safety meetings ;)

[Tazio]

;)

[Shifter]

Before this GP starts, let me say that Sepang has some incredibly technical places where you are either trailbraking into decreasing radius corners or making hard fast left-right transitions. Absent T/C, there could be alot of spinouts with or without rain.

.02

[pino]

30min left of 2nd practice and Kimi fastest followed by Lewis, Massa and Vettel :eek:

[pino]

practice are over and Lewis was the quickest, Massa 2nd, Kimi 3rd...can't wait for tomorrow's Pole :D btw Renault's are only 14th and 15th :s

[Tazio]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/65940
Red Bull Racing have been summoned to see the race stewards at the Malaysian Grand Prix following David Coulthard's incident in this morning's free practice session.

Coulthard suffered a spectacular accident when his car ran off the track at Turn 13 in first practice. The front suspension broke apart as it clouted a kerb, and he was pitched into the gravel trap on the outside of the corner.


A statement issued by the race stewards said: "Following a verbal report from the Race Director, the Team Principal and the Technical Representative are required to report to the Stewards of the Meeting to discuss the incident involving Car no. 9 during practice session 1 as soon as possible, after the end of practice session 2."

[ozrevhead]

Vettel spun off after a brake failure,Webber's car blew up, Sutil's engine blew up, Coulthard's car fell to bits afterban off.
oh crud :(

Did mark cross 1000 black cats or somthing -jeeze! :(

[pino]

2nd practice :

1. Hamilton (GB, McLaren) 1'35"055,
2. Massa (Bra, Ferrari) 1'35"206
3. Raikkonen (Fin, Ferrari) 1'35"428
4. Button (GB, Honda) 1'36"037
5. Vettel (Ger, Toro Rosso) 1'36"474
6. Trulli (Ita, Toyota) 1'36"493
7. Kovalainen (Fin, McLaren) 1'36"512
8. Kubica (Pol, Bmw Sauber) 1'36"671
9. Fisichella (Ita, Force India) 1'36"756
10. Nakajima (Gia, Williams) 1'36"838
11. Barrichello (Bra, Honda) 1'36"879
12. Rosberg (Ger, Williams) 1'36"908
13. Heidfeld (Ger, Bmw Sauber) 1'37"106
14. Alonso (Spa, Renault) 1'37"328
15. Piquet (Bra, Renault) 1'37"331
16. Webber (Aus, Red Bull) 1'37"7346
17. Glock (Ger, Toyota) 1'37"512
18. Sutil (Ger, Force India) 1'37"614
19. Sato (Gia, Super Aguri) 1'39"021
20. Davidson (GB, Super Aguri) 1'39"361

Bourdais (Fra, Toro Rosso), Coulthard (GB, Red Bull) no time

1st practice :

1. Massa (Bra, Ferrari) in 1'35"392
2. Raikkonen (Fin, Ferrari) 1'36"459
3. Kovalainen (Fin, McLaren) 1'36"556
4. Rosberg (Ger, Williams) 1'36"578
5. Hamilton (GB, McLaren) 1'36"626
6. Alonso (Spa, Renault) 1'37"022
7. Piquet (Bra, Renault) 1'37"034
8. Kubica (Pol, Bmw Sauber) 1'37"218
9. Button (GB, Honda) 1'37"282
10. Trulli (Ita, Toyota) 1'37"540
11. Heidfeld (Ger, Bmw Sauber) 1'37"649
12. Nakajima (Gia, Williams) 1'37"649
13. Barrichello (Bra, Honda) 1'37"776
14. Glock (Ger, Toyota) 1'37"782
15. Vettel (Ger, Toro Rosso) 1'38"219
16. Coulthard (GB, Red Bull) 1'38"232
17. Webber (Aus, Red Bull) 1'38"707
18. Bourdais (Fra, Toro Rosso) 1'38"798
19. Fisichella (Ita, Force India) 1'39"046
20. Sato (Gia, Super Aguri) 1'40"178
21. Davidson (GB, Super Aguri) 1'40"351
22. Sutil (Ger, Force India) 1'41"269

[Sleeper]

If it is a wet race, I'd put money on Button at least getting a podium in the Honda, just remember how fast he went in that barge of a car he had last year. In fact, I'm surprised I'm the first person to mention him in regards to wet weather racing in this thread.

[RJL25]

Sleeper - no one has mentioned button in the wet because in the wet GP last year at mt fuji there where more impressive performances then buttons, the performance of webber and vettel spring to mind (before vettel screwed up obviously)

[Schnell]

If it is a wet race, I'd put money on Button at least getting a podium in the Honda, just remember how fast he went in that barge of a car he had last year. In fact, I'm surprised I'm the first person to mention him in regards to wet weather racing in this thread.

Drivers in the wet is a bit of a myth...it depends on the cars set up, castor mainly from my experience, and tyre condition and effectiveness, if good, gives the driver great confidence.

e.g. 1995 I ran Ant in a round of the British kart champs in Northern Ireland after mediocre heats in the dry, It rained very heavily for the finals, he stormed thru from grid 18 to win the race by heroic proportions, by half a lap over the best drivers in the top junior(JICA) championship...it was pure set up, castor angles.tyre pressures etc that gave the driver great feel and confidence.

Sorry to spoil the myth of heroic Regenmeisters, there's no such thing, only good cars with the best set up, racing is luck and circumstance! Luck to be in the right place at the right time, that includes the car and it's position on the track.

[jens]

If it's going to be a wet Malaysian Grand Prix, then I'm not trying to think, how many drivers will finish the race after having seen a dry Australian GP. :D

The probability of a safety car's appearance is probably smaller as the run-off areas are bigger. At Sepang it has rained only in 2001 and when it started raining, then quite a lot of drivers spun off immediately (some of them managed to continue though), so now with the loss of TC and the increase of drivers errors we might see something like that again (something like at the Nürburgring last year? :p : ). Watch out for Force India - one of their drivers might snatch a point in such conditions. :p :

[jens]

Sorry to spoil the myth of heroic Regenmeisters, there's no such thing, only good cars with the best set up, racing is luck and circumstance! Luck to be in the right place at the right time, that includes the car and it's position on the track.

Spot on! :up: I think right decisions are more important in the wet than pure driving skills. With good driving one might gain a couple of tenths per lap, but with the perfect setup one might gain a second or more per lap. I think a great result due to right strategical thinking should be rated higher than it's done (the credit is often given racing ability). For example Winkelhock made the right decision last year at the Nürburgring, which made him look good, although by pure driving speed he could have not been quick at all.

Brains are the key for success in the wet, not exactly so-called driving skills. Several Schumacher's wet weather wins have been the result of correct decisions (like Esp'96, Mon'97, Bel'97, Mal'01). Also it can be said that Senna's wet weather racing is overrated. Besides a few races, where he had the best setup that made him look like a god, there were several wet races, where he did absolutely nothing remarkable (Snm'91, Esp 91 & 92 etc).

Surely there are some differences (probably bigger than in the dry) between drivers in driving in the wet, but they are not as big as one might suggest and it's often hard to say that who is exactly superior to another.

[jens]

Who wants more specific analysis of today's tests, might look at here:
http://www.fia.com/resources/documents/1486575335__MAL_08_Second_Session_Lap_Times.pdf

Toyota's pace makes optimistic. The laptimes of Trulli's long stint were high 1:36's and it can be said that only two top teams (Fer & McL) were looking better at that area. If only that car stays in one piece during the race...

[BDunnell]

Spot on! :up: I think right decisions are more important in the wet than pure driving skills. With good driving one might gain a couple of tenths per lap, but with the perfect setup one might gain a second or more per lap. I think a great result due to right strategical thinking should be rated higher than it's done (the credit is often given racing ability). For example Winkelhock made the right decision last year at the Nürburgring, which made him look good, although by pure driving speed he could have not been quick at all.

Brains are the key for success in the wet, not exactly so-called driving skills. Several Schumacher's wet weather wins have been the result of correct decisions (like Esp'96, Mon'97, Bel'97, Mal'01). Also it can be said that Senna's wet weather racing is overrated. Besides a few races, where he had the best setup that made him look like a god, there were several wet races, where he did absolutely nothing remarkable (Snm'91, Esp 91 & 92 etc).

Surely there are some differences (probably bigger than in the dry) between drivers in driving in the wet, but they are not as big as one might suggest and it's often hard to say that who is exactly superior to another.

I agree too. Very often, a more detailed look at the results of supposed 'Regenmeister' in all wet races, rather than just the ones they did well in, shows that there's not much truth in the assertion. I mean, while you mention Schumacher's wet weather successes, one can't help but recall him sliding off at Monaco in 1996. All of this goes for other racing formulae, too.

[ioan]

Who wants more specific analysis of today's tests, might look at here:
http://www.fia.com/resources/documents/1486575335__MAL_08_Second_Session_Lap_Times.pdf

Toyota's pace makes optimistic. The laptimes of Trulli's long stint were high 1:36's and it can be said that only two top teams (Fer & McL) were looking better at that area. If only that car stays in one piece during the race...

Thanks for the info.
Also interesting is that the Ferrari drivers posted their best times at the end of 10+ laps stints, on the other hand Lewy's best time was set on the first lap of a 4 laps stint aka Qualifying simulation!

[waitey]

Kubica's gearbox was changed in FP1, but I can't find anywhere to say he is being penalised 5 places on the grid? Can anyone confirm this? It would be a real blow to him. He is starting to have some real bad luck so hopefully he doesn't get penalised.

[Ranger]

Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Heidfeld BMW Sauber (B) 1:35.019 18
2. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:35.262 + 0.243 17
3. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:35.388 + 0.369 17
4. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:35.389 + 0.370 20
5. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:35.437 + 0.418 16
6. Coulthard Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:35.653 + 0.634 17
7. Piquet Renault (B) 1:35.768 + 0.749 15
8. Button Honda (B) 1:35.781 + 0.762 19
9. Vettel Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:35.827 + 0.808 16
10. Glock Toyota (B) 1:35.911 + 0.892 21
11. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:35.927 + 0.908 13
12. Alonso Renault (B) 1:36.068 + 1.049 14
13. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) 1:36.183 + 1.164 14
14. Fisichella Force India-Ferrari (B) 1:36.229 + 1.210 21
15. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) 1:36.490 + 1.471 7
16. Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:36.529 + 1.510 16
17. Kubica BMW Sauber (B) 1:36.618 + 1.599 19
18. Bourdais Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:36.668 + 1.649 15
19. Sato Super Aguri-Honda (B) 1:36.908 + 1.889 14
20. Sutil Force India-Ferrari (B) 1:36.939 + 1.920 21
21. Davidson Super Aguri-Honda (B) 1:37.140 + 2.121 12
22. Barrichello Honda (B) 1:37.703 + 2.684 6

Nick didn't show up too badly, would be nice if he got pole this arvo!

Also, the rain is still expected (50% chance for Sunday), but only for late in the afternoon, meaning it may not have any influence over Quali or the race, although it was raining heavily from 5pm and through the night on Friday...

[osg]

Given that top 10............ i'd love to see quali mixed up like that... would make for an interesting race, thats for sure.

[janneppi]

Why are Toyotas so high after Q2? :p :

[gloomyDAY]

Why are Toyotas so high after Q2? :p :Don't know, but Pino is going to be happy that Trulli made 5th.

[osg]

Massa must be running a short stint tomorrow, given the gap back to Raikkonen.

Huge from Trulli, can he translate that into a result tomorrow?

[gloomyDAY]

Massa must be running a short stint tomorrow, given the gap back to Raikkonen.

Huge from Trulli, can he translate that into a result tomorrow?
Sadly, no. :(

[Tazio]

Massa must be running a short stint tomorrow, given the gap back to Raikkonen.

Huge from Trulli, can he translate that into a result tomorrow?
Massa and Kimi are probably on slightly different strategies!
I think everyone is running a little light with the threat of rain, and changing conditions.
I guess we'll see!

[pino]

Don't know, but Pino is going to be happy that Trulli made 5th.

Indeed I am :D and I hope in the race bad luck won't hit him again :mad:


Why are Toyotas so high after Q2? :p :

Because finally Toyota's engineeres are listen to Jarno's advices :p :

[jens]

Forza Jarno!! It was an awesome sight to see him taking P1 in Q1.

Toyota is very quick if anyone doubted about that before, but... there won't be much use of it if the car breaks down again. :rolleyes:

And also Felipe Massa - that was an incredible lap, half a second advantage. :eek: Where did that one come from? Such gap is big even for a few laps lighter fuel load. Hopefully he can keep it together tomorrow and respond to his critics. Ferrari is expected to be more competitive over race distance, so will the Reds have an untouchable race if it's dry?

BMW not so spectacular as at Melbourne - wonder, how competitive will they be over race distance, where they have had more struggle? Piquet seemed a lot better than at Melbourne.

Williams on the other hand was a bitter blow (16th and 18th?? :o ). Toro Rosso not that great either. It looks like such performances they showed at Melbourne, are rare occurances this season.



Huge from Trulli, can he translate that into a result tomorrow?

Surely if the car is reliable. Sepang is one of the favourite circuits for Jarno. ;)

[janneppi]

It will be interesting to see the fuel differenes between Macs and Ferraris, I suspect Massa might be sligtly lighter than Kimi, but not as much as the time difference in Q3 would indicate.

[osg]

And also Felipe Massa - that was an incredible lap, half a second advantage. :eek: Where did that one come from? Such gap is big even for a few laps lighter fuel load. Hopefully he can keep it together tomorrow and respond to his critics. Ferrari is expected to be more competitive over race distance, so will the Reds have an untouchable race if it's dry?

turns out Kimi couldn't quite get the feel for the F2008 on that last set of tyres.......... i still think Felipe is a slightly lighter than the Iceman.

[Tazio]

turns out Kimi couldn't quite get the feel for the F2008 on that last set of tyres.......... i still think Felipe is a slightly lighter than the Iceman.I think the Ferrari really took to the new smoother surface of the track!

[Ranger]

BMW not so spectacular as at Melbourne -

Heidfeld was held up by both McLarens on his flyer and was quite annoyed afterwards. He may have been higher up the grid if not for this:

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/4897/wmplayer200803220823552lm2.jpg

I'd like to see footage, but you can clearly see Heidfeld has to move off and back onto the racing line to take the corner because both McLaren's are cruising at 60mph on their in-laps on the racing line whilst Heidfeld is still on his flying lap.

Considering Glock was penalised in Oz for impeding someone in Q1, I think penalties are in order here.

[Ranger]

And, voila...

Alonso and Heidfeld complain to stewards (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/65989)

Fernando Alonso and Nick Heidfeld have complained to the stewards after they encountered slowing cars on their final qualifying attempts.

[jens]

What I would also note that despite quite a challenging track for drivers we saw less mistakes than in Australia - probably the Oz GP was just an 'adaption weekend' for drivers. ;)

Laptimes from qualifying tell that while Ferrari was clearly fastest, then behind them both in Q2 and Q3 McLaren, Trulli and BMWs were within two tenths. Jarno has said that Toyota's race pace is even better than qualifying pace (and we saw that in Australia - he wasn't running too far behind Rosberg-Heidfeld duo before retirement) - it would be incredible if he could keep the pace of McLarens in the race!

The qualifying comparison between McLaren and BMW is quite similar to what we saw in Oz (if we conclude from here that the race pace is similar too, then McLaren should run away from the Beemers). But Ferrari is a lot better this weekend and has made McL-BMW duo look quite ordinary.

Expect to rise Williams in the race - hard to score any points though (in "normal conditions" without rain and Safety car mess of course). And maybe we'll finally get a proper comparison between STR drivers.

[janneppi]

And, voila...

Alonso and Heidfeld complain to stewards (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/65989)
Both Heikki and Hamilton were on the wrong side of the track at that point. Did they forgot someone was still trying to get a lap. I'm not sure how much they slowed down others, but a 5 place grid position move downwards isn't too far fetched.

[Ranger]

Both Heikki and Hamilton were on the wrong side of the track at that point. Did they forgot someone was still trying to get a lap. I'm not sure how much they slowed down other, but a 5 place grid position move downwards isn't too far fetched.

I agree.

But because Alonso AND Heidfeld were blocked....

10 places each? :D Would be interesting come Sunday. :p :

[Tazio]

Fred wouldn't lodge a complaint against his old "con pinchy's" ;)

[Tazio]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/65998
Y'awl boys are in a heap 'o trouble!

[BDunnell]

How stupid is that? I'm sure it wasn't deliberate, but that makes it even more stupid, because they ought to have realised that dawdling along on the racing line and getting in the way of others brings with it the risk of penalty.

However, I would add that this used to happen all the time in the old days of a single session and, unless the blocking was of absurd proportions, everyone just used to live with it.

[Tazio]

Because of the urgency of being sure they beat the rain. Is it possible that the McLaren drivers forgot they weren't last in the session (as they try to be, and uaually are) You only really get two shots at a hot lap in Q3. Don't be surprised if they get penalized!

[Dr. Krogshöj]

McLaren made a serious mistake and they have to pay the price for that. Footage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3_GjtJ9SIY

[Tazio]

McLaren made a serious mistake and they have to pay the price for that. Footage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3_GjtJ9SIYNice job Doc!

[BDunnell]

Whoever was in the second of the two McLarens there suddenly gets off the racing line afterwards. Clearly, they had realised their mistake. Again, I'd say it's unintentional, but a very silly, basic error.

[Tazio]

http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?id=42091&PO=42091
They are playing every card they have for max points!

[ioan]

I agree.

But because Alonso AND Heidfeld were blocked....

10 places each? :D Would be interesting come Sunday. :p :

Well usually they lose their best times or the Q3 times, so we might see them starting 9th and 10th!
Let's see how they do when not starting upfront! :D

[BDunnell]

http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?id=42091&PO=42091
They are playing every card they have for max points!

If the car lasts and nothing else happens, I'm sure he'll make a steady, if unspectacular, rise through the field.

[osg]

Both Heikki and Hamilton were on the wrong side of the track at that point. Did they forgot someone was still trying to get a lap. I'm not sure how much they slowed down others, but a 5 place grid position move downwards isn't too far fetched.

+1.......... whats good for one (re: Glock) should also be applied to others i feel.

[Tazio]

If the car lasts and nothing else happens, I'm sure he'll make a steady, if unspectacular, rise through the field.
It should be interesting. I'm not sure it will help him. But he likes this track,
and I think the smooth surface plays into his hand a little if he runs heavy!
It could work against him if he has to start on intermediates,
and have to deal with a rapidly drying line. He has a tendency to torture his fronts in those conditions!

I really am impressed with his patience, and perspective. Love him, or hate him, he is a driver to be admired.

[ShiftingGears]

To take a leaf out of Tinchote's book...

Stupid Rules = Stupid Consequences.

[Ranger]

McLaren made a serious mistake and they have to pay the price for that. Footage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3_GjtJ9SIY

Dang... :\

Regardless of whether that was intentional, that was both negligent and extremely dangerous. For that, both drivers should be rightly penalised... drivers in the past have been dumped down the grid for much lesser incidents.

[Bezza]

They should both get 5 place penalties at the very least. To cruise round at such a slow speed when other cars are on fast laps is bad enough, to do so on the racing line is just stupid. I'd actually send them to the back of the grid, whilst the FIA should create a rule which means the cars have to run at a sensible speed back to the pits after there qualy lap.

[ArrowsFA1]

The potential for this kind of thing to happen was there from the moment Q3 was changed, and it would have made sense to include some sort of rule within the changes about drivers on the cooling down laps - perhaps they should lap within 110% of their quickest lap time or something like that.

Still, even if that happened, they'd be lapping slower than someone on a qualy lap and the risk of a quick car coming across a slow car at the wrong time would still be there, as it always has been.

The only way to eliminate this kind of thing entirely is to have one car/one lap 'shoot-out' qualifying again.

[markabilly]

Now we shall see how fair the rules will be applied this year. In the past years, minimal "blocking" cost ten grid places (and at Monza one year, i would have not called it blocking, but a penalty was imposed anyway), and last year, doing it to your team mate, while safely parked in the pits cost five grid places, and this was far worse, especially from the safety standpoint, so.......

meanwhile the replacement for RD was like, blocking, what blocking, why they got over as far as they could.....and there were those who thought things might change with RD not being around.....

[Ranger]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/66021

Both drivers penalised 5 places.

Maybe the rule should be changed now.

[jens]

So it's clear!

The grid will look like that: 3 Trulli, 4 Kubica, 5 Heidfeld, 6 Webber, 7 Alonso, 8 Kovalainen, 9 Hamilton, 10 Glock.

Jarno and Toyota, please try to make it to the finish without troubles! This may be the best chance to fight for a podium position in this season.

[ShiftingGears]

The potential for this kind of thing to happen was there from the moment Q3 was changed, and it would have made sense to include some sort of rule within the changes about drivers on the cooling down laps - perhaps they should lap within 110% of their quickest lap time or something like that.

Still, even if that happened, they'd be lapping slower than someone on a qualy lap and the risk of a quick car coming across a slow car at the wrong time would still be there, as it always has been.

The only way to eliminate this kind of thing entirely is to have one car/one lap 'shoot-out' qualifying again.

Maybe, but with previous qualifying rules there wasn't the neccessity to milk the cool down lap for all it was worth. It's a dumb rule.

In other news, Trulli starting third! Wow! And Webbers sixth place looks pretty handy...

[Bezza]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/7309337.stm

Aye, is on BBC as well now. This is a good decision from the FIA.

[Dr. Krogshöj]

Halleluja, justice prevails! I was afraid that 'higher forces' would prevent Lewis from being penalised for an obvious infringement of the rules but fortunately that was not the case.

[Ranger]

I agree, it is a fair punishment. Given the likeliness of afternoon rain the penalty will probably not mean much anyway. Bring on the race! :D

Trulli ends up 3rd, amazing result. All aboard the Trulli train! :D

[BDunnell]

A fair outcome.

[FIA]

C'mon Jarno! What are the chances of rain in the race?

[!Adi]

60 % ...

[Osella]

They should both get 5 place penalties at the very least. To cruise round at such a slow speed when other cars are on fast laps is bad enough, to do so on the racing line is just stupid.

:up: I agree, however I would also say that it is symptomatic of having a pairing of inexperienced drivers in fast cars... :!:

Therefore I would put a large amount of responsibility on the pitwall for this one; they should have notified the drivers to stay off the racing line, there are transponders on all cars after all, and McLaren placed great stock a few years ago in the fact they had pitwall technology with the ability to find gaps in the traffic for their cars...
If nobody reminds the drivers, sometimes it's not the first thing on their mind if it is not ingrained into them from several seasons of F1.
Bet they won't forget again tho... :laugh:

[Marbles]

It was the McLarens today but it could easily be another car\team next race that gets in the way when you have half a dozen cars practically idling their cars around the circuit while qualifying is still on because fuel strategy has usurped lap times in degree of importance.

Some unlucky sap is going to have a slower car change his line or come across a puttering car at full tilt either entering or exiting a corner and it will be a disaster. It doesn't matter who's at the wheel of either car. You can't have these massive differentials in speed. Do we really have to show these guys a clip of the Gilles Villeneuve tragedy to drive this point home?

They should pull their car off at pit exit until the remaining qualifiers have passed if they're going to continue with these silly rules.

[ozrevhead]

Maybe, but with previous qualifying rules there wasn't the neccessity to milk the cool down lap for all it was worth. It's a dumb rule.

In other news, Trulli starting third! Wow! And Webbers sixth place looks pretty handy...
Great stuff from Trulii :D Pino would be pleased!

I wouldnt hold my breath re Mark because id bet the car wont last 5 laps!

[DonJippo]

All aboard the Trulli train! :D

And this one going to be pretty long I bet ;)

[pino]

And this one going to be pretty long I bet ;)

Exactly 1 hour and 30 min... hopefully :p :

[ozrevhead]

Sorry Pino - Jarno can finsish 2nd behind Mark Tommorow! :D

[VkmSpouge]

Good qualifying session for the Ferraris they are clearly the cars to beat this weekend. Jarno Trulli having a very good session. McLarens clearly are struggling even without the 5 grid place penalty. Williams coming back to Earth with a bump today, they have no pace.

[gloomyDAY]

I hope rain comes down for the race.

Bourdais is hoping for "crazy" weather in order to make something of his qualifying position. Anyway, can only wish that the Seb's do well in their second race.

[Tazio]

So it's clear!

The grid will look like that: 3 Trulli, 4 Kubica, 5 Heidfeld, 6 Webber, 7 Alonso, 8 Kovalainen, 9 Hamilton, 10 Glock.

Jarno and Toyota, please try to make it to the finish without troubles! This may be the best chance to fight for a podium position in this season.
7 Alonzo ;) , 8 Kovalainian :) , 9 Hamilton :D Need I say more?
Oh yes Fred is running heavy! One or both of them may take him off the start.
If not they may find themselves way behind the leaders by the first pit stops!

[BDunnell]

7 Alonzo ;) , 8 Kovalainian :) , 9 Hamilton :D Need I say more?
Oh yes Fred is running heavy! One or both of them may take him off the start.
If not they may find themselves way behind the leaders by the first pit stops!

Ah yes, very good point. Another Barrichello/Raikkonen situation could arise there. But I think the overtaking opportunities at Sepang should allow the McLarens, despite their relative lack of pace compared to the Ferraris, to get past a heavily-fuelled Renault. Let's see!

[janneppi]

Kovalainen has the dirty side so it just might be that Hamilton is 7th in the first corner, that is if they are lighter than Alonso and it's not wet. :)

[Tazio]

Kovalainen has the dirty side so it just might be that Hamilton is 7th in the first corner, that is if they are lighter than Alonso and it's not wet. :) Acording to this link
http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.a...42091&PO=42091
Freds running heavy. We don't know what fuel strategy the McLarens are on!
On a separate note. I was glad Hamilton reassured me he is human!
I wouldn't sell Fred short in this situation! Although I believe he is much more interested in racing his race,
than screwing with someone else's

[Tazio]

^^^^^^^^^^^
The above link has been changed to:
http://www.itv-f1.com/news_article.aspx?id=42091

[gloomyDAY]

^^^^^^^^^^^
The above link has been changed to:
http://www.itv-f1.com/news_article.aspx?id=42091
Tazio, remember my prediction last night?

'Alonso will be in front of one of the McLaren's.'

I never thought it would have come to light!

[F1boat]

Well, I hope that Ferrari will be able to win. :)

[pettersolberg29]

Think this is a good chance for BMW to get their first win.
One of the Ferraris will probably not finsih (hopefully!)
Leaving only Trulli to ram past to get on the podium at least.

COME ON HEIDFELD!

[Tazio]

Tazio, remember my prediction last night?

'Alonso will be in front of one of the McLaren's.'

I never thought it would have come to light!
That's right Ha! ha!
How'd you do that?

[gloomyDAY]

That's right Ha! ha!
How'd you do that?Don't know.

Race prediction: Trulli will win. :D

[pino]

Sorry Pino - Jarno can finsish 2nd behind Mark Tommorow! :D

I would be very happy for that ;)



Don't know.

Race prediction: Trulli will win. :D

That even more :p :

[ShiftingGears]

So...

Is it raining?

[pino]

So...

Is it raining?

Not yet :p :

[Tazio]

ITV sai that chance of rain has been reduced to 10%???

[cosmicpanda]

I don't think it will rain.

[almattitude_v1]

Rain is predicted in about 20 minutes...

[gloomyDAY]

Massa screwed up again...

[osg]

Massa.... 2 races into the Non TC era..... 2 mistakes. Sums him up really for mine. He dropped his bundle big time when Kimi abused him on the inlap, leapfrogs him and then hammers him in the following outlaps...... game over and his mind wandered.

[osg]

Arrghhhhh..... Hamilton is gonna clean up Trulli here, and there goes another point in the gap between kimi and Hamilton....... Dammit.

Supreme effort from Hamilton though given the Macca is not quite right....

[pino]

Bravo Jarno ! :D

[osg]

Bravo Jarno ! :D

indeed......... but my boy Kimi was SUPREME. A great driver from Kubica also!!

[Valve Bounce]

Bravo Jarno ! :D

:up:

I cheered for Jarno :)

[Tazio]

:up:

I cheered for Jarno :)
I cheered for Trulli

[janneppi]

Good show from Kimi and Trulli, Heikki and McLaren need to pick up more pace in the next races.

[Tazio]

I want to hear Massa's excuse!!

[janneppi]

Apparently the rear of the car felt funny. :)

[Tazio]

Apparently the rear of the car felt funny. :) really! I don't think he even felt it!

[Tazio]

On the other hand.
It was a crushing win for Kimi :)

[Tazio]

Can we get Mike to take over Massa's seat for a few races?
Good Night!

[F1boat]

Kimi was brilliant today and Ferrari are back in the hunt. I am very happy :)

[Bradley]

I want to hear Massa's excuse!!You mix up ... Hamilton is the guy who always needs excuses ...

Massa had pole position. Drove in first place for 1/3 of the race. Then went off, so what? Mistakes happen when you're on the limit.

Remember Gilles ... who would think about wanting excuses from him?

[Eki]

Nice.

[Bradley]

Arrghhhhh..... Hamilton is gonna clean up Trulli here, and there goes another point in the gap between kimi and Hamilton....... Dammit.

Supreme effort from Hamilton though given the Macca is not quite right....

Poor Hamilton, he must feel like Alonso last year after 5-6 races : the new guy is faster both in qualifications as in the race. :D

[longisland]

Great job from Webber. He managed kept both Fred & Lewis honest on track. Let's hope he can break the jinx & his old habit of DNFs in this season

[cosmicpanda]

good racing by Alonso and DC, and good racing by Nick to overtake two cars at once.

Apart from that, it was a pretty standard race.

[markabilly]

once again if Beemer had a certain former wdc in one of its cars, who would be leading the wdc right now?

Nick: fastest lap and battled his way from fifth place at the start to finish sixth.....

[Tazio]

You mix up ... Hamilton is the guy who always needs excuses ...

Massa had pole position. Drove in first place for 1/3 of the race. Then went off, so what? Mistakes happen when you're on the limit.

Remember Gilles ... who would think about wanting excuses from him?He shouldn't of been on the limit in that situation!
He had relinquished first place, and was comfortably in second.
Mistakes happened last week. This week he should have brought it home in second.
This is 2008! As far as I know Gilles is still dead.
Otherwise I'd like to know if he had an excuse for throwing away 8 points!

[Tazio]

You mix up ... Hamilton is the guy who always needs excuses ...

Massa had pole position. Drove in first place for 1/3 of the race. Then went off, so what? Mistakes happen when you're on the limit.

Remember Gilles ... who would think about wanting excuses from him?
Excuse #1
Felipe Massa added, "On lap 31, I clipped the kerb at the exit to Turn 6 and hit it quite hard and then I lost the rear end going into the next corner. We have to check to see if the impact with the kerb damaged the car.
http://f1.gpupdate.net/en/news/2008/03/23/ferrari-happy-but-rues-lost-one-two/

[Bagwan]

once again if Beemer had a certain former wdc in one of its cars, who would be leading the wdc right now?

Nick: fastest lap and battled his way from fifth place at the start to finish sixth.....

Now yer talkin' , Billy boy !
I hear he has some free time right now .

[djparky]

aside from the odd moment it was a total yawn of a race- good result for Kimi though- very disappointing for Nico Rosberg though

[BTCC Fan#1]

This doesn't bode too well for the others.. :s



Q: And after that quite a lonely race, really?

KR: Yeah. For sure we could have gone much faster if we had pushed but we had already turned the engines down before the first pit stop, after the first laps, so it was quite easy for us.

[VkmSpouge]

Not the most exciting race but Kimi Raikkonen deserves his victory. Massa seemed to lose heart after Raikkonen passed him. Kubica drove consistently well to a good second place and Kovalainen was good value for his third place. I think Jarno Trulli had the best race, I was expecting the Toyota to plummet backwards through the field as is usual but he kept it up there and got a very good fourth place. Lewis Hamilton had a poor race. His start was good but after the pitstop and tyre choice cost him a chance of third place.

[pino]

A part from Trulli, Kimi's race was perfect, Kubica did a great job and earned a deserved 2nd place :up:

[Valve Bounce]

It was very interesting that, although he was in front of Lewis, Mark Webber knew who he was racing against and kept asking where Alonso was.

Clearly, Alonso was a little faster, but Mark held on for the extra point. Although Sepang is seemingly a very wide track, in reality, there is very little chance of overtaking.

[CNR]

ITV get f$#$#d

if lewis is the golden boy itv make him out to be why could he not just pass Mark Webber. itv said maney times that being stuck behind mark ruined lewis's race.

i think mclaren ruined lewis's race.

[yodasarmpit]

ITV get f$#$#d

if lewis is the golden boy itv make him out to be why could he not just pass Mark Webber. itv said maney times that being stuck behind mark ruined lewis's race.

i think mclaren ruined lewis's race.
I was disappointed by the way Hamilton was unable to pass anyone after the initial lap, I was expecting a lot when he made such a good start making up on the lost qualifying positions.
Maybe it's more of an issue with the current aerodynamics of the car, but getting stuck behind a slower car shouldn't hold you up for lap after lap, I would have expected him to have at least made an attempt to pass at some point.

[wmcot]

How come nobody has mentioned Massa squeezing Kimi to the wall at the start? Perhaps his off was a bit of justice?

[Valve Bounce]

How come nobody has mentioned Massa squeezing Kimi to the wall at the start? Perhaps his off was a bit of justice?

Saw it, but that just confirmed to me that there are no team orders anymore at Ferrari. I did feel that Massa left just enough room for Kimi with inches to spare. Good racing!

[ShiftingGears]

And Lewis Hamilton has had his race severely compromised by Mark Webber and the wheel gun failure....

And Lewis Hamilton has had his race severely compromised by Mark Webber and the wheel gun failure....

And Lewis Hamilton has had his race severely compromised by Mark Webber and the wheel gun failure....

And Lewis Hamilton has had his race severely compromised by Mark Webber and the wheel gun failure....

And Lewis Hamilton has had his race severely compromised by Mark Webber and the wheel gun failure....

Someone needs to slap Allen. He mentioned that at least 8 times.

Also, great in and out laps for Kimi. Definitely made up for his lacklustre Oz Gp.

[osg]

And Lewis Hamilton has had his race severely compromised by Mark Webber and the wheel gun failure....

And Lewis Hamilton has had his race severely compromised by Mark Webber and the wheel gun failure....

And Lewis Hamilton has had his race severely compromised by Mark Webber and the wheel gun failure....

And Lewis Hamilton has had his race severely compromised by Mark Webber and the wheel gun failure....

And Lewis Hamilton has had his race severely compromised by Mark Webber and the wheel gun failure....

Someone needs to slap Allen. He mentioned that at least 8 times.



that ruined the coverage for mine...... if Golden Balls Hamilton is as "hall of fame" as those twats make out, why on earth was he stuck behind Webber for 32 LAPS?????

Clowns they are. The Macca was a Dog all weekend, and the race confirmed it. Deal with it Allen, Blundell etc..

[JETFX...]

I only just noticed this thread after starting a new thread on the question I have in regard to the gain Hamilton made over Webber during the pit stops? I cant figure out if it had somthing to do with the TV coverage I was watching or Iam missing something else... can someone please expalin this to me.
Heres what I wrote on the other thread I started-

Is it me? TEN's coverage???
Can someone please explain to me what happened during the pit stops??? Stuffed if I can figure it out. @ the first stop Webber's in front of Hamilton by approx 1 sec. Webber does his stop in around 8 sec. Then Hamilton comes in stuffs up his stop which was approx 18-19 sec. and then comes out just behind Webber again Huh??????????
Second stop Webber still in front by approx 1 sec. does approx 8 sec stop again.... then Hamilton pits does a stop approx 8 sec. then Hamilton rejoins the length of the straight in front of Webber????????

I understand all to well how a fast in and out laps can gain a second or three, also the traffic factor and all yes, but stuffed if I can see how Hamilton made such dramatic gains.....did Webber have an off? that I missed?? Maybe the race was editied by TEN anyone got any suggestions :rolleyes:

[JETFX...]

Also what was that crap the commentator were going on about that Webber was holding Hamilton up??? Hamilton did not even get a wheel in front "once" while on the track chasing... Guess it proves one thing though just how fast Webber potentially can be. Bring on the first wet race :s mokin:

[ShiftingGears]

I only just noticed this thread after starting a new thread on the question I have in regard to the gain Hamilton made over Webber during the pit stops? I cant figure out if it had somthing to do with the TV coverage I was watching or Iam missing something else... can someone please expalin this to me.
Heres what I wrote on the other thread I started-

Is it me? TEN's coverage???
Can someone please explain to me what happened during the pit stops??? Stuffed if I can figure it out. @ the first stop Webber's in front of Hamilton by approx 1 sec. Webber does his stop in around 8 sec. Then Hamilton comes in stuffs up his stop which was approx 18-19 sec. and then comes out just behind Webber again Huh??????????
Second stop Webber still in front by approx 1 sec. does approx 8 sec stop again.... then Hamilton pits does a stop approx 8 sec. then Hamilton rejoins the length of the straight in front of Webber????????

I understand all to well how a fast in and out laps can gain a second or three, also the traffic factor and all yes, but stuffed if I can see how Hamilton made such dramatic gains.....did Webber have an off? that I missed?? Maybe the race was editied by TEN anyone got any suggestions :rolleyes:

The McLaren is a racewinning car while the Red Bull is not. The McLaren really is that much faster.

Cars lose aerodynamic grip through corners when trailing other cars.

[jens]

Trulli's 4th place is the main news for me of course. Hopefully he'll score more points during this season. :p : Glock has been one of the unluckiest drivers so far this year and it's still hard to rate him.

BMW's race pace was very good. Not as good as Ferrari's of course, but a lot more competitive than in Australia, where they couldn't match their quali's performance. We can't rule out that we might see even a 3-way battle for the title among teams like 2003! :eek: :up:

McLaren was a disappointment, they were struggling even against Toyota. If Trulli had stayed 3rd-4th after the first corners, he would have given Kovalainen a good race for the last podium spot (but instead of that was held up during the first two stints). On the contrary Red Bull looked quite decent despite all the problems they have had so far this season. Fifth best package at Sepang.

Williams has complained that the new track surface didn't suit them. Actually don't quite understand, how can that make their performance so much weaker than in Australia. Maybe Sakhir shows, what's their true level at the moment, hard to guess at the moment. Nakajima drove a good part of the race ahead of Rosberg, but in the end was a full lap behind. Didn't get a reason for this during the race, but later investigation shows that he had a puncture and a spin.

No-one gives notice, but a good drive by Fisichella too - he finished ahead of Barrichello's Honda for example.

[Dzeidzei]

Saw it, but that just confirmed to me that there are no team orders anymore at Ferrari. I did feel that Massa left just enough room for Kimi with inches to spare. Good racing!

Kimi said in a Finnish interview that it was close but fair. Massa gave him enough room and he decided not to risk it to the first corner. Good racing, Id say too.

[JETFX...]

The McLaren is a racewinning car while the Red Bull is not. The McLaren really is that much faster.

Cars lose aerodynamic grip through corners when trailing other cars.

Yes no doubt... Just in this case and during this race it did not look to be the case. The straight line speed was not that much better nor the cornering speed of Hamiltons car..... Oh well I guess it will make for interesting comparisons during the next few races if mechanical issues are out of the equasion with the Red Bull. The RB cars are much quicker than they were last year so I cannot agree that its going to be a 'given' necessarily that the McLaren is going to be vastly superior to the RB forever :s mokin:

[Tazio]

Hamilton faces battle to be McLaren No1 as Kovalainen looks to build of Sepang podium finish
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/motorsport.html?in_article_id=543633&in_page_id=1954
Are we headed for another blinking "tiff"
Could get bloody ugly old chap!

[mstillhere]

Also what was that crap the commentator were going on about that Webber was holding Hamilton up??? Hamilton did not even get a wheel in front "once" while on the track chasing... Guess it proves one thing though just how fast Webber potentially can be. Bring on the first wet race :s mokin:

There is also to say that ALONSO with a much slower car than Macca was able to pass Coulthard who drives the same car as Webber. So, I don't know how much we can blame aerodinamics working against LH here.

[wmcot]

Kimi said in a Finnish interview that it was close but fair. Massa gave him enough room and he decided not to risk it to the first corner. Good racing, Id say too.

But I have a feeling that if both McLarens were on the second row, one or both would have gotten by while Massa was playing MS with his teammate.

[markabilly]

But I have a feeling that if both McLarens were on the second row, one or both would have gotten by while Massa was playing MS with his teammate.
Yep, real clear there

[markabilly]

And Lewis Hamilton has had his race severely compromised by Mark Webber and the wheel gun failure....

And Lewis Hamilton has had his race severely compromised by Mark Webber and the wheel gun failure....

And Lewis Hamilton has had his race severely compromised by Mark Webber and the wheel gun failure....

And Lewis Hamilton has had his race severely compromised by Mark Webber and the wheel gun failure....

And Lewis Hamilton has had his race severely compromised by Mark Webber and the wheel gun failure....

.
Better LH's race than his virginity.......

[mstillhere]

But I have a feeling that if both McLarens were on the second row, one or both would have gotten by while Massa was playing MS with his teammate.

I think it is rather easy to make history with ifs and buts. My view instead is that IF the 2 McLarens would have right been behind the 2 Ferraris ALMOST CERTAINLY their strategy (including their start) would have totally been sifferent.

[Hawkmoon]

Hamilton's race wasn't ruined by Mark Webber. It was ruined by his own stupidity on Saturday by driving on the racing line at slow speed. The rest of his "misfortunes" were merely symptoms of this.

Hamilton spent 32 laps behind the Red Bull and never looked like passing. That says a lot for the Red Bull's speed or the McLaren's lack of speed or the nature of the Sepang circuit. Probably a bit of all three.

The thing that surprises me is that despite the obvious superiority of the Ferrari they didn't top the fastest lap chart.

http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2008/788/6490/fastest_laps.html

The Ferrari's were only 2nd and 5th and even Button managed to do a lap 2 tenths faster than Massa. The pace was obviously there but they didn't do it by setting hugely fast laps.

[Firstgear]

Why would Kimi want to throw in a fast lap when he has a comfortable lead and has to save his engine for the next race?

[Tazio]

Prior to the Malaysian Grand Prix, race organizers at Sepang said that they were considering a night race, but it was still only an option at this stage.

However, it now appears as if FOM chief, Bernie Ecclestone may have convinced them to go ahead with a night time event next year in an effort to boost television audiences.

The organizers here in Malaysia know it is necessary, both to attract television audiences in Europe and the public here. It will be very good for the people in Malaysia and anyone coming to visit the race as it will be very exciting,” he said.

According to Ecclestone, organizers have agreed to stage the race at 7 pm in 2009.
http://f1.automoto365.com/news/controller.php?lang=en&theme=default&month=3&year=2008&nextMode=GpNewsForm&news_id=30423

[Hawkmoon]

Why would Kimi want to throw in a fast lap when he has a comfortable lead and has to save his engine for the next race?

Considering how easy it was for the Ferraris to pull away from the field I find it surprising that others were able to turn as fast or faster lap times. Obviously Raikkonen wasn't pushed after Massa chucked it at the scenery so he backed off but the Ferrari must have been able to lap consistently quick to pull away from the rest without having to blitz the lap times.

Take Australia last year. Kimi won at a canter and set a lap time 1 second faster than anybody else. That didn't happen in Malaysia this year yet the victory was just as easy.

[Tazio]

The only explanation can be that Ferrari established their distance when everyone was running on substantial fuel loads, and or held up in traffic. Those fastest lap times don't mean much unless your at the sharp end, and can string several of them together or run them consistently with out any time-consuming mistakes! It is rather strange that Kimi's lap time right before his first pit stop wasn't among the fastest! Does anyone know how that time compares to the fastest laps of the race? KImi's Ferrari has another race to run. It's no accident that the fastest lap of the race was set by Nick on the second to last lap he needed to put on that engine.

[mstillhere]

Considering how easy it was for the Ferraris to pull away from the field I find it surprising that others were able to turn as fast or faster lap times. Obviously Raikkonen wasn't pushed after Massa chucked it at the scenery so he backed off but the Ferrari must have been able to lap consistently quick to pull away from the rest without having to blitz the lap times.

Take Australia last year. Kimi won at a canter and set a lap time 1 second faster than anybody else. That didn't happen in Malaysia this year yet the victory was just as easy.

Actually Ferrari decided to lower the RPMs in Kimis engine and saving it for Bahrain. After what happened in Australia there was no need to look for more trouble.

[janneppi]

It is rather strange that Kimi's lap time right before his first pit stop wasn't among the fastest! Does anyone know how that time compares to the fastest laps of the race?
Kimi and Massa were the only guys doing high 1:35's before the the first pit stops, others were doing 1:36.6's.

Kimi's lap times before his pit stop were fastest of the bunch at that time, which cost Massa the lead as he wasn't able to pull away before his stop.
Kimi's lap times
13 1:36.195
14 1:35.871
15 1:35.988
16 1:35.966
17 1:35.679
18 P 1:38.555

Massa's times
13 1:36.235
14 1:35.960
15 1:35.914
16 1:35.988
17 P 1:38.918
18 2:02.668

After the pitstops, Kimi ran 1:36.6's while Massa ran at 2-8 tenths slower until he spun off.
After that Kimi slowed down to until he ran couple of fast laps before his second pit stop
The last part he ran about the same pace as Kubica.

[wmcot]

I've watched the Speed and ITV versions of the race and there is no explanation as to why Bourdais went off. There were no replays on either version of the race (probably due to the same feed.)

Was another car involved or did he just lose it or suffer mechanical failure? After OZ, I was looking forward to see how he would do this year.

[Hawkmoon]

Was another car involved or did he just lose it or suffer mechanical failure? After OZ, I was looking forward to see how he would do this year.

That one. He said as much to Goodman when she interviewed him.

[Tazio]

I've watched the Speed and ITV versions of the race and there is no explanation as to why Bourdais went off. There were no replays on either version of the race (probably due to the same feed.)

Was another car involved or did he just lose it or suffer mechanical failure? After OZ, I was looking forward to see how he would do this year.

Here is the explanation in Bourdais' words:
Sebastien Bourdais
(STR2B-03)
Retired
“I made a good start, but then I found myself stuck between two gears. Then I got as far as Turn 4 where I was being passed on the right and then in Turn 5 I found myself on the inside with someone alongside me and by Turn 6 I was back on the outside and when I tried to turn to the right, I ended up on the dirty side and the car snapped away from me and I spun into the gravel. And so my race was over.”

The old stuck between gears excuse! ;)

[Tazio]

I've watched the Speed and ITV versions of the race and there is no explanation as to why Bourdais went off. There were no replays on either version of the race (probably due to the same feed.)

Was another car involved or did he just lose it or suffer mechanical failure? After OZ, I was looking forward to see how he would do this year.

Here is the explanation in Bourdais' words:
Sebastien Bourdais
(STR2B-03)
Retired
“I made a good start, but then I found myself stuck between two gears.
Then I got as far as Turn 4 where I was being passed on the right and then in Turn 5
I found myself on the inside with someone alongside me and by Turn 6 I was back on the outside
and when I tried to turn to the right, I ended up on the dirty side and the car snapped away from me
and I spun into the gravel. And so my race was over.”

The old stuck between gears excuse! ;)

[wmcot]

Here is the explanation in Bourdais' words:
Sebastien Bourdais
(STR2B-03)
Retired
“I made a good start, but then I found myself stuck between two gears.
Then I got as far as Turn 4 where I was being passed on the right and then in Turn 5
I found myself on the inside with someone alongside me and by Turn 6 I was back on the outside
and when I tried to turn to the right, I ended up on the dirty side and the car snapped away from me
and I spun into the gravel. And so my race was over.”

The old stuck between gears excuse! ;)

Thanks. At least the mystery is solved. Let's hope Bahrain is better to him.