Malaysian GP 2011 - Sepang

[raymondu999]

to be fair, did you expect them to say, "we expect we'll be slower at Sepang than we were at Melbourne"?

[horse]

Ian Fergusson is predicting rain.

MALAYSIA OUTLOOK: Early forecast modelling suggests a growing % chance of showers from Fri-Sun; turning thundery by Sunday. Highs 32-34C.

[raymondu999]

F1.com is also predicting a 24-31 celsius temperature range and T-storms. Though I love a wet race, I miss wet races, and not storm races. The last proper wet race I remember was in 2009 China. Something like that, I'd like. But I hope it won't be another 2009 Malaysia

[shelly]

to be fair, did you expect them to say, "we expect we'll be slower at Sepang than we were at Melbourne"?

Yes I know. But a lot of teams have reasonable elements to justify their "underperforming" in melbourne: tyre issues, setting issues, last minute parts not optimised...; and some of them will bring in updates.

So on ecould simply ask: who will climb up the order?

[horse]

But I hope it won't be another 2009 Malaysia

Yeah, it really rains in Malaysia, huh?! Unfortunately I would expect a cautious attitude from race control should it get heavy given the unknown nature of the Pirelli wets.

[raymondu999]

So on ecould simply ask: who will climb up the order?

I think by the nature of the track itself, it would favor a different car. Sepang is a more "Barcelona-like" benchmark track with straights, slow corners, and fast corners. Seems to me that Ferrari will probably bump back up and be fighting with McL for 2nd fastest car

[HampusA]

You're missing the point. In "ISOLATION" it's fast. A GP2 is very fast. Try lapping Albert Park in a road car, and then in an HRT. The HRT is well fast. it's just slower than the rest.

In isolation, nothing is fast, because everything is simply at a benchmark. Your comment amounts to nothing more than "when put relative to a road car the HRT is fast"... well no ---, if there was a single F1 car slower than a road car there's something seriously wrong (unless that road car is a Zonda R, but we'll ignore that). The bottom line – the HRT when compared to cars of the same category is horrifically slow, and even when compared to the category below is horrifically slow. Saying "well it's faster than a road car" doesn't amount to much.

This was at one track i believe. One where mechanical grip was a bigger factor then aerodynamic grip. Monaco..

The car is "relatively" slow. But´s it´s not a slow car generally.

[alelanza]

So on ecould simply ask: who will climb up the order?

I think by the nature of the track itself, it would favor a different car. Sepang is a more "Barcelona-like" benchmark track with straights, slow corners, and fast corners. Seems to me that Ferrari will probably bump back up and be fighting with McL for 2nd fastest car

Same here, and this is from a macca fan. In fact i wouldn't be surprised to see Mercedes and Renault fighting for 2nd spot with McLaren and Ferrari. On the other hand Macca's form in Australia surprised me as much as the next bloke, and it seems logical to expect them to be able to significantly refine their new diffuser and put themselves in a spot where RB at least won't be able to lap them hehe.

[Ferraripilot]

If it rains (which it probably will), I don't think we will deduce anything in regards to a further pecking order. Should be interesting!

[raymondu999]

I'm hoping for rain, but not a washout. I miss having a full-on wet-rain.

[Just_a_fan]

Whatever the weather, I expect to see the Red Bulls disappearing in to the distance. The high speed nature of most of the corners plays right in to their hands.

The only chance McLaren, Ferrari and Renault have is if they can go one less pit stop whilst being no more than 0.5-0.7s/lap slower than the RB7s. And even then it'd be pretty touch and go.

If Red Bull also bring their KERS then all bets are off...

[CHT]

Whatever the weather, I expect to see the Red Bulls disappearing in to the distance. The high speed nature of most of the corners plays right in to their hands.

The only chance McLaren, Ferrari and Renault have is if they can go one less pit stop whilst being no more than 0.5-0.7s/lap slower than the RB7s. And even then it'd be pretty touch and go.

If Red Bull also bring their KERS then all bets are off...

you are wrong. mclaren are closer to RBR than what you think. thats according to lewis and button

[CHT]

I'm hoping for rain, but not a washout. I miss having a full-on wet-rain.

the weather in the region is really hot and humid at the moment. its going to be extremely tough on both the cars and drivers. probably we are going to see some cars going up in smoke this weekend.

[Just_a_fan]

Whatever the weather, I expect to see the Red Bulls disappearing in to the distance. The high speed nature of most of the corners plays right in to their hands.

The only chance McLaren, Ferrari and Renault have is if they can go one less pit stop whilst being no more than 0.5-0.7s/lap slower than the RB7s. And even then it'd be pretty touch and go.

If Red Bull also bring their KERS then all bets are off...

you are wrong. mclaren are closer to RBR than what you think. thats according to lewis and button

For the sake of the quality of the race, at least, I hope you're/they're right. I suppose if the RBs do disappear leaving the others to fight for 3rd place we should still have a good race - provided the TV director doesn't just show the RBs trawling around on their own...

[WhiteBlue]

The odds are good for Vettel



I'll keep my fingers crossed that the race pans out according to the odds.