2013 Malaysian GP - Sepang

[munudeges]

Also I've heard that Kimi is not very me mechanically minded, or less so than other drivers. He just wants to get in the car and drive the balls off it.

That's a load of crap based on a lot of idiotic peoples' ideas of what he's like, without knowing him. Everyone at McLaren or Ferrari will tell you different.

[munudeges]

I can't see Raikkonen not completely dominating this race. To come straight out and have that one lap speed that Lotus never seems to have was very impressive.

[Mika1]

According to Gary Anderson Merc's tyre wear is looking good! Didn't think that after FP1!

[Vasconia]

Raikkonen is looking amazing, awesome tyre degradation and good long run pace(as expected). Even on qualy he could match RB´s pace, its clearly the favourite to win the race if rain doesnt bring some chaos.

But Ferrari is looking very good too, It would not be a great surprise if Alonso can win the race.

Rb is struggling with the tyres and Mercedes is out of the fight for the podium in normal conditions, 5-6 would be a great result for them, but who knows what can happen if it rains heavily.

[lewishamilton90]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/106235
Malaysian GP: Lewis Hamilton upbeat about Mercedes' race pace

[vall]

interesting! Looking at the FP1&2, Marussya in Bianchi's hands is up there with Whilliams and Toro Rosso. Is that for real?

[JimClarkFan]

Looks like the Red Bulls, the Ferrari and the Lotus are very close.

Really disappointed by Mclaren!

[CHT]

interesting! Looking at the FP1&2, Marussya in Bianchi's hands is up there with Whilliams and Toro Rosso. Is that for real?

Bianchi has been brilliant in the Marussia, I hope he will score a point or 2 this season.

[Tamburello]

Lotus could be the one to beat again, or should I say Kimi?

Romain doesn't look like he can get the same pace from the car.

Yes - I wonder what the issue is?

Last year, RG did not appear to have difficulty being around the pace of KR.

Romain doesn't have the full package with regards to the car, as confirmed by TD Allison. It's a shame that they can only have one car upgraded fully for this race.

[Shrieker]

Di Resta on hards 0.003 faster than Lewis on mediums. Can't be good news for Merc i suppose.

Not good news if they had the same fuel loads.. lets wait for tommorow

It was Ham's quali sim run... I'm assuming teams don't do their quali practice more than 1/4 or 1/3 tanks. That imho puts Di Resta and Ham's fuel loads in the same ballpark.

[Ral]

Lotus could be the one to beat again, or should I say Kimi?

Romain doesn't look like he can get the same pace from the car.

Yes - I wonder what the issue is?

Last year, RG did not appear to have difficulty being around the pace of KR.

Romain doesn't have the full package with regards to the car, as confirmed by TD Allison. It's a shame that they can only have one car upgraded fully for this race.

Although if I read between the lines correctly they simply don't have another one to put on Grosjean's car for now, if it's true that he is having balance issues it might be better not to introduce another variable anyway until that's resolved?

Of course, if the balance issue does exist purely between Grosjean's ears, then not having the new package will only exacerbate it.

[morefirejules08]

Possibly Mercedes are concentrating on long run speed rather than single lap pace. Maybe they will sacrifice qualification positions in the hope that they can move through the pack in the race with better tyre wear and strategy.
Personally I think this would make sense after seeing what happened last weekend

[Mika1]

Hamilton didn't do a quali lap in FP2, he just confirmed.

[Shrieker]

Hamilton didn't do a quali lap in FP2, he just confirmed.

Well I've been wrong before lol. Hope he speaks the truth, that would be most welcome news then.

[Mika1]

He wanted to do one, but then it started to rain.