2007-04-08 3pm F1 #2 Malaysian GP @ Sepang Int. Circuit in Kuala Lumpur

Digital-Nitrate

Digital-Nitrate

1955-2011 R.I.P.
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D-Nitrate / GTP_DNitrate
I was looking for the Malaysian GP thread to see who might be attending, and noticed there wasn't a thread started yet for the upcoming race... so I guess I'll start it.


So it turns out I may have to be in Singapore the week following this race and so I'm now considering flying out early and taking a puddle jumper to Kuala Lumpur for the race. Just in case, I went ahead and reserved a room at the Pan Pacific.

BTW: I was hoping to catch a ride on a new A380 from the States, but production delays have put the kibosh on that plan, and now it even looks like Singapore Airlines may be canceling all their A380 orders. :(

If other GTP members are planning on attending, maybe we can all meat before or after the race?


Beyond that:
  • What are you all expecting from the drivers in this race?
  • Will Hamilton have a sophomore slump?
  • Or did his success down under give him even more confidence, enough to finish ahead of Alonso?
  • How about Masa? He must be anxious to prove to everyone he can challenge Kimi for the lead role at Ferrari. Personally, I hope he does... as I don't think I can stay awake for another post race interview with Kimi. ;)
  • Will Nick Heidfeld find a place on the podium?
  • Will a Toyota or a Honda finish in the top 5?
  • Will Renault drop out of the top 5?
  • Will Kubica make it to the end?
  • Are Scott Speed's days numbered in F1?
 
I must say that last years GP was a really good one. The circuit has a good layout:tup:. I wonder who will benefit most of the 6 days of testing in Sepang.
 
* What are you all expecting from the drivers in this race?

For them to loose a hell of alot of body weight in sweat through the race..

* Will Hamilton have a sophomore slump?

I don't think he will, Sepang is quite like Melbourne, the heat will probably be more of a challenge than the circuit.


* Or did his success down under give him even more confidence, enough to finish ahead of Alonso?

It's possible I suppose but I think he'll finish just behind him, podium should be on the cards though if a Ferrari slips up once again.


* How about Masa? He must be anxious to prove to everyone he can challenge Kimi for the lead role at Ferrari. Personally, I hope he does... as I don't think I can stay awake for another post race interview with Kimi.

Haha! Yep same, I said in another thread that I release more Charisma in a toilet brake than what Kimi has, lets have a bit of Brazilian flare next time!


*Will Nick Heidfeld find a place on the podium?

Probably not, the BMW is certainly leading the mid pack but it will need soem help from the McLarens or Ferrari if it's to score a podium early on.

* Will a Toyota or a Honda finish in the top 5?

I woudln't expect a Honda there untill the second half of the season, atleast. They are in alot of trouble. Toyota could make it by say, Monaco if they have a bit of luck with the front runners.

* Will Renault drop out of the top 5?

They certainly wernt inspiring at Monaco and if Massa didn't have the quali problem, they would have been out of the Top 5. I'd expect Top 10, but points may be tough.

* Will Kubica make it to the end?

Hopefully so because he had the measure of Heidfeld at Melbourne, let's just hope the car holds together this time.

* Are Scott Speed's days numbered in F1?

Well the DNF at Melbourne wasn't his fault, he's pretty close on pace to Liuzzi so I will be intrested to see how they both do against eachother as the season goes on.

Oh and no, I'm not gonna be at the race. :lol:
 
Sepang...

Fast circuit, the engines might struggle, tyres will be fun too. Driver endurance will be very hard too.

Two gigantic straights, a very interesting first complex of corners. The Honda's will struggle, the BMWs could be a surprise package with their good top speed. Got Ferrari written all over it again though.
 
I find it interesting that Sepang, a very engine-intense course, is the second race everyone will be running on these engines. I also think this might lead to a closer race because both Ferrari and Mercedes said they were holding back on the engines in Melbourne.
 
appie17
I must say that last years GP was a really good one. The circuit has a good layout:tup:
Click to expand...
I also think it is the most interesting looking of all F1 circuits when photographed from above:

Carl.
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For additional satellite images of circuits, click HERE.


BTW: Still waiting on recent satellite images of Dubai's amazing Autodrome, but you can at least see the course layout when it was under construction in the early phase of the project. Here is a link to see it using Google maps. If you use Google Earth, the coordinates are:
25° 3'1.00"N
55°14'16.00"E.
 
Wow, a GP thread almost two weeks before the race. That has to be a record? :lol: Kinda justified because of the testing, but I’ll leave my analysis for another week or so.
 
What are you all expecting from the drivers in this race?
Largely the same as Albert Park, though I would love to see Honda doing better. They've promised a new aero kit, so maybe I won't be disappointed again.

Will Hamilton have a sophomore slump, or did his success down under give him even more confidence, enough to finish ahead of Alonso?
Hard to say. He is, after all, still learning the circuits, but this week's test should give him ample time. There will be pressure on him to prove he's not a one-race wonder, though.

How about Massa?
I think Massa has what it takes. Our round was dominated by his team-mate, but the Brazilian went from last place on the grid to a points position.

Will Nick Heidfeld find a place on the podium?
If not in Malaysia, then soon. Sauber are long overdue for a win since they're in their fourteenth season.

Will a Toyota or a Honda finish in the top 5?
If Honda deliver on their aero package, then it's a possibilty. JB scored more points than anyone in the final six races of last year, so I think it's his machinery that's letting him down. He's finally starting to be the driver he was made out to be when he started seven years ago.

Will Renault drop out of the top 5?
I've never been a Fisichella fan, and I can't really speak for Kovalainen. I thikn the Finn was trying a little too hard in Melbourne, hence his four off-track excursions. The R27 needs to have its mechanical issues sorted out if they want to keep their status as a Top Three team.

Will Kubica make it to the end?
I don't see why not. Sure, he's still learning the circuits, much like Hamilton, and if I remember rightly, his DNF in Australia was in no way his fault.

Are Scott Speed's days numbered in F1?
Possibly, but t's too early to say. Tonio Liuzzi will be the man he is compared to, and his DNF last race was the result of a puncture. But this is his make-or-break year.
 
What are you all expecting from the drivers in this race?

I'm hoping for an a-la-Australia weekend although it wasn't too exiting...I definitly hope to see some battles, wether it Toyota, Ferrari or RBR is. Battles always make a GP better 👍

Will Hamilton have a sophomore slump?

I don't think his last race was lucky, nor was it pure planned. He's still a rookie but he's got the car, team and teammare to deliver what's been expected from him. I'm pretty sure he'll finish in the top 8, if the speed is with him, he may be looking forward to a top 5 finish.

Or did his success down under give him even more confidence, enough to finish ahead of Alonso?

I don't think so, Alonso is far more experienced then Hamilton and proved this in the last race. Though Lewis was a little bit faster, Alonso grabbed his chance and used his experience to pass him. He will finish ahead of Lewis, unless bad luck strikes him.

How about Massa? He must be anxious to prove to everyone he can challenge Kimi for the lead role at Ferrari. Personally, I hope he does... as I don't think I can stay awake for another post race interview with Kimi. ;)

I'm pretty sure he will at least be battling for the victory. According to Ferrari, Kimi will have to watch what he's doing to his engine as he had a water leak in the engine last weekend. Replacing the engine would mean 10 places back but Kimi will race with the same engine unless it fails on him before the race. The damage he has now leads that the engine is getten overheated quicker so he really will be holding back but only time will tell, it's another 2 weeks before the actual GP.

Will Nick Heidfeld find a place on the podium?

No. Unless a Ferrari, Mclaren or Renault have bad luck, no. Renault had a bit bad luck last weekend and I expect them to do better so BMW will be battling Renault rather then battling Ferrari or Mclaren but I surely hope and quite sure that both drivers will score points. BMW definitly has the potential to get on the podium if Ferrari or Mclaren have bad luck.

Will a Toyota or a Honda finish in the top 5?

No. I'm pretty sure Honda won't even be able to score a single point and if they have the chance, it's Barrichello who'll have that chance. The current Honda is nothing suited for Button as appeared after the last race.

Will Renault drop out of the top 5?

They will be in the top 5 if none of the drivers make mistakes. Fisi will be up there but Heikki is still a rookie and will be having a hard time getting in the top 6 I think.

Will Kubica make it to the end?

Yes, I'm pretty sure. BMW prooved their reliability last weekend although Kubica had a problem which he was not responsible for. He's a very fast driver as he showed us last year. I expect big things from him, he and Nick make a great team and BMW is undoubtly the revelation of the season.

Are Scott Speed's days numbered in F1?

Not Speed, if Albers makes another dumb mistake, it'll be he who needs to watch out...
 
Ultrashot
Though Lewis was a little bit faster, Alonso grabbed his chance and used his experience to pass him.
Click to expand...

At what point was Lewis really faster than Alonso? I must have missed the part where Alonso was struggling to stay on Lewis’s gearbox. But maybe you missed the part where Alonso drove away from Lewis and finished over 10 seconds ahead.

Sure, Lewis is quick, and he’s going to be sensational. But he is not as quick as Alonso over a race distance. Not yet.
 
1st day of testing

1. Poolse R. Kubica BMW Sauber B 1'36''187 92
2. Finse K. Räikkönen Ferrari B 1'36''302 0'00''115 54
3. Oostenrijkse A. Wurz Williams B 1'36''334 0'00''147 89
4. Braziliaanse R. Barrichello Honda B 1'36''826 0'00''639 82
5. Spaanse P. de la Rosa McLaren B 1'37''106 0'00''919 60
6. Franse F. Montagny Toyota B 1'37''267 0'01''080 73
7. Japanse T. Sato Super Aguri B 1'37''389 0'01''202 72
8. Britse D. Coulthard Red Bull Racing B 1'37''609 0'01''422 82
9. Braziliaanse N. Piquet Renault B 1'38''199 0'02''012 32
10. Amerikaanse S. Speed Toro Rosso B 1'38''509 0'02''322 69
 
Blake
At what point was Lewis really faster than Alonso? I must have missed the part where Alonso was struggling to stay on Lewis’s gearbox. But maybe you missed the part where Alonso drove away from Lewis and finished over 10 seconds ahead.

Sure, Lewis is quick, and he’s going to be sensational. But he is not as quick as Alonso over a race distance. Not yet.
Click to expand...

He was faster but only that little bit or maybe Fernando was holding back but I don't think so...Well, at least he seemed faster before he made his first pitstop, that's the point where Alonse overtook him and drove away.
 
Ultrashot
He was faster but only that little bit or maybe Fernando was holding back but I don't think so...Well, at least he seemed faster before he made his first pitstop, that's the point where Alonse overtook him and drove away.
Click to expand...

2nd Pitstop.

Ontopic: I hope Blake makes another thread when the time comes cause this will be full of unrelated stuff soon.
 
Stupid question: aren't they in danger of being removed through tyre wear? The rubber probably won't get worn down enough, though.

I think it looks a little silly, but meh.
 
Ferrari: My question is, will they have to rely on Massa more then Raikkonen? There are a few concerns about Kimi's engine ahead of this GP and there were some concerns of some gremlins creeping in to the Ferrari at the end of the Australian GP after his car had lost some water.
 
If I were them (and not knowing the full extent of the problem) I’d take the engine change on Saturday and thus start Kimi from P11. He’ll still make a solid points finish, possibly a podium. The Ferrari should be mega fast through the quick turns in Malaysia, and with Kimi behind the wheel he shouldn’t have much difficultly slicing through the field.
 
I could probably see them doing that if it proves a big problem come the weekend, I guess it's the advantage of the penalty really...he may not start from the top 10 but he can fill his car however he wants and possibly still have a chance of a win.
 
Deadliest first corner in F1? Don't know how to describe that corner, a snail like curve isn't it that doubles back on itself halfway through.
 
Stewards confiscate Toro Rosso parts

Stewards of the Malaysian Grand Prix have confiscated parts of the Toro Rosso car following Spyker's protest that the car is illegal, Speed TV reports. Spyker made a protest against the team for supposedly using parts that were designed by Red Bull Racing.

Toro Rosso's technical director Giorgio Ascanelli, who has just been signed by the team, was seen handing over car parts to track officials in the Sepang paddock.

It would seem that Spyker's continued protest against Super Aguri and Toro Rosso over the customer car debate is having the desired effect as official action seems to have started. However, it is unlikely that any kind of ruling will be made in Malaysia
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How bout those bridgestones? The white stripe looks SO weird on the tires, but it works incredibly well.

I keep noticing how Kimi is missing his apex on some turns. Hopefully he'll sort that out for qualifying. Does anyone know what's up with the rear wheels of the Ferrari during testing and stuff? Why is it like a flat plate as opposed to the front wheels? I notice that they don't use them on race day.
 
Omnis
How bout those bridgestones? The white stripe looks SO weird on the tires, but it works incredibly well.

I keep noticing how Kimi is missing his apex on some turns. Hopefully he'll sort that out for qualifying. Does anyone know what's up with the rear wheels of the Ferrari during testing and stuff? Why is it like a flat plate as opposed to the front wheels? I notice that they don't use them on race day.
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They had that last year too, There called rim shields.

Ferrari 248 F1- rim shields

Ferrari first introduced these at Imola, to help extract the heat generated by the rear brakes. The lip of the shield separates the hot airflow from the rim walls, helping to stabilise tyre pressure by limiting the effect of the brake heat. In Turkey the concept is pushed further, with a wider lip section reducing the size of the central air vent. This improves air extraction still further by decreasing turbulence generated by airflow close to the wheel. It also slightly improves aerodynamic efficiency in this area.
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Friday Practice 1

Friday Practice 2

No engine change for Raikkonen
 
appie17
Stewards confiscate Toro Rosso parts
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Toro Rosso get their own back

'Scuderia Toro Rosso confirms that this press release paper was designed on the same computer as the Red Bull Racing press release paper,' the team said in their Friday press release.

'Having flown out a ten strong legal team from Austria, the UK and Italy late last night, we can confirm that our paper complies fully with all regulations regarding media headed paper and the industry standard British Universal Length Layer Size Height Interface Template (B.U.L.L.S.H.I.T.).'
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:lol:

http://www.planet-f1.com/story/0,18954,3213_2041921,00.html
 
That is correct, they didn't appear to have it on both compound tyres (the closed wheel thing). I've seen it three times over so I know they didn't have them on both, I still think they should remove them...typical Ferrari...doing things their own way like they own the sport. Open wheel sport should not contain closed wheels...don't care if they "help with braking" or not.
 

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