2012 Malaysian Grand Prix

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Blaze_409
I have a question about Ferrari's problems. They say the car is lacking in downforce. Why are they so slow in a straightline though? Is it draggy? News of a new model being made. Oh Ferrari...
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Teams aren't looking for downforce specifically, instead aerodynamic efficiency. Which is what they lack and so Ferrari are compensating, sacrificing straight line speed for cornering speed. Any team can jack-up the angle of their wings to increase downforce, but only at the cost of drag. The better cars can create downforce with relatively minimal drag (hence greater efficiency), achieving the best of both worlds for faster lap times.
 
ZEROX
You think they care about that?
All that matter to them is..results.(*insert Lelouch's voice*)
It's harsh but true.
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I get the feeling that they'll tell Massa to crash into 5 of the cars at the beginning so that Alonso can get a good finish.
 
gorsad
I get the feeling that they'll tell Massa to crash into 5 of the cars at the beginning so that Alonso can get a good finish.
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That all hinges on Massa ever getting past Alonso to take out the guys in front of him. Burn.

That said, Alonso is in serious doubt of points tomorrow if the cars behind him start well. It's like 1991 all over again for Ferrari.
 
Well done to Lewis for getting pole 👍. It will be interesting to see if either Mercedes or Lotus can match / beat or come close to McLaren and Red Bulls race pace.
 
Can't help but be excited about Schumacher being on form, I think its going to be a really exciting race, hopefully Mercedes can keep it up in the race!
 
Aaah, great seeing the McLarens locking the front row again. Great performance yet again by Schumacher getting his Mercedes into 3rd. There was a light rain right before FP3 but stopped as the FP3 started. Until then, it was all bone dry.

Another great day, second day pictures will be posted soon!
 
Does anyone have any idea where the pole position is going to be this year? It seems to be the most inconsistent pole position of the entire calendar as it switches from left to right randomly each year.
It seems most of the time anyone starting from the right-hand side especially if its the pole-sitter, gets a poor start. However, if the pole is on the left-hand side, the 4th place man usually gets a great start.
 
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Pole position is typically on the racing line. Hence the even numbered slots being on the 'dirty', not racing line, side of the track.

But as with Senna/Prost in 1990 it's not always as straight forward as that.
 
MazdaPrice
I still think Schumacher can cause havoc if he makes a good start. Even if it's just holding up the Red Bulls and maybe one McLaren for a short spell, it could be enough to decide the pit stops.
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If Schumi gets a good start and can do anything about a podium, there's no doubt he will not play nice with the front runners. I expect some classic Schumi competitiveness like we saw between him and Hamilton last year. 👍
 
I'm still counting on Redbull race pace to take a podium away from the mercedes. But if it rains, it's anyone's day.
 
what a shame ferrari -_- ended the era of the best italian cars! -_-! 👎

I cheer the lotus! 👍
 
Only found out the race was this weekend, nice job Lewis! Was hoping Schumacher would get it though.:indiff:
 
I have to ask.

Ive heard Renault and Mercedes and using a system that cuts engine cylinders out ,
now to my thinking this lessens airflow over the bodywork so how does this improve the
aero especialy under breaking?
has anyone grasped this concept.
 
Some pictures from Saturday sessions including some GP2s. Sorry for the terrible quality of some pictures!

So, since there was a light rain right before FP3, I'm guessing for Sunday it might get worse. The weather forecast doesn't look all that sunny.
 
Bigbazz
Can't help but be excited about Schumacher being on form....
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It's been discussed that the Mercedes cars' F-duct things seem to help them more in practice and qualifying but not much in the race, meaning they end up faster on Friday and Saturday than what they actually end up running on Sunday. So far there's just the race last weekend to go on, and Schumacher only made it a handful of laps, which just leaves Rosberg and he dropped several positions from where he qualified and finished just twelfth. So, as of this moment I don't expect Schumacher to keep third place, but rather to fall back some spots.
 
Awesome seeing Kimi keep the Lotus Renault in check. I'm really impressed with his come back so far.
 
MazdaPrice
Pole position is typically on the racing line. Hence the even numbered slots being on the 'dirty', not racing line, side of the track.

But as with Senna/Prost in 1990 it's not always as straight forward as that.
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I don't believe the racing line changes randomly each year.
 
They change pole position randomly each year but I don't see how its anything to do with the racing line? The racing line is identical each year as there have been minimal changes to the track layout?

And it still doesn't answer my question - which side is it on this year?
 
^9am UK time (GMT+1 corrected). I think Sky coverage starts at 7.30am.

I think the pole is going to be on the right-hand side of the track judging by the GP2 race - which might mean Hamilton is going to get a poor start once again.
 
Ardius
^9am UK time (GMT+1 corrected). I think Sky coverage starts at 7.30am.
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Thanks. :) That's really annoying, because I've got to go out at 9.30. I was hoping for an 8.00 start, damn clocks going forward! :irked:
 
So this is another highlight show on the BBC instead of a live race?

:(

I hope it has to be called off for rain around an hour in, that way the highlights don't need to be cut down :D
 

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