Malaysian GP 2005 - Predictions

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sirlosealot

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The Malaysian GP takes place this upcoming weekend. Discuss amongst yourselves. Predict first three finishers. Say why.

As someone else on another site said: 'fortunately the Australian GP raised more questions than it answered'. Are Red Bull for real? Will BAR switch engines? and will that help? Can Fisichella win a race when it doesn't rain? Will Toyota ever get on the podium? Is Ferrari sand-bagging?

Maybe, Yes, No, Not This Time, No, Would they ever?

After my dismal failure at forcasting the Australian Grand Prix (see here ), I predict a 'return to form' for Ferrari.

1st Michael Schumacher
2nd Rubens Barrichello
3rd Fernando Alonso

With the weather more predictable, Jean Todt will be able to stage manage the race as usual. Renaults nice handling chassis keeps the load off the tires. No form yet for Williams or McLaren. BARs new engines blow up.

Mike
 
1st Kimi Raikkonen (the new MCLaren is still good and the tires will work fine in Malaysia)
2nd Nick Heidfeld (has shown how fast he can be and with new aerodynamics he'll drive a good race)
3rd Giancarlo Fisichella (Michelin and Renault power - he'll preserve his performance)
 
I hope qualifying doesn't get rained on this time so we can see the cars real paces. AU was a fluke. The right team won but the rest of the grid was a mess. IF Malaysia stays dry then we will finally see who really is where.

That being said I expect it to be a dog fight between McLaren and Renault, anyone of those 4 drivers could take it.

I expect Ferrari to be up there too.

I'm curious to see if Red Bull really has that pace and if Toyota can make some progress.
 
I'm predicting a Renault 1-2 finish, with Alonso leading Fisichella. Their car is damned fast, they are two of the fastest drivers in F1 currently, and Ferrari is still 'handicapped' with their modded 2004 car. That said, I'm predicting Schumacher will take the 3rd spot on the podium, since he's likely not going to be slowed down in qualifying again. Even if it is their 2004 car, Ferrari is still arguably the fastest car in F1. But even so, I still think the new Renault will prove to be too much for even the likes of Schumi.

It wouldn't surprise me to see Button and/or Sato get a strong race, since they have a lot to prove after the immense dissapointment for BAR that was Australia. Hopefully their cars are fast enough to be competitive.
 
Ev0
It wouldn't surprise me to see Button and/or Sato get a strong race, since they have a lot to prove after the immense dissapointment for BAR that was Australia. Hopefully their cars are fast enough to be competitive.
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Button maybe, though I doubt it.

Sato, not this season. The one set of tires will hurt him (and Massa) more than anyone else on the grid (accept for maybe Alonso). Massa and Sato I don't think can turn it off to save their tires and Alonso's deep turn in should eat his fronts.

Don't expect much from BAR this season. They made a huge jump last season but most of it was at the expense of the other teams failures. They will be mid pack with sauber and red bull, maybe challenge Williams. But not much else.
 
I wouldn't count BAR out yet. Keep in mind they are awaiting new engines, which once delivered will make them the fastest straight line cars in F1 (unless their aerodynamics are complete crap).
 
Ev0
I wouldn't count BAR out yet. Keep in mind they are awaiting new engines, which once delivered will make them the fastest straight line cars in F1 (unless their aerodynamics are complete crap).
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F1 isn't drag racing (thank god). Williams proved that having the most powerful engine on the grid means nothing.

My issue isn't with Honda or Sato. I like both. I don't think much of Jenson and I honestly get the feeling that the BAR team is just hanging around waiting for Honda to finish buying them out.

I will admit the car looks dead sexy this year. Then again so did the McLaren last year. I just don't see BAR doing that well this season. The rules don't suit Sato. I don't think jens has the drive he did and I don't think the car is THAT good....
 
1. Kimi
2. Fisi
3. Alonso/Michael

The McLaren has alot of pace but some pretty bad luck last weekend. I say Kimi to be up top because JPM seems to have horrible consistancy on that one set of tires, maybe he'll have control of it but I doubt it.

Fisi, his engine wasn't pushed too hard at Australia he was pretty much able to go fast without pushing and he had little pressure throughout the race. He'll be able to push a bit this weekend but I think if kimi gets up front quickly he'll have the race in the bag.

For 3rd I'm not surw which one to bet on, Michael will be using his Australian engine which has less km's than Alonso's and he looks in good form despite his apparant handicap. Alonso did well in Australia but is there the possibilty of an engine failure if he pushes too hard throuhgout the weekend?

Blake
 
I follow the F1 quite a fair bit and am usually good at predicting whereabouts a driver will finish. Having a new engine shumi should definately have a podium. Umm I was thinking you guys were going to do the top 8 point scoring positions.

1. M. Schumacher (Engine change will help but what about Bridgestone tires)
2. Kimi Raikkonen
3. Nick Heidfield (It's possible he also has a new engine in his car)

4. Fernando Alonso (I know I shouldn't do a 4th pick but being a fast starter and having a quick car is definately going to do well here)

I also think the BARs will be in the points somewhere. I am more eager about Red Bull to see where they are casted in the field.

If I remember Malaysia has hard strong turns at the start so I am expecting some fireworks at the start too :)

Best of luck with your predictions people :)
 
Michael, as far as I've heard, won't be changing his engine, he will keep the low KM one front Australia, that's only done like 100-200 km's, that way he can have a fresh engine for Bahrain.

Blake
 
Blake
Michael, as far as I've heard, won't be changing his engine, he will keep the low KM one front Australia, that's only done like 100-200 km's, that way he can have a fresh engine for Bahrain.

Blake
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Isn't it because of the F2005? Because the motor wouldn't fit into the F2004M. Would they change the engine now the F2005 couldn't be realeased in Bahrain.
 
Ev0
I wouldn't count BAR out yet. Keep in mind they are awaiting new engines, which once delivered will make them the fastest straight line cars in F1 (unless their aerodynamics are complete crap).
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I think we've all raced enough GT1-4 to know that the most powerful car doesn't always win or even do well. And my money is still on at least one Honda dis-assembling itself over the weekend.
 
gt4005
Isn't it because of the F2005? Because the motor wouldn't fit into the F2004M. Would they change the engine now the F2005 couldn't be realeased in Bahrain.
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No, the new engine fits into the F2004M fine, I think you may be thinking of Minardi who are using last years Cosworth because the new one (that Red Bull have) won't fit into there old chassis.

Michael is just using his old engine so he doesn't have to use one for both REALLY hot races, Malaysia and Bahrain, since he did so few km's on that engine in Aus (it was fresh for qualifying 2 and he didn't finish the race) it would be in his benefit to use the old engine.

Blake
 
Hi Blake.

I've read that the old engine won't fit into the new chassis. So If they were chaniging the motor now they couldn't drive the F2005 because the engine won't fit and they'd have to wait 2 GP's because of the reglement.

Sorry I was wrong.
 
Dont count BAR out. Theyve just had a good test with new aero parts which should be quicker and the engines still good. I think itll be alot different to Melbourne coz of the rain. So many people were out of position and Melbourne's such a odd track it wont be untill say Imola when we can truely see where everyone is.

I rekon Renault, McLaren, BAR, Ferrari and Red Bull will be fighting for the win and maybe in that order at the end. I just hope we dont exchange one runaway team (ferrari) with another (renault).
 
I'm sorry I have to disagree, I'm very inclined to count BAR out, the showed little pace in Melbourne, nor in the off-season, I really don't see them taking any leaps and bounds like last year, more likely is that they'll sit back where they were in 2003. I just don't see them doing well this season, at least not for a while...despite this, it's a long season and you really can't count a team down and out for the entire season straight away, but I don't saee any big changed untill a good 10 races in.

Blake
 
Blake
No, the new engine fits into the F2004M fine, I think you may be thinking of Minardi who are using last years Cosworth because the new one (that Red Bull have) won't fit into there old chassis.

Michael is just using his old engine so he doesn't have to use one for both REALLY hot races, Malaysia and Bahrain, since he did so few km's on that engine in Aus (it was fresh for qualifying 2 and he didn't finish the race) it would be in his benefit to use the old engine.

Blake
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From what I heard the new engine cannot bolt up, but the reason he stayed with it is what you say it is from what the team says.
 
1st: Raikkonen K.
2nd: Montoya J.
3rd: Alonso F.
4th: Schumacher M.
5th: Barrichello R.
6th: Webber M.
PolePos: Montoya J.
FastLap: Schumacher M.
 

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