Malaysia - Sepang

[schumi]

Kazuki Nakajima goes into Malaysia knowing he already has a 10 place grid penalty for causing an accident with Robert Kubica in Australia. The main worry, however, has to be for Ferrari and Toro Rosso. Both teams suffered problems with engines during the Australian GP, and both use Ferrari engines. Stefano Domenicali has admitted his reliability worries, and with Jean Todt stepping down as CEO, and Toro Rosso up for sale, both teams will be hoping for some stability. The good news is that the Ferrari engine, when working, is on the pace - the bad news is that Sepang is a tough track with difficult driving conditions.

Last year's Malaysian Grand Prix was won by Fernando Alonso, although it's unlikely we'll see a repeat of that this year. The McLarens finished 1-2 in 2007, but statistically Ferrari have the better record, although I'd still think Lewis should be able to pick up where he left off in Australia. Also in the mix should be the visibly improved BMW, although it shouldn't come as much of a shock, as this car was already showing great potential twelve months ago. So the fight for the top six positions should be contested between McLaren, BMW and Ferrari, with perhaps the Williams there or thereabouts. Pole position will be sought after, with perhaps drivers making an earlier stop in the race from not having on board so much fuel, as more than half of the wins here have come from the driver who started in that prime position on the grid. Interestingly, McLaren have never started this race in pole.

Qualifying starts at 6am on Saturday morning, with the race being run at 7am on Easter Sunday. Both sessions are being shown live on ITV.

[Deleted]

Sepang - exciting track?

And any repeats of the coverage?

[Genghis]

Won't King Kimi have to take a grid penalty? He was classified as the eighth-placed finisher in Australia, and that engine didn't sound too healthy.

Or will Ferrari manage to circumvent the rules once more.

[schumi]

Harry - repeats should be on at the normal time (around 2pm) but, having seen the repeat of Australia, they're heavily edited. For example, they didn't show the Coulthard rant. The track is hard on cars, so there'll probably be some retirements, but if you're interested it's worth a watch.

Genghis - no penalty as, although Kimi was classified, he still retired before the end of the race. But you'd know that if you'd read my race report. Plus, they have one "get out of jail free" card to play - that's all teams, not just Ferrari, before you say anything!

[admin]

Doesn't really matter - the Italians are taking over at Ferrari again and that's a disaster for the "prancing horse". They only started getting success recently when they brought Mr Toad, Schumacher and Braun on board.
The "Italianisation" of Ferrari means that even with the help of the son of a fascist they could be a troubled ship.

[Genghis]

schumi said:

Genghis - no penalty as, although Kimi was classified, he still retired before the end of the race. But you'd know that if you'd read my race report. Plus, they have one "get out of jail free" card to play - that's all teams, not just Ferrari, before you say anything!

Schumi - how can a driver be classified as BOTH as a finisher to pick up World Championship points AND be classified as a non-finisher so they don't pick up an engine penalty, at the same time? And they wouldn't be, unless the car happens to be a nice shade of Ferrari red.

As for "get out of jail free" cards:

(a) Is this a supposedly serious sport or a game of fucking Monopoly
(b) Don't Ferrari normally get gifted about 20 "get out of jail free" cards during a typical season anyway?

[schumi]

Bourdais and Nakajima didn't finish the race either, and they both scored points.

Have you read the rules on gearbox changes yet? You'll love those.

[Genghis]

schumi said:

Bourdais and Nakajima didn't finish the race either, and they both scored points.

Have you read the rules on gearbox changes yet? You'll love those.

Let me guess, is it something along the lines of:
1. If you're Ferarri you can change the gearbox with no penalty
2. If you're McLaren you have to use the broken gearbox for the rest of the season or face exclusion from the constructors championship?

Am I right?

[thetiger2799]

Like Schumi I will always support the Ferraris I do not know why, but since I was a kid I just loved the "Big fast red cars" and have always supported them........

When "The King" left the team 2 seasons ago, I thought F1 wouldn't be the same for me, but last season was truely emmence........not only with Lewis but with Kimi stealing the title in the last race.........Deffo got my enthusiam back for the sport........

I actually fell asleep at around half 2 last sunday but this Sunday I will tapin the event and trying as best as possible to stay away from the result.........

.....Now can you imagine a more perfect weekend.........

Livingston beat Morton on Saturday
Glasgow Destroy Edinburgh on Sunday
and a Ferrari 1 and 2 on Sunday tooo

Now that would be sweet.........

ps I dont think that has anything to do with this thread but I am steaming so Im just writing anything anywhere Sorry in advance for any crap I post tonight lol

[schumi]

Quali result:

1..F Massa
2..K Raikkonen
3..H Kovalainen
4..L Hamilton
5..J Trulli
6..R Kubica
7..N Heidfeld
8..M Webber

Both "number two" drivers beating their team mates, with Alonso down in 9th place. Piquet had a much better qualifying session than he did in Australia, ending up 13th, but having put in the fastest first sector times of all the drivers at some point over the weekend due to his vast experience of driving the track. Good to see Ferrari back on top, where they belong, but it's looking like they went all out to get pole and will likely be low on fuel for the race.

[Genghis]

schumi said:

Quali result:

1..F Massa
2..K Raikkonen
3..H Kovalainen
4..L Hamilton
5..J Trulli
6..R Kubica
7..N Heidfeld
8..M Webber

Both "number two" drivers beating their team mates, with Alonso down in 9th place. Piquet had a much better qualifying session than he did in Australia, ending up 13th, but having put in the fastest first sector times of all the drivers at some point over the weekend due to his vast experience of driving the track. Good to see Ferrari back on top, where they belong, but it's looking like they went all out to get pole and will likely be low on fuel for the race.

Schumi,

There is no such thing as a No. 1 and No. 2 driver at McLaren - their drivers are allowed to race.

If Ferrari had the same policy, then Eddie Irvine would have been the 1999 World Champion - as he had to give precious points to Schumacher in two races because Michael couldn't beat his so-called lesser team-mate fair and square, and then after Schumacher's broken leg, it was Irvine who took over the championship challenge.

Then again had Alonso been the No. 1 driver at McLaren last year and Hamilton had to finish behind him, then Alonso probably would have been World Champion again. But I'm glad he didn't - it was good for the integrity of Formula 1 after years of Ferrari "fixes", when Barichello had to virtually stop coming off the final bend to let Schumacher through, again because Michael was unable to beat a so-called lesser team-mate fair and square.

[schumi]

I was going on last year's standings, genghis. That makes Massa number two to Kimi, and Heikki number two to Lewis.

I see Heidfeld and Alonso have complained to the stewards they were held up by drivers who were fuel saving to such an extent the live timings "timed out." Not sure which drivers were said to have held them up as I was asleep, but I think it's likely a penalty will be imposed.

[Genghis]

schumi said:

I was going on last year's standings, genghis. That makes Massa number two to Kimi, and Heikki number two to Lewis.

I see Heidfeld and Alonso have complained to the stewards they were held up by drivers who were fuel saving to such an extent the live timings "timed out." Not sure which drivers were said to have held them up as I was asleep, but I think it's likely a penalty will be imposed.

Heikki will be given a fair crack of whip at McLaren, Schumi, if he's quick enough. Both Senna (with Prost) and Hamilton (with Alonso) were allowed to challenge the established No.1 within the team. In fact, in both cases, the established No. 1 then legged it with his tail between his legs, because the new challengers proved to be better drivers.

What time does the race start tomorrow?

[schumi]

I know all that, which is why I put "number two" in inverted commas. My point being, the better driver, according to the standings, was beaten by his team mate in both cases today.

Race starts at 7am.

[Genghis]

schumi said:

Race starts at 7am.

Ah, a more sensible time. I'll be up for that one.