The Official Not606 Petronas Malaysian GP Chat & Predictions

We were treated to a great race last weekend and as we are one race down im sure we have caught the F1 bug again and crave the second race this weekend in sepang.

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Local Interest:
Caterham, Mercedes

Malaysia has hosted a Grand prix since 1999 at the sepang circuit and has been largely acclaimed as one of Herman Tilkes best tracks. The demanding 15-turn, 5.543km track features a pair of parallel straights which will interesting overtaking sections with the use of DRS along with challenges of driving in high humidity and unpredictable weather situations will always make this race great to watch.

Former winners of this race include:
Kimi Raikkonen (2 wins). Michael Schumacher (3 wins), Fernando Alonso (2 wins), Jenson Button (1 win) and Sebastian Vettel (2 wins)

The Lap Record:
1:34.223 by JP Montoya (2004).

Last Years Pole Time:
1:34.870 by S Vettel

Last years Fastest Lap:
1:40.571 by M Webber

*** Streams: ***

• Firstrow Sports
• VIPBox

Prediction Results:

[TABLE="class: grid, width: 500"]
[TR]
[TD]Not606'er
[/TD]
[TD]Points
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]genjigonzales
[/TD]
[TD]1Pts
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Julius Caesar
[/TD]
[TD]1Pts
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Mifune
[/TD]
[TD]1Pts
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Paco Montoya
[/TD]
[TD]1Pts
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Samurai
[/TD]
[TD]1Pts
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Sportydan
[/TD]
[TD]1Pts
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]The Ninja Kirby
[/TD]
[TD]1Pts
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

Wheres the poll?

 

Right - a slower circuit - slower corners?
So what happens to tyre degradation? Who loses out here?

 

give me a chance lol! its up now

 

now thats what I call being keen !!

we just can't get the staff you know!

 

Ive voted Hamilton again as I see a backlash. Also its a race he has never won.

 

Yes, I've gone for Lewis too. Although he has never won, he does have a history of fighting right back following a disappointing result.

 

Let it rain let it rain!

I can see a dominant McLaren 1-2 if it rains... I would think Lewis on top, but Jenson's been growing on me so much recently...

 

Has he? Usually a bad result by Hamilton is followed by another.


I really do not have an idea who will win this race but I have gone for Button because the Mclaren will be quick and he has the momentum.

 

thanks!

 

I have gone for JB, but fancy either of the Mclarens. The highspeed corners and fast straights should play to their strengths (I think?) and if dry I would expect JB's tyre management to just pip Lewis. If its wet it could just be a lottery, I was there in 2009 and it was terrible.

All ifs and buts I know, but I think the MClaren will have the edge for the nect few races and then RB will come back into it - not that they are that far behind anyway! I would prefer JB to win, but wouldn't rule out Lewis - it just depends which one turns up at the weekend.

 

The Pirelli View for the upcoming race:

 

Wet or dry, a circuit like this must point to a McLaren win. Hamilton's demeanour after the Australian GP convinces me on the balance of probability that it'll be Button's.

I wouldn't write off Vettel having seen how he gradually got on top of the loss of EBD during the Australian GP. Webber's recovery, too, counts for something but at a circuit like Sepang it might be too much of a stretch for them just yet. Mercedes should have been able to mount a decent challenge here but I doubt they'll be able to resolve their Australian problems in a week. In their place I would expect Sauber to make at least one appearance well into the top ten.

 

Well, during the second half of last season that was certainly true but taking Lewis's career as a whole, he has generally fought back hard following a bad race.

As you say, Button certainly has the momentum and I almost chose him. Vettel has to have a good chance too given his form at Sepang. The safest prediction would be one of those three but I've gone for Lewis, with a healthy dose of wishful thinking.

 

I think(hope) it is finally time for Schumi to get another win, should it rain. This track should suit Mercedes better than Melbourne did. I also believe Räikkönen could be strong in the wet but have no idea how Lotus will perform here. Maybe Ferrari wont suffer as much tire deg and be able to run quicker in the wet? Button is a fairly sure bet for the top as always when it is wet. Senna showed promises as he was flying in mixed and slippery condition in a qualify last season, really hope he have a good weekend here and Williams are as strong as they were last week. Oh and Red Bull will surely be mighty competitive as usual.

I find it VERY difficult to predict this season as there are too many potential candidates. Love it being this close and not Red Bull dominance again (knock on wood), Love to see McLaren at the top but hope they wont be too strong and kill the season too soon.

 

Thanks EL_B and Genji - that's the sort of info that helps us speculate on the race to come.

 

I would imagine the fast corners and abrasive surface will highlight tyre wear for bioth cars and drivers. So the Mercs, Webber and Lewis may struggle on a dry track - not that I think we will have a dry race.

 

I've gone for Lewis, only that I think it will be a McLaren domination again, but with the high speed nature, I think it would suit Lewis more than Jenson as its less technical.

 

saying that though, Sepang is a smooth drivers paradise. If you get those corners spot on then you make so much time rather than attacking them.

 

I see what you're saying, but i think Lewis loses out more in the slow/technical areas of a track and relishes high speed twists and turns where he can nail the car through them. How much that will affect tyre wear could make the difference this weekend. Slow and steady may win the race!