Good win for Button today, Vettel did a good job to get 2nd and a bit dissapointed to see Lewis 3rd. But it's still a podium so not a disaster. Also loved Kimi's radio message about the blue flags. Overall a great opening race.
Looking to the immediate future, ominously for Hamilton, he has never won at Malaysia, in fact the only time he has finished higher than 5th at Malaysia was a 2nd place in his debut season.
I'f he has learnt his lesson from last year and he says he has, then he should recognise this and focus on just making the podium, another 3rd would do, and let the wins come at his better tracks eg. china.
I dont think that a 3rd would do it for him to be honest. If Button wins (for example) then that'd be 20 points down in the championship. Where Hamilton's head has been lately, he wont ever catch that up. Maybe its too early in the season to say right now, but i think Malaysia is a must win for Hamilton, or atleast a non Button win.
But Button is bound to get a DNF at some point, If he just stick in consistency at his weaker tracks and guns for victory and his strong tracks and I think he is the only multiple winner at china and button gets a DNF somewhere he should be right back in it.
Looking at the weather it has thunderstorms all week in Kuala Lumpur. Wet race would suit Hamilton as it seems the Mclarens have more downforce than the Red Bulls at the moment.
Malaysia is a very different track to Melbourne, the race isnt decided after turn one, plenty of chances to overtake so it should be more action packed at the front. There is not a lot in it in terms of race pace between Red Bull and McLaren, and a massive 19 races left, it not a must win for anyone really.
Problem is in 2007/8 he looked genuinely happy with 2nds and 3rds which he should be, if you get them consistently your chances are great. Depending on Bahrain there are 18 races left, some seasons have been 18 races long, people get DNFs. Its a bit early to say anyone is out of it already - except Massa The issue for me is where was his pace today. When he was behind Button in clean air button was still pulling away. Was he hurt by the loss of practice time perhaps.
Just to demonstrate how far we've come as a forum. 12 months ago we didn't even have a race thread, this year we have over 800 posts in this race thread.
To think that Red Bull hasn't led any aspect of this championship whatsoever. No fastest practice times, no fastest quali tmes, no laps led, not leading either championship. Incredible.
Well when the championship consists of one race... Must say it was good to see them have to work for their result today. Their endless pole positions will not be missed.
Not seen anyone post this yet, there is quite a bit more race pace in the McLaren than shown today http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98176
Hmm, I think that's ambitious to be honest. Whilst they were obviously quick in qualifying, Christian Horner on the BBC Inside F1 program reckons that their innovative/illegal (depending on who you support) DRS system was worth about 0.5 seconds. Remove that and they would have been 6th and 7th on the grid. I don't think they have the race pace. Overtaking may be difficult, but I think Red Bull would have got passed through the pit-stops, as seen with Rosberg.
