Vettel still has to pass 2 cars before thinking of a podium let alone a win. Plus considering the straight line speed of Mercedes compared to Red Bull he may find it difficult to pass, he then has to switch to the option's which he claims to be struggling with. We also don't know what the weather will be yet so that's another factor.
Fernando had a KERS problem in Q3. http://twitter.com/#!/InsideFerrari/status/183478517516865536 However, even with KERS working he wouldn't have improved on his position.
I doubt he will get anything serious since the audio says he didn't see a single flag when it happend.
At the end of the day, destroying YOUNGER Nico Rosberg after all the rumours about losing his pace through age, and now only being a tenth off the Mclarens, he has every right to have a smug face. Especially after doing it twice.
No points awarded in qualifying and the chance of rain makes qualifying not as important as other tracks, but a little bit worried for Jenson as Schumacher will bolt it on the clean side and he isn't afraid to be aggressive into turn one.
I always expected schumachers experience being up the front to pay off when Mercedes actually got there. Nico is basically a rookie when it comes to the sharp end of the grid so I would expect him to struggle with the added pressure, he isn't just trying to beat Schumi now, he's fighting for the WDC now.
Anyone know what the long runs were like for the top 5 in P3? Maybe that will indicate how a dry race will pan out. I fancey Schuey to really screw up the early part of the race. The Mercs look good on the start and being on the clean side it wouldn't suprise me if he is leading onto the 1st corner.
Gary Anderson just explained the Mercedes DRS-duct on the snazzy new GazPad (a clipboard and a fluorescent marker).
Just re watching it again on the BBC (loving the commentary by DC and Ben Edwards by the way and Gary Anderson's explanation on the Mercedes duct). Vettel on the harder compound was interesting but I don't think his target on that was 6th place. Interesting to see Schumacher in 3rd place. Looking very worthy is Schumacher. Can't believe he's 43 to be honest. Rosberg butchered that last qualifying session and it seems to me he is a bit taken aback by the speed Schumacher has shown in qualifying trim. I think he expected to be far more comfortable than the great man as he has been the last two years but that isn't happening. Will Mercedes get a podium tomorrow? It's going to be hard if all the runners around Schumacher are still running in the race. The tyre degradation of the Mercedes will prove to be a downfall I'm sure and it seems much more realistic that the McLaren's and Red Bull will be solidly ahead of them in race pace. Still a good chance for a good haul of points for Mercedes.
Without a cause for conflict, I would love to understand Miggins/Cosicave's view on Schumacher's turn of pace in Qualifying, and Rosberg's lack of it.
Team radio from qualifying: [video=dailymotion;xpnl6r]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xpnl6r_2012-f1-malaysian-grand-prix-qualifying-pit-channel-team-radio-feature_auto[/video]
I've just read the last two pages of comments here, with the intention of contributing myself; only to see a personal request. - Don't worry EMSC: it was coming anyway! I'm glad you've had something to cheer you up but slightly alarmed to hear that you shed a tear! (Oo err… Another great session from the McLaren duo. Hamilton's error in the final corner of his Pole lap probably cost him 3 tenths. His one lap pace is massive. However, Button will be a very serious threat to him in the race tomorrow… Hats off to Schumacher who showed a clean pair of heals to Rosberg; who, as others have suggested, is beginning to look weak when under pressure to really perform in a top car. I fully expect Schumacher to present a real threat to the McLarens into turn 1 but I sincerely hope he can keep it clean to avoid giving himself another black mark with his driving. Webber is looking better than Vettel in this year's Red Bull, but I think the latter's choice of tyres is, for him, the clever option (sic). Expect Vettel to place higher - I certainly don't discount a podium. But it will be interesting to see how Horner manages to swap them if things look tight between his drivers… A good performance from Räikkönen too. A bit of a shame about his grid drop.- - - o0o - - - It should be a fascinating race…
Rosberg has not got a lack of pace; he has just made a couple of errors in the last two qualis. If he had not of locked up going into the first corner today then he could of got 3rd on the grid.
I wish for a clean start by the top three also, Schumacher shouldn't wish for anything above what the car can cope with, thus bringing home a stash of points is the best option. I think he actually will play it calm in the race to look after the tyres anyway. (Probably a 3 stopper for him). Rosberg did well in SP3 I have to admit, but it is qualifying that is hindering, where as it was true for Schumacher in the past two years.
