Rosberg did state before the weekend that they were looking at compromising qualifying performance in order to manage the tyres better in the race. Perhaps they did but only with Rosberg.
Its a shame that Rosberg, once given a car seemingly capable of getting pole is suddenly messing up his vital qually laps apparently cracking under pressure. I'd always assumed given this oppurtunity he would maximise it.
This is a possibility isn't it. However, I think Vettel will be running his own race and will not care too much if he loses a couple of places, since he should be able to go far longer than all other front runners. He will probably go for three stops - as I expect most to - but in theory he could be planning for just two!
think vettel may have screwed up his strategy with this one. if he wants to keep up with the front, he will have to pump quali laps in one after the other, wrecking his tires MUCH faster than normal and also tiring himself out. can't see him getting the win or even on the podium
Remember when Mark started on the primes in China 2011 and went from 18th to 3rd. Sebastian could end up doing something similar, especially if he puts the mediums on last. On the flip side, it could turn out like Canada 2010. Whos got a coin.
I think he'll lose a place or two off the line and possibly another at some point in the first lap while he struggles with tyre temperature. He needs to be careful with the inexperienced Grosjean behind and a potentially fast-starting Rosberg. I don't think it will be too costly though. If Sauber (Perez) goes longer than those around him in the first stint he'll probably make his first pit stop at the same time as Vettel - so maybe he could hold up the leaders after their first stop, giving Vettel a nice advantage.
Maybe. Full tanks are going to take a lot out of the options, though - performance may drop off a lot sooner than planned first pit stops, which will be sooner than Vettel's. Then again, all this speculation will be moot if the heavens open.
Now there are three teams according to AMuS which may protest against Mercedes' F-Duct solution: Lotus, Red Bull and Ferrari.
http://sports.williamhill.com/bet/en-gb/betting/e/2836800/Malaysian-Grand-Prix---Lap-1-Leader.html Its looking like good odds on Button and/or Schumacher for this bet. The Merc is a good starter, and isnt Button on the inside? 50p on each sounds good to me
It's quite dusty I think, but the cars move from right to left as they come down the straight so there isn't necessarily a clean side, the drivers seem to prefer starting on the left though.
I think its the right side (Inside) as you look down the straight to the 1st corner. The racing line moves from right to left but at what point it crosses over the grid I dont know. With it being a right corner straight into a left its never really a straight forward hold your position start - should be good!
Could be wheel to wheel right up to turn 3 lol. Does anyone know when Sky coverage starts tomorrow please?
