Hamilton is probably best placed to finish where he starts unless he can get Button on the first lap. Button has been driving better than Hamilton all weekend too. Hamilton seems 'tight' and is not letting the car flow as normal, clearly concerned about his tyre wear and still with a bad taste in his mouth from last weekend. As for "best placed for win", I reckon Vettel could afford two extra stops and still win! He is miles ahead; driving beautifully in a car that is full of the joys of spring. Seriously, Vettel's Red Bull is dancing. Something to behold when you see the on-board shots… Hamilton and Button should hold off Rosberg to be able to claim 2nd and 3rd. Vettel has so much time in hand that he can take it easy. - Not joking here. He's miles ahead with the biggest pace advantage seen on an F1 grid for about five years. Failing some unforeseen disaster he has no opposition tomorrow.
I think Hamilton will have his hands full with Rosberg. Nico wasn't far behind in qualifying and he manages his tyres well, the Merc has been quite heavy on its tyres but I think that's more down to the fact they couldn't get the balance right. Could be an interesting battle.
You could be right Absolutely G but if it comes to a fight between them, I'd wager an odds-on bet in Hamilton's favour, at least until the first pit stops.
I mentioned last week the McLaren had sacrificed top speed in order to run higher downforce, but I didn't realise quite how much. Check this out: please log in to view this image They must be running huge amounts of wing, Webber is quicker than them without KERS. One of Hamilton's key strengths is his overtaking ability, that's going to be severely compromised now the car is so slow. It also explains why he never looked like passing Heidfeld last week, look at the pace of the Renault. They have the least powerful engine, made worse by their radical exhaust system, and they're beasting it. What an efficient aero package they've developed.
It's a screen grab from the official F1 website: http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2011/848/6835/speed_trap.html
Not really looking good for Mark Webber - he isn't that fast in the speed traps, he's hard on his tyres, and he will be stuck in traffic a lot of the time. If he can't get past Nick Heidfeld at the start, his race will be very compromised, given that quick nick is fastest in the speed traps.
Heidfeld will probably carve through the field himself so he shouldn't hold Webber up too much. Webber has a faster car so he should be able to clear Nick in the pitstop phase. Both of them should be fairly off the line, I could see them being up to about 12th by the end of the first lap if they don't tangle with anyone.
I'm predicting Massa will get 3rd. All year whoever starts in 6th has done Go Heidfeld get your first win!! Or Petrov or Rosberg.
The McLarens only 1 and 2 kph slower than Vettel. The top speed guys can't get downforce, hence their position. Top speed is only reached for a fraction of a second - no big deal. I'd have traction on the corners anyday.
I really hope Nico beats Lewis into the first corner, be a good start to repent for his horrible start last week. ATTACK NICO, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD ATTACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But he wasnt in Malaysia, he let Heidfeld from 6th (4 places behind) into 2nd. I believe he is scared of Germans. Atleast he wasnt alive in 1940s
Hehehe loved Massa's move on Perez near the end of Q2...but 7 tenths?!!! Man Vettel is just flying. Hamilton seems rattled and frustrated. Unlucky for the Renaults but from 4th backwards it looks really interesting with the Renaults and Webber try to make their way up. Well done to Toro Rosso their 2nd best qualifying session to date, and Di Resta putting Sutil to shame. Great by Rosberg getting ahead of the Ferraris but it looks as if he sets his car up more for qualifying rather than the race. And finally....what's up with McLarens new jazzed up overalls?
