I don't seem to be able to cast a vote on my phone, but I would be surprised if Alonso didn't win this race. The Ferrari seemed to be the most balanced of the cars in terms of being a good all rounder to me. With the lightning starts making a front row start not as necessary for them, and apparently good tyre wear I think he's a pretty good bet providing it stays dry. As we all know, when it rains in Malaysia it really rains, so personally I would prefer it not to; during the race at least. A long rain delay is no good for anyone, and I want to see Kimi racing, not eating ice cream..... Were a little wet stuff to fall though, I think Hamilton could spring a surprise, providing he can find a similar set up to what Rosberg did in Melbourne. I wouldn't rule out someone like Sutil or Hulkenberg popping up there either. Unfortunately it looks like being another tough weekend for McLaren, but I think we'll be saying that until Barcelona at least. Roll on Friday!
Not sure if this info has been posted? Craig Scarborough‏@ScarbsF1@Pirelli_Media "The P Zero Orange hard has been nominated for Sepang together with the P Zero White medium," @sepangcircuit "Malaysia places heavy lateral demands on the tyres; it’s the second-highest lateral load of the year after Barcelona". F1 lap of @sepangcircuit demands 60% of the lap on full throttle, topping out at 311kmh & burns 2.45l of fuel per lap, which is just 4.48mpg
if it rains during quali, i hope they don't postpone it. its sort of okay i guess on a street circuit like australia, but on a purpose built race track there should be no excuse for delaying unless its a full out monsoon
The forecast is for non stop rain friday, saturday and sunday. Red Bull seemed to struggle in wet conditions, it was only when conditions improved that they started to show more speed. If it's wet I'm going for a Rosberg/Hamilton/Alonso pole and Hamilton/Alonso win.
Non-stop rain means the result of the 2013 Malaysian GP will be delayed until they re-run it in 2014.. Like others have mentioned, Malaysia doesn't do light rain showers! No BBC live coverage means more "Crofty" filling for when no ones on the track.. the MUTE button could be a bit worn by the end of this race weekend!
On a serious note.. if the whole of FP1-3 was washed out, as well as Q1-3 and conditions didn't improve on the Sunday for running of qualifying, what/how would the starting order be determined? finishing order of last GP? Also, if conditions were that bad, would the race start behind a safety car, run 1/3rd distance and then call it quits, award half points? I hope not, that would be the mother of all farces and if I were a paying customer I'd be none too impressed.
They would lineup in car number order I think. I'm not staying up for these practice sessions this weekend purely on the fact that there will probably no action on track
Double DRS confirmed for Malaysia? not read it anywhere yet? If so, is it the back and home straight? Would that have one detection zone? If so, then one could use the DRS to overtake a car going into the final corner and use it again to make a break down the home straight (not far IMHO) I'd like to have seen one of the DRS zones starting coming out of turn 3 up to turn 4 (with two detection points) Gives the guy that's been overtaken (I assuming going into turn 1) the chance to try and take that spot back going into turn 4
Google, a wonderful thing.. Found this: Two DRS zones will be in place for this year's Malaysian Grand Prix, with governing body the FIA deciding to add an extra activiation area along the back straight. The detection line for Zone 1 has been placed between Turns 12 and 13, with DRS usage permitted along the penultimate straight. The second zone, preceded by its Turn 15 detection point, runs from the beginning to the end of the start-finish straight. I like the fact that its got two detection zones, however, the sensible driver wouldn't try to pass going into the final corner, just stay close, activate the second detection zone and make the move going into the first corner at the start of the next lap.
Fun fact: there is actually no rule for this eventuality listed on the FIA website! http://www.formula1.com/inside_f1/rules_and_regulations/sporting_regulations/8686/fia.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/21853491 McLaren sorry for Mark Webber engine control unit error http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/8578526/McLaren-apologise-to-Red-Bull McLaren apologise to Webber and Red Bull
Reckon Mark probably ended up with the one Martin Brundle made... [video=youtube;qlemxErefpY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlemxErefpY[/video]