Last year’s Malaysian Grand Prix was abandoned after heavy rain made racing impossible. More rain is expected throughout the weekend at Sepang this year.
Whatever the weather Sebastian Vettel will be hungry for victory after leading but losing in the last two races. Can he finally win one this weekend?
First of the fast tracks
After two stop-start circuits, Sepang is the first track the teams race at this year which makes big demands of their cars’ aerodynamic efficiency – how much downforce they can generate in the high-speed corners without losing speed down the straights.
McLaren’s F-duct should come into its own here, allowing the team to run more wing for the corners but stall their rear wing on the straights for greater straight-line speed. This has been one of their strengths so far this season as the speed trap figures from the first two races show:
Bahrain
Driver | Team | Top speed |
Lewis Hamilton | McLaren-Mercedes | 314.8kph |
Jenson Button | McLaren-Mercedes | 313.2kph |
Nico Hulkenberg | Williams-Cosworth | 313.1kph |
Australia
Driver | Team | Top speed |
Lewis Hamilton | McLaren-Mercedes | 310.3kph |
Jenson Button | McLaren-Mercedes | 305.0kph |
Fernando Alonso | Ferrari | 303.0kph |
However Red Bull enjoyed the quickest times through sector three in Bahrain, which features more of the kind of long, fast corners similar to several of those at Sepang. This was also a strength of their RB5 last year
That, combined with their rumoured ride height control system should give them an edge. Whether their cars can make it to the finish is another matter.
Eyes on the skies
The weather in Malaysia makes it a tough place to go racing at the best of times, with high air temperatures and suffocating humidity. The latter makes it harder for sweat to evaporate, meaning drivers have to go to great lengths to keep their body temperatures under control.
Car cooling is even more difficult this year because of the refuelling ban, as they no longer get a dose of fresh, cool fuel twice per race.
But they won’t just have the heat to contend with this year. The teams will be dodging thunderstorms all weekend which could disrupt practice and turn qualifying into a lottery.
The race starts one hour earlier than last year, so hopefully the teams won’t face running out of daylight in which to complete the race as happened last time. But we know when it rains at Sepang it tends to be a torrential downpour rather than a light sprinkling, so anything could happen.
Read more: More rain expected at Sepang
Drivers to watch
Four driver to keep an eye on this weekend. Name your top picks in the comments.
Michael Schumacher – Looked to have narrowed the gap to his team mate at Australia, then had his front wing knocked off at the first corner. With a wet track to play with, could we see a return to form for Schumacher in Sepang?
Sebastian Vettel – Should have two wins to his name already and lost both through no fault of his own. Wet weekends are his forte.
Adrian Sutil – Another driver who’s looked quicker than his team mate and needs to turn around his luck and get a result. Handy in the wet – when he keeps his car on the track.
Lewis Hamilton – Had his problems on and off the track in Australia.
And possibly Fairuz Fauzy too. There are reports the Lotus third driver will make a one-off appearance for the team in the first free practice session. I’ve approached Lotus for a confirmation but haven’t had one yet.
Paul di Resta will once again be driving for Force India, this time in place of Vitantonio Liuzzi in practice one.
The Malaysian Grand Prix on F1 Fanatic
Join us for live blogging during all the practice sessions for the Malaysian Grand Prix, plus qualifying and the race itself. Times here: Malaysian Grand Prix live TV times
Before the race weekend starts look out for our unofficial race programme with quick links to all the important information.
We’ll have analysis of the times during Friday practice and extensive coverage of qualifying and the race.
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Are you going to the Malaysian Grand Prix?
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2010 Malaysian Grand Prix
Image (C) BMW ag
bob
31st March 2010, 17:21
1)This is it Schumi! Go and drive like in old times! Its your big chance! Im with you forever!
2) So this is debut for Fauzy. He will drive in race someday…
3)Can Sutil finally score points?
4)Can Vettel finally score podium?
5)Is Massa really so bad in rain?
6)Kubica goes mad again?
David A
31st March 2010, 17:23
5) You may have missed the Brazilian Grand Prix in 2008.
bob
31st March 2010, 17:25
That was brilliant race for my second favourite after Schumi, but how many times has he spinned? I think more then Webber, Vettel, Kimi, Rosberg or Glock
steph90
31st March 2010, 17:43
Nurburgring 07 massa was great and China last year. Silverstone was bad and made worse by bad strategy but it isn’t the be all and end all of his wet weather talent.
bob
31st March 2010, 17:50
Ok, hope u re right and Massa will get podium
Ratboy
31st March 2010, 17:54
Like Steph said one race doesnt define wether Massa is good or bad in the wet, Hamilton in china 07 wasnt good but people have forgotten about it, and im sure there were a few wet races early in M Schumachers career which he’d happily forget.
At least Massa hasnt retired from a wet race like Prost did in Aus 1989 (I think maybe wrong)
TommyB
31st March 2010, 18:19
People forget Kimi had a shocker in that race too, Massa isn’t as bad a wet weather driver as people think. He has put in some good performances but that one race will curse him forever.
bob
31st March 2010, 18:41
yeah, but even driving sauber, he didnt make any good races in rain. I know that Sauber was not so good car, but look what Vettel has done with Toro Rosso in Monza and Fuji(?) until crash
PatrickL
31st March 2010, 22:00
Bob,
That 2008 Torro Rosso and the Red Bull were great in the rain. There was only one non Newey car in the top 4 after qualifying.
People forget that the car determines most of the handling and thus wet weather performance.
For instance, when Schumacher was driving a Benetton he wasn’t impressive in the rain at all. Many accidents. Alesi was great in the rain in his Ferrari. Then they switched teams and all of a sudden Schumacher was a rain master and Alesi not so much anymore.
Icthyes
1st April 2010, 0:51
Ratboy, Hamilton drove very well in the rain in China 07, building a comfortable lead. It was when it dried that everything went wrong! And ironically, the first and biggest of McLaren’s strategy blunders with Hamilton…
Icthyes
1st April 2010, 0:57
I think two things define wet-weather ability:
1) Staying on the road in the position your car normally is. Massa’s proved that.
2) Punching above your weight/crushing everyone in the rain. Massa hinted at this in China 09, though everyone seems to forget he was on a different strategy and as high up as he was because of it.
Hopefully Massa will do well if it rains and surprise a lot of people!
Untitled258
31st March 2010, 21:21
I seem to remember a certain Mr Hamilton so called master in the wet, spinning about 5 times in the rain in China09, if the car doesnt work in the rain, there is not much the driver can do, if Kimi was spinning at silverstone too, which i remember him doing around woodcote a couple of times, then there must of been a problem with the car set up.
Other then GB08 i have no idea when Massa was poor in the rain.
ashes1991
31st March 2010, 21:26
Sutil has already scored points, he got fourth place at Monza in 2009.
rfs
31st March 2010, 22:43
I only remember seeing Lewis spinning twice in China last year.
PJA
1st April 2010, 9:41
I don’t think Massa has any real problems in the rain, and agree that the car needs to be suited to the wet.
At Silverstone 2008 Massa was spinning off while loosing places and being slow, while at China 2009 Hamilton was spinning while pushing and overtaking others, which I think is why the two races are viewed differently.
Fred-o
1st April 2010, 19:29
Itchyes, Massa was on a one-stopper in China in 2009. He could have made it from 13th or what it was to the podium. That is skill.
Cyclops
31st March 2010, 22:11
6) define mad, please
bob
31st March 2010, 22:19
mad-crazy
he was crazy last GP, I mean he drove like a god. with so bad car (relative to big4) he achieved 2nd place! Its brilliant!
Jarred Walmsley
31st March 2010, 22:22
ashes1991, I think Keith is refferring to 2010 when he is talking about Sutil’s lack of points
ashes1991
31st March 2010, 23:57
Well Massa hasn’t driven bad in the rain this year…
Harvs
1st April 2010, 5:16
well massa hasnt won a wet race yet, brazil 08 wasnt a wet race, 90% of the laps were dry. and the two cars behind him were not in a hundred years ever going to challenge him for the lead because they wanted him to be champion
David A
1st April 2010, 15:47
To be honest, it was a race with changing conditions, Massa kept his cool on a wet and dry track, rain affected the grip levels for a good deal of the race, and Massa drove admirably. He won in the wet, what else could you want?
bob
31st March 2010, 17:30
Look what I found http://www.met.gov.my/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=675&Itemid=1749 . Looks like Malaysia doesnt like to change wether forecast, so they have one for all week :D
TommyC
1st April 2010, 1:39
the way weather forecasting should be…that’s hilarious
Joshy
31st March 2010, 17:51
Where can I put in my predictions for this race?
Enigma
31st March 2010, 17:52
There will be a special post on the blog on friday I think. You’ll be able to predict it here too: https://www.racefans.net/community/f1-fanatic-predictions-championship/
bob
31st March 2010, 17:54
And dont forget pole time format mm:ss.ttt
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
31st March 2010, 19:36
There’s a link in this article, fourth paragraph under ‘The Malaysian Grand Prix on F1 Fanatic’.
Enigma
31st March 2010, 17:51
Are the cars this year faster than ever? There was a track record in Melbourne I think.
bob
31st March 2010, 17:56
yeah, but only if they are with zero fuel
Enigma
31st March 2010, 17:56
Keith, you probably meant that Red Bull was the fastest in sector 3 at Melbourne, not Bahrain.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
31st March 2010, 19:34
No I meant Bahrain.
Enigma
31st March 2010, 19:50
Sorry then. My bad.
samakafuzzy
31st March 2010, 18:43
No, he meant Bahrain, as both Bahrain’s Sector 3 and Sepang’s sector 3 feature very long straights. Melbourne doesn’t have a long straight like those 2 trcks!
TJ
31st March 2010, 18:49
I saw a few tweets from the F1 folk in KL, can’t remember who. They mentioned that the thunder, lightning and rain rolled in around 4pm yesterday. The race start time is 4pm (don’t know if this is different to last year) but I can’t imagine the race getting in before the storms roll up.
TJ
31st March 2010, 18:52
Just found it, last years start time was 5pm. Will one hours difference be enough to avoid the rain?
bob
31st March 2010, 19:08
I hope not! :) So it means that rain is going to start in warm up lap :D
F1 Outsider
31st March 2010, 19:39
If I remember correctly Massa was pole position in 07 and 07 in Malaysia but lost both races due to mistakes. It’ll be interesting to see if he redeems himself this time at this track. He was progressing well last year in that dog of a car until the race was called. “Felipe baby stay cool” hahahaha that was great.
F1 Outsider
31st March 2010, 19:40
in 07 & 08* I meant to say.
bob
31st March 2010, 19:52
I dont know how it is in the world, but in my country there is expression- ”third time-lucky one” So this is Massa’s third time
Harvs
1st April 2010, 5:18
also could be vettels third pole…
… how boring
David A
1st April 2010, 16:05
And he probably won’t win from it for the third time, which won’t be boring.
BasCB
31st March 2010, 19:43
Great quote from Brawn about Schumacher, I hope he can show some magic in a wet Sepang:
LewisC
31st March 2010, 23:15
That’s all very well, but Schumacher didn’t retire after winning five titles on the bounce. He retired after losing two on the bounce.
David A
1st April 2010, 16:05
And afer winning 7 races in his final season of course.
bob
31st March 2010, 19:58
Is any malaysian here? Whats wether there?
bob gemok
1st April 2010, 3:38
hujan lebat gile tiap2 petang!
(heavy rain every single afternoon!)
bob
1st April 2010, 7:51
Thanks. What about wind and humidity?
And how heavy is it?
bob kurus
1st April 2010, 8:11
Yup, heavy torrential rain every afternoon, starting around 4pm, the track will be flooded. Theres no escape.. if u start midday it will be scorching hot the drivers will drown in flooded overalls instead, LOL.
bob
1st April 2010, 8:20
so race can be stopped again this year
verstappen
31st March 2010, 21:27
Just for fun I want the battle of the Germans for the podium this year: Schumi, Rosberg, Vettel and Sutil
(Rosberg in the rain? No memories here)
LeRoy
31st March 2010, 21:42
Does Bernie’s pocket get bigger with a half an hour of European prime-time coverage? Or a full race in the morning?
This track is one of my favorites, great driving track!
Untitled258
31st March 2010, 22:02
He can probably charge more for trackside sponsorship as its on at an hour which is more sociable for the main european market.
I seem to remember reading that he, or FOM or someone does all the deals for trackside advertising at races, except he doesn’t own the rights for Monaco.
Salty
31st March 2010, 22:47
Schumacher in the rain? Yes, for sure, not many could match him, but the key for him this weekend will be to outperform Rosberg, the first podium can wait.
Vettel in the rain, in Adrian’s lastest meisterwerk will be tough to hold onto IF he gets pole. But Vettel must be starting to feel the pressure of those two victories that just slipped through his fingers, added to which, the RB6 is not proving to be a Tonka toy right now.
Adrian Sutil is quick. No doubts there. And no matter how much Jarno waves around his dossier of damnation, Brazil ’09 wasn’t the Force India driver’s fault. FI have turned out a very respectable chassis/aero package based on the first two races, and we all know the Mercedes engine is right up there. Damp track is not going to hold him back. Top 6 finish.
Lewis is quicker than a very quick thing indeed. And yes, a wet track does tend to highlight is reactions and ability to control a car on the very edge. But Malaysia is better suited to his team mate’s more fluid (no pun indeeded) style. Close call, but…
Outside bet? Barrichello making top 5.
Joey-Poey
31st March 2010, 23:29
I hope you’re right on Barrichello. I’ll be very sad if this is his last year and this pattern continues
Roberttty
31st March 2010, 23:36
I’m in Malaysia this weekend and it’s raining every single afternn!
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
31st March 2010, 23:41
Are you going to be at the race?
Roberttty
2nd April 2010, 8:35
@Keith yup I will be at track on Sat and Sun. Hope there’s wifi! :-)
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
2nd April 2010, 17:44
Cool are you Tweeting?
Roberttty
3rd April 2010, 3:19
@Keith tweeting – will depend if somehow there’s wifi on hillside zone c3… Highly unlikely
Roberttty
3rd April 2010, 3:26
Anyway, I’m at http://www.twitter.com/tien_yew
Enigma
2nd April 2010, 18:34
Weren’t you in Singapore’s GP last year?
Roberttty
3rd April 2010, 3:21
@Enigma yeah! I was at the Singapore last year. I’m planning to go to at least one GP each year… Melbourne is next year! :)
Toby Bushby
1st April 2010, 0:50
Keep an eye on Barrichello too. He seems to grasp the right strategy more often than not in true wet races. And I’ll also put in a word for Williams to step up a bit in Malaysia. The car seems to have very good aero efficiency, as has been shown by speed-trap times, plus they’ve admitted that they’re having problems getting the most out of the engine at the moment, which makes their straight line speed even more impressive. It seems that slow corners are their achilles heel this year, so a track like Malaysia may suit them, whereas Monaco may be a nightmare, unlike recent years.
TommyC
1st April 2010, 0:58
i’d say keep an eye on kubica too. he’s been exceptional in wet conditions. i remember monaco 2008-kubica, vettel and webber were the only 3 drivers to make no mistakes. keep an eye on all 3 i’d say.
US_Peter
1st April 2010, 1:30
Weather Underground has an hourly forecast:
http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=zmw:00000.1.48647&hourly=1&yday=93&weekday=Sunday
Looks like 100% cloud cover and 30% chance of thunderstorms at race time.
FLIG
1st April 2010, 1:34
Kubica will kick ass, and I’m eager to see what Kobayashi’s gonna do when it rains.
bob
1st April 2010, 7:52
I think he will drive normally in P15. And no Kamikaze should be used
tilarama
1st April 2010, 3:00
why is the ferraris so slow in the damp track? while others not? they said that they cant get heat to their tyres? how bout others? if lewis not in to the pit for the 2nd time, the ferraris will be waaaaaaay baaaack….
Pink Peril
1st April 2010, 3:17
I just hope we get to see a full race, not 30 minutes like last time :(
F1Fan
1st April 2010, 3:21
This should be a great battle in the rain between Vettel, Lewis, Alonso and Michael. Not good for Massa if it rains.
Stefan
1st April 2010, 3:44
You’ll never know in the rain, you still need a good car though. Watch the Brazilian GP in 2003, the winner wasn’t Schumacher (he retired, the infamous corner 3 parking spot) it was Fisichella.
Look also at Hungary 2006, there you saw what a different tyre can do (Michelin vs Bridgestone). I also remember Silverstone with Massa, that really was fun for the people to watch. But I also remember Belgium 08 with Räikkönen crashing and Hamilton not aloud to win.
The rain is also expected to fall during the qualifying, which can created an unusual starting grid for the race. Which doesn’t matter if the race will also have some rain in the beginning, but if it doesn’t… and if the drivers’ are Vettel or driving Ferrari or a McLaren… they’ll have work to do! :)
hassnol
1st April 2010, 3:45
hi all,
i’m hassnol from malaysia. i’m in kl right now and the weather now (10:42am) is cloudy. expecting rain later this afternoon. the weather in kl have been this way for the past 10 days.
keith… great sites!!! two thumbs up
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
1st April 2010, 8:05
Thanks hassnol!
HarryD
1st April 2010, 3:54
Hamilton drove his guts out in last race. he will win if not on podium… Go Lewis…
KNF
1st April 2010, 4:26
Reading the article and the comments… I have a strange feeling that someone has been left out of the drivers to watch list, his name escapes me, but he won his first GP in a wet race, and won last year’s Malaysian GP after it was ended early…
What was his name again? Can’t remember, but it’s related to clothing in one way or another… ;D
Patrickl
1st April 2010, 11:53
Was that the same driver who was driving the fastest car at that moment and who had a lead of half a minute on the next car at the time when it started to rain?
SeattleChris
1st April 2010, 7:00
I expect an all German podium (rain provided).
bob
1st April 2010, 7:56
Rosberg, Schumi, Sutil, Vettel, Hulkenberg, Glock.
Last 2 no, Sutil probably no, both Mercedes? I dont think so
wasiF1
1st April 2010, 8:49
I was suppose to go this race it’s a big shame that I couldn’t.
PeterG
1st April 2010, 9:23
As weatherforecasts for Melbourne were predicting an all dry weekend. This time we will probably have a dry race from start to finish.
My man for this race will be Rosberg. He was always fast here and now has car that could handle it’s rivals.
If it is raining then predicitons will be very tough.
So our first guess is the weather and then the predicition game. Looking at all the weather forecats in the above everybody is well prepared.
So… we are confident that we have made a big step forward and wil introduce new parts that I am proud to say the team have worked flat out to get on the car in time, for sure.
hassnol
1st April 2010, 10:26
it’s 5:25pm in kl and it is raining…..
jenson maniac
1st April 2010, 12:43
Why do Jenson button said that they will struggle here ????????????
F1Filmaker
1st April 2010, 13:38
Just learnt that Schumacher not be driving this weekend and has decided to return to retirement. Hiedfeld will be taking his place!!
:(
cholle
1st April 2010, 17:08
I will be at Sepang, albeit I will be arriving on Friday evening, so I’ll start tweeting from the track on Saturday. I’m at http://twitter.com/cholled. Will try to get some good snapshots as well. Will be seated at the K1 grandstand – this should be interesting.