2014 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix

Red_Bull

Gives you wings?
Joined
Jan 11, 2007
Messages
8,235
Location
Adelaide, Australia
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Ok guys, welcome to the Malaysian Grand Prix thread. So we got to see the new formula for the first time at Melbourne and how the teams have got to grips (or havent yet) with the new technologies. There's no doubt the noise of the engines is a fairly divisive issue between us and it's not likely to change any time soon. But I'd like to move away from that discussion - just a bit of house keeping this thread is for the Malaysian Grand Prix so any discussions re air freight logistics can be had in the other threads here, unless it's pertinent to the race. Thanks :)

So what can we expect for Malaysia? Well it's going to be hot and sticky as Malaysia usually is. That means the teams are going to have to cut some holes and try to maximise cooling and keep the ERS in the ideal operating window. Also spare a thought for Kevin Magnussen and Danil Kyvat who wont be used to having to race for up to two hours in the tropical heat. Kyvat actually ran out of water very early on in Australia, he's going to have to ration it out a bit for this one!

What else? Can Mercedes be caught? can McLaren deliver on their promise to be 0.5s quicker? Where are Ferrari and Red Bull really at? Can Red Bull obey a direction from the FIA regarding fuel flow if required? Can Max Chilton out qualify and finish ahead of his teammate again?



Lets think back for a bit. Who here remembers the 1999 inaugural event?

Well it was the penultimate round of the 1999 F1 championship and was notable for the return of Michael Schumacher after his accident at Silverstone, as well as the infamous and somewhat farcical Ferrari bargeboard saga.

It was an interesting lead up to the event as Schumacher had spent the last three months on the sidelines with a broken leg while Mika Salo drove in his place, scoring some good results at Hockenheim and Monza. But the Ferrari president felt that in order to truly take the might to Mika Hakkinen and McLaren he needed his star driver back in the seat to play shotgun for Irvine?s title bid, a scenario thought to be extremely unsatisfactory for Schumacher. He did actually test at Monza and set some quick times but still complained of pain and altogether appeared unwilling to drive for the rest of the season and especially unwilling to help Irvine. But rumour has it Montezemolo phoned Schumacher?s home in Switzerland and it was the German?s young daughter Gina Maria who answered and said her father was out playing football. LDM made it very clear that the German was expected to be on a plane for Malaysia.

In true Schumacher style, he wiped the floor with everyone in qualifying, setting a lap time almost a second faster than his teammate and aspiring world champion Eddie Irvine. Mika Hakkinen as the other combatant for the world championship lined up fourth for McLaren.

So Schumacher led away off the line and very shortly after let his teammate past into the lead while he proceeded to block the chasing David Coulthard and Hakkinen to allow Irvine to build a lead. However Coulthard was able to force his way past but broke down before he could mount a challenge on Irvine.

As the pitstops were completed Schumacher allowed Irvine to pass once again to take the win while Hakkinen had to settle for third after a hard fought race With Johnny Herbert?s Stewart Ford.
However, the drama was only just starting to unfold. The stewards found the bargeboards on both Ferraris to be illegal and subsequently threw the red cars out of the race, making Hakkinen world champion. Ferrari immediately lodged an appeal, claiming the measuring devices the stewards used were faulty (sound familiar? :p). The appeal was upheld a few days later and Ferrari were allowed to keep the result in a move that drew criticisms of favouritism as it was clear the sport?s paymasters were keen to see the title race go to the final race in Japan.


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We have a few days before the race, chip in with your thoughts, expectations, etc!
 
Being Malaysia, its going to piss down in completley predicatble unpredictable intervals, so my money is on Vettel pending any mechanical drama's with Riciardo following behind to pick up the pieces should zee German DNF.
Outside chance: Fernando.
 
Rain is a likely outcome! The only problem is when it rains in Malaysia it usually monsoons it's way down and the race has to be stopped.
 
I think it's gonna be Lewis for the win, with a Red Bull and Williams (I cannot say which) filling up the rest of the Podium spots.

The forecast is rainy, from what I saw a couple of days ago. I love the Malaysian GP for the weather moreso than anything else :)
 
I think HAM will bounce back and take the win, finger second and Eyebrowse third!
 
Good job Red_Bull!!! :clap::clap::clap:

We are gonna see some Coke and Magnum this weekend. Want for Williams podium!
 
Would like to see an exciting race. I'm not too bothered about the winner, as long as the racing is eventful.
 
I want to see Ferrari give a good performance, maybe a podium or 2 but it would be nice to see Massa on podium as well since he got knocked out of the race in Australia.
 
A Malaysian friend of mine says it's gonna be pretty damn wet this weekend.
 
If it rains, the actual Boost button to power the ERS becomes the Spin button.
 
Kimi has been second fastest in both practices today.. I'm hoping he's getting things more sorted than they were in Australia :)
 
Yep, he's saying he's much more comfy with the F14 and Alonso doesn't look out of place. Dis could be gud.
 
If it rains, the actual Boost button to power the ERS becomes the Spin button.

As far as I understand, the electric motors are primarily used to fill in the gaps in the power band, however they can implement power modes that simulates a boost button if they want.
 
Kimi has been second fastest in both practices today.. I'm hoping he's getting things more sorted than they were in Australia :)

He's looking a bit better than he was in Melbourne. Difficult session for KM though, the McLaren doesnt look very good in the fast curves at the moment.
 
yup, noob mistake from the double world champion.

good job by the Ferrari crew to get the car back in action.
 
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