2015 Formula One Malaysian Grand Prix

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Seb Scott

Formula 1 Reporter
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The unanswered questions from Australia continue to be asked as we head into this weekend for the 17th Malaysian Grand Prix held at the Sepang International Circuit. The race is always a difficult one for both teams and drivers due to the sweltering heat and humidity, temperatures never usually dropping below 30 degrees and rain is notorious for making an appearance at some point over the Grand Prix weekend.


Circuit Facts and figures:
  • First Winner: Eddie Irvine, Ferrari, Scuderia Ferrari.
  • Track length 5.543km
  • Lap record: Juan Pablo Montoya, Williams BMW F1 Team, 2004 01:34.223
  • 2014 Pole position Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 1:59.431 (wet conditions)
  • 2014 Race winner: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes Fastest lap 1:43.066 on lap 53
Biggest news going into the race weekend is that Fernando Alonso has confirmed he will be racing after his mysterious Barcelona testing incident so a lot of eyes will be on him to see what miracles the Spanish driver could implement if McLaren Honda are able to somehow able to produce a reliable package for this weekend. Something to watch out for would also be the difference in race pace and qualifying times between Button and Alonso.

Mercedes of course are expected to win, the question is though, by what margin? Malaysia really will test teams with the hot conditions, with the German outfit having perfected their tyre runs in testing and reliability and other teams still struggling to run a standard race run we could be set to see Mercedes over a minute in front of the field. With the current rate of attrition of the grid could we potentially see the Silver Arrows lap the field if all goes well for them.

The weekend will also give Williams an opportunity to take the fight to Ferrari as it looks like the competition for best of the rest will intensify with Valtteri Bottas returning to his race seat pending passing a medical on Thursday after injuring his back during the Australian Grand Prix weekend.

The battle of the bulls will be interesting if Toro Rosso continue to be able to keep similar pace or even out pace their older sister team Red Bull, they could be looking very handy for the constructors to move up the field and could be looking at a podium should Williams and Ferrari have any problems.

Another question people will be asking will Manor actually be running this weekend, surely after 2 weeks passing they'd have been able to fire up the 2014 Ferrari power unit in their modified 2014 car. Eyebrows will most likely be raised either way as if they do run then they've done what a lot of people deemed to be impossible, however on the authorised if they dont run, then it could start getting a bit embarrassing for Formula One having a team entered but not able to run.

Sauber’s shaky start off track to the season is now behind them with a settlement having been reached with van der Garde so they can now hopefully fully focus on the race weekend. The Swiss outfit have already scored points on the bored and with the 2015 Ferrari power unit planted behind them it could be a promising weekend for the 2014 back markers.

If Manor were to run this weekend, how would you rate their chances of scoring points? Can Ferrari close the gap to either of the Mercedes cars this weekend? Please leave your comments and predictions for the weekend!
 
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Good to see Ferrari back where they belong.

Max 7th and 8th, not bad for a newbie that has never raced here.
 
The grid looks a little more competitive at Sepang than it did in Melbourne, that race came a bit too early for most teams. Although the Merc still looks out in front and their long runs were very consistent, Ferrari at least seem to be making inroads into the advantage they have. RBR pace wise are back on it a bit although reliability could be a factor (again!). Much more encouraging for a decent race rather the snooze fest of Australia.
 
From the looks of it there will be a good and competitve race, if things go right a
Ferrari or Williams might even win.
 
  • Deleted member 161052

Well, Stevens didn't set a qualifying time and Merhi is under the 107% time...
 
  • Deleted member 161052

Q3 gets 15 minute delay, expected to start at 11:15 GMT+1
 
Why can't they start now? I understand it when it was raining at it worst, but its ben good for like 5-10minutes now... Or do they need sun to drive this years cars? I guess they will drive on intermediates soon...

Yeah, they are putting on intermediate tyres(some of them atleast) So what is the point in the wet tyres in F1?...
 
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It's quite funny to think that Alonso's qualifying time here in 2001 with Minardi is quicker than what he achieved today with McLaren.
Minardi / 2001 - 1:40.249
McLaren / 2015 - 1:41.746
 
Look at Vettel's time, that was close. I hope Ferrari will be competitive on the dry
track as well.
Have you actually seen what happened ? LH was on a second faster lap, and had to abort it due to Rosberg poor wet performance :)

Vettel will eat a 20-30 sec gap again on dry, his only chance is rain and still it's minimal.
 
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