23/03/2008
NEWS STORY
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With an hour to go before the start of the 2008 Malaysia Grand Prix it is bright and sunny. However, we know from experience that the weather can change very quickly out here, and usually does.
As ever, fuel and tyre strategies have us all second-guessing, however, the other big question is will it rain?
First off though, in case you are not aware - which mean you haven't been checking Pitpass on a regular enough basis - Kovalainen and Hamilton have both been demoted five places on the grid having been adjudged to have impeded Heidfeld and Alonso on the their final qualifying laps yesterday.
The McLaren duo, having completed their final times were slowly coasting back to the pits, when they were clearly seen to be on the racing line at a time when the BMW and the Renault were on fast laps.
Watching the incident at the time, and several times since, we were reminded of Zolder 1982, and the horrific accident in which Gilles Villeneuve, on a flying lap, collided with Jochen Mass, who was cruising back to the pits in similar style to the two McLarens yesterday.
We are not pointing the finger at either of the McLaren drivers, but we do feel the qualifying rules in order that incidents such as this do not happen. On the same theme, we are concerned that the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA), which was extremely vocal over the Melbourne weekend, especially over Lewis Hamilton's failure to join, has remained quiet over this incident. May we respectfully remind the GPDA and Max Mosley that drivers aren't only vulnerable during races, over the years we have seen accidents, some of them fatal, in testing, practice and qualifying.
OK, so ignoring the weather, let's look at the form book for today's race.
The Ferraris look good, but we mustn't forget the reliability issues in Melbourne. Of the two, it is thought that Massa is running lighter, which will favour Raikkonen. Then again, Massa, who here last year, has been looking sharp for most of the weekend, especially after his Melbourne disaster.
The McLarens have been moved back to eighth and ninth, but only an idiot would rule them out. That said, Hamilton hasn't been looking consistently confident this weekend, which leads us to believe that Kovalainen could be the man to watch here.
BMW is getting on with it with typical German efficiency, and if anyone can take advantage of the McLaren duo's punishment it is the ever-improving Munich team. Heidfeld and Kubica both look sharp, however, we still have doubts as to some of the German outfit's strategic decisions.
No offence to Jarno Trulli or Toyota, but when we see the Italian on the grid - even with McLaren's demotion, the word 'fluke' comes to mind. Yes, the Cologne based outfit is showing signs of improvement, but we know from experience that Jarno can often pull these one-off banzai laps out of the hat. We also know that whenever he qualifies so far up the front of the grid he usually become a mobile chicane for the remainder of the afternoon, at least until the first round of pit stops.
While we don't expect Alonso to be challenging for a win, we do think Renault could get both cars into the points, especially since Piquet appears to have put his Melbourne performance behind him.
Reliability continues to be an issue for Red Bull, and therefore, as much as we feel they can be competitive and could take some points, we feel that it is going to be much later in the season before the Milton Keynes team begins to shine.
A disappointing weekend thus far for Williams, and at this point we can see any reason why things should change today. The British team will be looking forward to the end of the flyaway races and the opportunity to get down to some serious testing.
Honda has admitted that it is hoping for rain, and we cannot help but feel that there are several other teams and drivers feeling the same way. Jenson Button makes no excuses, the performance yesterday was the best we can expect at this stage.
Bourdais has had an engine change to his Toro Rosso but escapes punishment having played his 'get out of jail' card. While we don't expect anything major from the Faenza outfit this weekend, we will continue to watch the Frenchman and his highly promising teammate, Sebastian Vettel.
If the heavens were to open, we wouldn't be surprised to see Fisichella take a point or two, however, other than that, we don't expect much from the Force Indias or Super Aguris this afternoon.
So, summing up, as ever at Sepang, the outcome of the Malaysia Grand Prix depends very much on whether the heavens let rip, in which case it will become a free-for-all.
The track here is much wider than at Albert Park so we don't expect the same number of incidents or safety cars. That said, we know how 'enthusiastic' these boys can be.
A little bit of late news is that David Coulthard missed the drivers' parade, claiming to be unwell with a headache. A headache! However, there is no indication of him missing the race.
As the field prepares to head off on the warm-up lap, the air temperature is 30 degrees and the track temperature is 43 degrees. Humidity is 71% and the Race Stewards are warning of a 20% chance of rain within the next twenty minutes.
For the benefit of some kind of clarity, when we refer to softy tyres this afternoon, we mean the medium compound, while the harder option is - surprise, surprise - the hard option. That said, for much of the weekend, thus far, there has been little difference in the performance.
Trulli and Heidfeld are the most noticeable front-runners with the softer tyre compound, the rest appear to have gone for the hard. That said, Kovalainen, Hamilton, Glock, Button, Piquet, Coulthard and a few others have the softs also.
They're away and the Ferraris go head to head, Raikkonen takes the lead but Massa snatches it straight back. Further back there are a couple of minor incidents but nothing major, other than Bourdais going odd into the gravel trap. Where he stays.
At the end of lap 1, it's Massa, Raikkonen, Kubica, Webber, Hamilton, Trulli, Kovalainen, Coulthard, Alonso and Heidfeld. Glock is heading back to the pits in need of a front wing, while Bourdais is out. The replay shows a brilliant start from Hamilton as he goes around the outside at Turn 1.
Rosberg has also pitted, since it was he who collided with Glock, who appears to have retired from the race.
At the ends of lap 2, Massa leads his Ferrari teammate by 1.1s, with Hamilton all over Webber. Further back, Coulthard is under pressure from Alonso and Heidfeld, who had problems at the start. On the other hand, Sutil and Nakajima had great starts and are running fourteenth and fifteenth.
Alonso is really sticking it to Coulthard, but the wily old Scot is having none of it. All the while, Heidfeld keeps a watching eye.
Unfortunately for DC, Alonso has the pace and the Spaniard is able to slingshot past the Red Bull, as is Heidfeld, as the two go either side of the F1 veteran. Somehow, the German ends up ahead of the Renault driver, brilliant stuff!
After 6 laps, Trulli is right on Hamilton's tail, while Piquet is shadowing Button. Vettel has Nakajima climbing all over him, while Fisichella is on Barrichello's tail.
Nakajima makes short work of Vettel, out-braking him into the first corner. Meanwhile, Sutil becomes the third retirement of the afternoon.
After 7 laps, Massa leads Raikkonen by 1.4s as the Finn posts a new fastest lap (36.707). Kubica second, ahead of Webber, Hamilton, Trulli, Kovalainen, Heidfeld, Alonso and Coulthard.
Hamilton is now running 15.2s behind the leader, lapping almost a second slower than the two Ferraris as Massa posts a new fastest lap (36.263). Elsewhere, Nakajima is now all over Piquet, while Fisichella continues to hound Barrichello.
On the pit-wall, Briatore looks thoroughly peed off, and so he should do, Alonso is now running 10s behind Heidfeld. Kubica is having a lonely afternoon, 9.3s behind Raikkonen but 7.6s ahead of Webber. Mind you, poor old Nico Rosberg is running at the very back of the field, 30s adrift of Davidson.
On lap 14, Raikkonen posts another fastest lap (35.871) as he builds a 10.2s cushion over Kubica. The Ferrari really performing well on the hard compound.
On lap 16, the Ferraris lap Rosberg, as Hamilton appears to be suffering with his (soft) tyres, particularly the left-front. Sure enough, the Englishman tells his crew that though balance is good he wants a little more front wing at his pit stop.
At the end of lap 16, Webber pits, which releases Hamilton. 9.8s later, having entered the pits in style, using every inch of the entrance, the Australian is heading back into the fray. Nakajima also pitted.
At the end of lap 17, Massa pits, as Raikkonen posts another fastest lap (35.679). Thing is, how many more laps can the Finn go? Heidfeld and Trulli also pit.
Raikkonen goes quickest into the first two sectors, before diving into the pits. He rejoins behind Kovalainen but ahead of Massa. Jean Todt watches impassively from the Ferrari garage.
Therefore, after 19 laps, Kubica leads, as Hamilton dives into the pits. There are major problems for the Englishman as his crew have difficulty removing the right-front, he loses heaps of time, almost 15s, rejoining behind Webber. Next time around, teammate Kovalainen stops. While Hamilton had another set of softs fitted, Kovalainen goes for hards. Fisichella and Davidson also pit.
At the end of lap 20, race leader Kubica pits, which promoted Raikkonen in to the lead ahead of Massa. Alonso, who has yet to stop, now third, ahead of Coulthard, Button and Kovalainen.
Hamilton is all over Webber, but the McLaren is still clearly struggling, indeed, he is now under pressure from Heidfeld.
Alonso pits at the end of lap 22, as does Button. The Spaniard rejoins ahead of Barrichello, who almost collects the Renault on the front of his Honda. Further back, Rosberg passes Sato to take seventeenth.
At the end of lap 23, Coulthard finally pits, other than Piquet and Vettel, one of the last drivers to do so.
Lap 24 sees Raikkonen leading Massa by by 4.1s, with Kubica third, albeit 11.6s down the road, with Kovalainen fourth ahead of Trulli, Webber, Hamilton and Heidfeld. Vettel and Barrichello finally pit.
Trulli is having a great race, and is now attacking Kovalainen, safe in the knowledge that he is 9.3s clear of sixth-placed Webber.
Behind the leading ten, it's Button in eleventh, ahead of Piquet, Nakajima, Vettel, Barrichello, Fisichella, Rosberg, Sato and Davidson.
Renault seem to know something we don't, "you're looking good mate," they tell Alonso, who is running ninth, 52s behind the race leader.
A replay shows Sato have a little 'wobble' before going wide. He gets back on the 'black stuff' and continues, albeit in last place. Elsewhere, Hamilton gets all out of shape and loses ground to Webber, just what he doesn't need, especially with Raikkonen 50s up the road.
At the end of lap 30, Nakajima and Rosberg both pit, keeping the Williams crew on its toes.
Disaster for Massa, who spins off between Turns 7 and 8 on lap 31, and is left beached, his race over. He seemed to have it all under control when the back just snapped out. Another man rueing the passing of traction control.
Therefore, Raikkonen now leads Kubica by 22.3s, with Kovalainen third but with Trulli breathing down his neck. Webber is fifth, with Hamilton sixth, ahead of Heidfeld, Alonso, Coulthard and Button.
"What's the gap to Alonso," asks Webber, "I'm not worried about Hamilton or Heidfeld," clearly knowing that the end result, as far as the McLaren and BMW is concerned, is inevitable. In fact, the gap to Alonso at this stage is 7s.
Elsewhere, Massa admits to reporters that he doesn't know what happened, only that he lose the back of the car, but that he has no idea why.
With 20 laps remaining, Raikkonen leads Kubica by 23.1, with Kovalainen third, a further 18.6s down the road, ahead of Trulli, Webber, Hamilton, Heidfeld, Alonso, Coulthard and Button.
Even though there is no obvious pressure, Raikkonen posts a new fastest lap, crossing the line at 35.405. Meanwhile, Trulli loses a little ground to Kovalainen.
At the end of lap 37, Raikkonen pits. 8.5s later he's heading down the pitlane, now fitted with softs, rejoining behind Kubica, who now leads. All this is watched by McLaren CEO Martin Whitmarsh, whose best hope, at this time, rests with Kovalainen.
At the end of lap 39, Webber pits, rejoining in eleventh just 7.5s later. Barrichello also pits. Trulli and Davidson pit next time around.
It's all over for Vettel, whose Ferrari engine gives up the ghost. The German wastes no time in parking his Toro Rosso.
At the end of lap 41, Heidfeld pits, as does Alonso, setting up the prospect of a good battle in the closing stages of the race. This promoted Hamilton to fourth, but like Kovalainen, the Englishman still has to stop.
On lap 42, Kubica and Raikkonen post matching times, both crossing the line at 36.579. Next time around, the Pole stops, handing the lead back to Raikkonen. 6.5s later the BMW driver rejoins in third, splitting the McLarens. Button has also pitted.
At the end of lap 44, Hamilton pits. This time around it goes fairly well, allowing the McLaren driver to rejoin in fifth ahead of Heidfeld. Coulthard also stops. Next time around, Kovalainen pits, for softs, rejoining in third 7.2s later.
With all the stops out of the way, Raikkonen leads Kubica by 16.1s, with Kovalainen third, ahead of Trulli, Hamilton, Heidfeld, Webber, Alonso, Coulthard and Button.
At 36.090, Hamilton is the quickest man on track, but with a 14s deficit to Kovalainen, not to mention the whole job of passing him, and Trulli, it is unlikely that the World Championship leader will score a podium.
Webber and Alonso separated by just 1.4s as they scrap for seventh. Hamilton dips into the 1:35s as he closes to within 5.2s of Trulli.
Having lost ground to Hamilton, Heidfeld finally ups his pace, posting a personal best of the race.
Trulli is warned that Hamilton is closing in, as the Italian loses a further 0.8s to the McLaren driver. Next time around however, the Italian only gives away 0.3s.
Hamilton goes quickest in the first sector, as Trulli posts his personal best time of the race. Meanwhile, Alonso continues to push Webber all the way.
Trulli really has upped his game, he clearly has no intention of giving up such hard fought points. And why should he?
Out front, Raikkonen is still running in the 1:35s, as he extends his lead over Kubica to 22.2s. Kovalainen is now 40.7s behind the Ferrari.
Another personal best from Trulli, but the McLaren has closed to within 1.7s, such is the difference between the Toyota and the McLaren. Elsewhere, Webber is now 1.4s clear of Alonso, who appears to be affected by the Australian's 'dirty air'.
As Trulli and Hamilton begin the final lap they are 0.6s apart, as Heidfeld posts the fastest lap of the race (35.366).
Raikkonen takes the flag, with Robert Kubica taking a fine second. Heikki Kovalainen takes a convincing third while Trulli takes a magnificent fourth, ahead of Hamilton.
Heidfeld finishes sixth, while Webber holds off Alonso, much to Renault's embarrassment.
Although Coulthard misses out on the points, the fact that both Red Bull have finished will be a great confidence boost for the Milton Keynes outfit. Similarly, Honda has good reason to be pleased with Button's tenth place.
On the podium Kimi is smiling, and why shouldn't he. However, we are certain that the talk in the Maranello outfit's garage tonight won't be about the Finn's performance but that of his teammate.
A fantastic performance from BMW, and in particular Robert Kubica - along with Vettel a Pitpass favourite - while McLaren, though delighted with Kovalainen's performance, will rue that first pit stop of Hamilton's not to mention their tyre strategy.
Then again, if the Woking duo had paid a little more attention during the final moments of qualifying…
Though there was little real drama today, it wasn't actually a bad race, with the promise of plenty more to come.
Nobody wants to see any team or driver romp into the distance winning race after race. What really matters today isn't the fact that Raikkonen has shown that Ferrari can take the battle to McLaren but that other teams, BMW, Toyota, Red Bull, Renault, Honda and Williams - once they get it back together - can score points without having to rely on the misfortune of others.
And that's got to be good.