Malaysian Grand Prix Race Report

The opening race of the season was action pack, to say the least, with Malaysia being the next stop on the calendar for Round 2. The Sepang International Circuit hosts the Malaysian Grand Prix in the hot and humid conditions famous around this circuit.

The twists and turns of the Sepang track make it one of the most challenging tracks for tyres and cars, let alone the drivers in the searing 50 degree heat of the cockpit. After the success of Mclaren in the Australian Grand Prix, with Button 1^st and Hamilton 3^rd, they will be looking forward and confident of another successful weekend. After the drag race for the final points in Melbourne the midfield pack is sure to be close and qualifying will prove to be enormously interesting. 

Here is my report of all the F1 action at the Sepang circuit, covering all the practice sessions, qualifying and the race. Also tweet me during the race @JackLeslieF1, I will be tweeting throughout.

Free Practice 1

Mclaren got the first practice in Malaysia underway with a positive start, with Lewis Hamilton topping the times with a 1m38.028. His time was a whole half a second faster than 2010 and 2011 world champion Sebastian Vettel. The teams concentrated on long runs on the hard and medium tyre with Mclaren and Mercedes looking very competitive. Jenson Button’s 9^th place finish in FP1 may have hid the Mclaren’s speed but he was in the garage for some time with an oil leak.

The 2 Mercedes cars of Rosberg and Schumacher followed ahead of Grosjean and Webber, all within the 1 second mark.  Raikkonen, Di Resta and Hulkenberg filled out the top 10 along with Button. Both Ferrari’s did struggle; Massa in 13^th, despite a new chassis, and Alonso in 15^th. At the back HRT and Marussia hoped to gain a significant amount of running but HRT lost Karthikeyan early on with a mechanical failure.  The Green track meant a number of off track excursions were seen, but the forgiving run off area at the Sepang circuit saved their days.

Free Practice 2

Having topped the time sheets in the 1^st session, it was Hamilton who again went to the top. His time of 1m38.172 was 3 tenths faster than Michael Schumacher in 2^nd, with Button in 3^rd just 0.0002 seconds back after recovering from the 1^st sessions oil leak. Both Toro Rosso’s looked fast in 5^th and 7^th for Ricciardo and Vergne, with the Red Bull cars of Webber and Vettel in 7^th and 10^th. Behind Webber finished Alonso who found some speed in the second practice session, while Massa still struggled in 16^th. 

The track was still green and the long runs meant tyre wear was causing incidents. A number of spins, including big ones for Paul Di Resta, and off track excursions, twice for Hamilton, were evidence that they were pushing hard. The HRT car’s lapped inside the 107% rule for the first time but both drivers experienced spins and off’s. Other problems within the team’s saw Kamui Kobayashi lose track time thanks to a gearbox problem while Raikkonen changed his gearbox after FP2, giving him a 5 place penalty for qualifying.

Free Practice 3

For the first time in Sepang, it was not a Mclaren at the front. However the similarly powered Mercedes W03 of Nico Rosberg took the reins, to experience topping the times. His fastest time was the first into the 1m36’s  with a 1m36.877.That placed him 4 tenths ahead of Sebastian Vettel, with his team mate Mark Webber coming 3^rd in the hour long session.

Humidity was the main problem and driver’s showed their urgency for cooling and hydration. As soon as they got out of the car they were drinking fluids and standing in front of fans. Time topping driver from Friday, Lewis Hamilton, finished the session 9^th after setting just 8 lap times. He had a big moment at turn 14 and retired to the pits before he, and many others, emerged for some fast laps on low fuel at the end of the session. Rain had fallen just before the green light went out in the pit lane, leaving little running within the first 20 minutes of the session. At flag fall Rosberg held off from Vettel, Webber, Raikkonen, Grosjean and Button. Rounding out the top 10 finished Maldonado in the Williams FW34, Rosberg’s team mate Schumacher, Hamilton and Kobayashi. The Ferrari’s had another difficult session with Alonso 13^th after completing 17 laps, Massa could only manage 18^th despite being pleased with his new chassis.

Qualifying

Melbourne saw one of the most dramatic qualifying sessions for some time, with the midfield close and the front being so unpredictable. In the searing heat and humidity of the Sepang International circuit, it looks like we could well see a repeat. The wide and twisting track is renowned for its close racing and we could well see a few surprises in Qualifying.

Qualifying 1

The first qualifying session of the Malaysian GP saw the usual suspects in the drop zone. Both HRT’s managed to make the 107% rule so will race tomorrow, with De La Rosa in 23^rd and Karthikeyan in 24^th. Charles Pic qualified for the race 22^nd with his team mate Timo Glock 21^st in the Marussia, around a second slower than the cars in front. Those cars were the Caterham’s of Petrov and Kovalainen. But, Heikki received a penalty in Australia for overtaking a car in the Safety Car period so will move back to 24^th. The surprise of Q1 was Jean-Eric Vergne in the Toro Rosso, not where they wanted to start the race from as a team.

Mark Webber had a brief scare in 16^th but soon topped the times and stayed there for the rest of the session. Massa also found himself in the drop zone early on but managed to move up to 16^th. The Mclaren and Mercedes cars also looked strong at the top of the times.

Qualifying 2

(c) Octane Photographic

This is where it heats up, even more in Malaysia. Kimi Raikkonen put his Lotus E20 at the top of the time’s, and into Q3. The Iceman has a 5 place penalty so needed to proceed to the last qualifying session, after he was out in Q1 last time out in Australia. He beat Button, the Mercedes and Hamilton in the top 5.

Out in the drop zone finished Maldonado, Massa in his Ferrari, Senna, Di Resta, Ricciardo, Hulkenberg and Kobayashi. A high contrast to the Japanese driver’s team mate Perez who progressed into Q3. Maldonado just missed the 10 minute session and had a big moment at turn 10, going way off track. The midfield was extremely close and it was anyone’s game.

Qualifying 3

The last session in qualifying is almost the most dramatic as Saturday builds to a climax. In the top 10 are both Mclaren's, Red Bull's, Mercedes, Lotus's and 1 Sauber and Ferrari each. After the first runs Hamilton topped the time's, with Schumacher just 2 tenths back. Button, Rosberg and Raikkonen followed closely with Webber, Grosjean and Vettel behind.

As the session build to a crescendo the last few minutes saw Perez and Alonso complete their sole laps, just like Rosberg. The rest did 2nd runs and that meant changes to the order. As the chequered flag drops cars complete their last runs. First to cross the line from is Alonso who moves to 9th with his sole run. Webber moves up to 3rd with Raikkonen closely behind going 4th behind Webber, with his 5 place drop he will be further down. Vettel goes just 6th with Button going 2nd. Then Grosjean finished 7th which changes the order dramatically.

Hamilton did not even need to finish his lap. It is a 1-2 on the grid for Mclaren ahead of Schumacher and Webber. Interestingly Vettel was the only person in the top 10 to set his best time on the harder tyres.
Pos   Driver                     Team                       Time             Gap
1.  Lewis Hamilton        McLaren-Mercedes     1m36.219s   + 0.149
2.  Jenson Button         McLaren-Mercedes     1m36.368s   + 0.172
3.  Michael Schumacher    Mercedes             1m36.391s   + 0.242
4.  Mark Webber           Red Bull-Renault     1m36.461s   + 0.415
5.  Kimi Raikkonen*        Lotus-Renault        1m36.461s   + 0.439
6.  Sebastian Vettel      Red Bull-Renault     1m36.634s   + 0.445
7.  Romain Grosjean       Lotus-Renault        1m36.658s   + 1.347
8.  Nico Rosberg          Mercedes             1m36.664s   + 1.479
9.  Fernando Alonso       Ferrari              1m37.566s   + 0.242
10.  Sergio Perez          Sauber-Ferrari       1m37.698s   + 1.370
Q2 cut-off time: 1m37.477s Gap **
11.  Pastor Maldonado      Williams-Renault     1m37.589s   + 0.874
12.  Felipe Massa          Ferrari              1m37.731s   + 1.016
13.  Bruno Senna           Williams-Renault     1m37.841s   + 1.126
14.  Paul di Resta         Force India-Mercedes 1m37.877s   + 1.162
15.  Daniel Ricciardo      Toro Rosso-Ferrari   1m37.883s   + 1.168
16.  Nico Hulkenberg       Force India-Mercedes 1m37.890s   + 1.175
17.  Kamui Kobayashi       Sauber-Ferrari       1m38.069s   + 1.354
Q1 cut-off time: 1m38.437s Gap *
18.  Jean-Eric Vergne      Toro Rosso-Ferrari   1m39.077s   + 1.905
19.  Heikki Kovalainen*     Caterham-Renault     1m39.306s   + 2.134
20.  Vitaly Petrov         Caterham-Renault     1m39.567s   + 2.395
21.  Timo Glock            Marussia-Cosworth    1m40.903s   + 3.731
22.  Charles Pic           Marussia-Cosworth    1m41.250s   + 4.078
23.  Pedro de la Rosa      HRT-Cosworth         1m42.914s   + 5.742
24.  Narain Karthikeyan    HRT-Cosworth         1m43.655s   + 6.483

* 5 place grid penalties

The Race

The searing heat of Malaysia always makes it a tough race mentally and physically, with unpredictable weather. The risk of rain could be likely for the race and that would throw a spanner into the mix.

Lewis Hamilton took pole position, with an interesting grid. It is a long slog to the first corner so good top speed and traction is key for that off the line moment. Who can capitalise on the start and bunched up first corner? We will have to see till the lights go out.

Rain was settling on track, but not enough to start on wets. It was a tricky decision, whether to delay the start and what tyres to race on. Finally though, it was decided after more rain fell that intermediates would be the best option and the race was underway in the normal style. The engine notes rise, anticipation builds. It can only mean lights out in Malaysia.

As the car’s pull away from the grid, it’s the Mclaren’s who make equal starts. Grosjean gets up to 3^rd but Webber and Schumacher soon overtake. Schumacher then spins on the exit of turn 4, tricky conditions with rain heavier at certain parts of the race. Senna then spins with drivers struggling for grip, its all go in Malaysia. The rain level differing heavily throughout the circuit with it heavier at the start than the end of the lap.

By the end of lap 1 its Hamilton from Button, Webber, Vettel, Alonso, Rosberg and Maldonado. Some drivers take to the pits for wets and Grosjean, with his mega start, falls back. Kovalainen also capitalises and is up to 15^th. Replays show Grosjean and Schumacher touched, dropping them both down the field.

The pit lane is busy by lap 3 but the decision to pit is vital. Rain is not predicted for long so is it worth pitting? Massa thinks so and drops back, as does a Marussia. The yellow flags are out by lap 4 with Grosjean in the gravel at turn 6, he said “I just couldn’t drive it” with his Intermediate tyres. Maybe the wets are best after all? Mclaren come out into the pit lane, as do Ferrari, with Button pitting first for wets. Hamilton stays out but different strategies are showing but who gets it right is unclear as yet.

Hamilton takes to the pits at the next lap, complaining of Aquaplaning. Webber follows suit, as does Rosberg. Hamilton comes out just ahead of team mate Button on warmer tyres, Jenson the more confident of the two. What a race and it’s just lap 6.

Shock of the lot is Perez. Despite an off track discursion Perez, who pitted for wets on lap 1, was up to 3^rd. The safety car is out on lap 7 now for the heavy rain, Button saying “the last sector is like a lake”. The Rain is falling heavily with forks of dramatic lighting causing havoc for fans and the TV stations.

After a good few laps behind the Safety Car the red flag comes out on lap 9. Cars were covered by Gazebo’s and the drivers took time to rest and wait to see if the rain will let up.

After the red flag it is confirmed the race will be restarted behind the safety car after around 50 minutes of red flag.

The Safety car led the cars away after a long break. Light rain was falling so it was prime time to clear the track of the water. Due to the earlier time the rain came, it is still hot and humid meaning rain could clear quickly.

By lap 12 the drivers say it is dry enough to race, with the water evaporating and clearing rapidly. Radio messages from numerous drivers’s asking to pit for inters.

The Safety Car comes in at the end of lap 13, and it is go, go, go for the 2^nd time. Car’s flood into the pits with Hamilton taking the risk to stay out, with Perez 2^nd and Webber battling with Alonso for 3^rd. Webber loses out to Vettel at turn 4 but he gets the place back around the outside at turn 5. At the next opportunity Hamilton, Alonso and Webber all pit. Hamilton had to pause in the pits and loses out to Alonso and Button, who also loses out to the Ferrari. Perez leads the race as they go into lap 15. They battle through the slower cars which is bad for Button after he loses his wing against the back of a HRT.

The next lap Perez and Vettel pit with the Mexican effectively leading the race until Alonso gets past. Button loses a lot of time in the pits for repairs with car’s moving around the order consistently. They move on to lap 19 with Alonso still leading and Button moving through the pack, setting the fastest lap. Perez and Hamilton are keeping up with the Ferrari with the midfield pack battling for position. DRS is enabled on lap 20 which gives the teams a tool to pass the cars ahead. Vettel takes Rosberg for 4^th at turn 1 on lap 23 as Button reports he is struggling with the tyres. Could Rosberg be having the same fate? This time Raikkonen takes the Mercedes on the next lap, car’s starting to struggle as it is too wet for dries.

Out front Alonso extends his lead as Button pits for Intermediates on lap 25. Now Webber takes Rosberg for 6^th at turn 5, a great move by the feisty Aussie. Another man on the move is Bruno Senna as the Williams FW34 showing good pace, moving up to 10^th. Rosberg decided his Inters were not good enough and pitted on lap 27.

By lap 32 the fastest laps are coming in from all over the field. Perez is slowly catching Alonso while Hamilton tries to keep up. The midfield charge has also quietened down as the cars wait for rain which is forecast to arrive.

Reforwards to lap 40 and Perez is just 1.5 seconds behind Alonso. The time for dries has come and Ricciardo and Webber are the first to take them on. Even with the expected rain the dry tyres are being taken, with Hamilton and the rest filing in again. With the stops neutralising, its Alonso still in the lead, from Perez, Hamilton, Vettel, Webber, Raikkonen and Di Resta. Button’s progress halts to 16^th as he struggles to keep up with the rivals ahead.

With lap 48 fast approaching Perez closes in on Alonso as Vettel pits for a puncture to the left rear tyre. He got that puncture after moving across a HRT as he lapped him. Perez, goes wide at turn 14 on lap 50, just as Sauber tell him to try and keep his position. That could of cost him the win. Just 2 laps from the end its Maldonado who retires with smoke coming from his car.

Fernando Alonso wins the Malaysian Grand Prix

So after rain, red flag, safety car periods and a drying track Alonso takes the win. After all the problems in testing and a slow car in Australia, Fernando crosses the line just ahead of Sergio Perez. Perez put up a really good fight and benefited from changing to wets early on, but a rookie error as the race came to a close halted his charge.

After leading the opening part of the race, Hamilton lost out in the pit stops and never looked like challenging. Behind him is Webber in the Red Bull, beating his team mate after he was told to retire, then stay out and then retire again. Raikkonen takes 5^th, a great result for the Finn who enjoyed an ice cream treat last time he raced her in Sepang.

Senna took 6^th for Williams, scoring more points in 1 race than the team did all of last year. Di Resta and Vergne followed him across the line and scored valuable points. Hulkenberg and Schumacher rounded out the points.

Just outside the points is Vettel, who did stay out in the end, Ricciardo, Rosberg and Button. The Brit failed to progress after hitting Karthikeyan early on. Massa, Petrov, Glock and Kovalainen followed with Maldonado 19^th but retiring. Pic and the 2 HRT’s finished the race. Kobayashi and Grosjean were the only non-finishers.

Classified:

Pos   Driver     Team             Time
1.  Alonso        Ferrari                    2h44:51.812
2.  Perez         Sauber-Ferrari             +     2.263
3.  Hamilton      McLaren-Mercedes           +    14.591
4.  Webber        Red Bull-Renault           +    17.688
5.  Raikkonen     Lotus-Renault              +    29.456
6.  Senna         Williams-Renault           +    37.667
7.  Di Resta      Force India-Mercedes       +    44.412
8.  Vergne        Toro Rosso-Ferrari         +    46.985
9.  Hulkenberg    Force India-Mercedes       +    47.892
10.  Schumacher    Mercedes                   +    49.996
11.  Vettel        Red Bull-Renault           +  1:15.527
12.  Ricciardo     Toro Rosso-Ferrari         +  1:16.800
13.  Rosberg       Mercedes                   +  1:18.500
14.  Button        McLaren-Mercedes           +  1:19.700
15.  Massa         Ferrari                    +  1:39.300
16.  Petrov        Caterham-Renault           +     1 lap
17.  Glock         Marussia-Cosworth          +     1 lap
18.  Kovalainen    Caterham-Renault           +     1 lap
19.  Maldonado     Williams-Renault           +    2 laps
20.  Pic           Marussia-Cosworth          +    2 laps
21.  Karthikeyan   HRT-Cosworth               +    2 laps
22.  Di Resta      Force India-Mercedes       +    2 laps

Fastest lap: Raikkonen, 1:40.722

Not classified/retirements: Driver Team On lap
Kobayashi     Sauber-Ferrari               47
Grosjean      Lotus-Renault                4