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Malaysia GP build up thread


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#1 Exb

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 00:57

Formula 1 is back this weekend with circus setting up shop in Sepang, Malaysia. With a hot tropical climate will the teams and drivers be able to keep their cool or will tempers (and engines) reach boiling point with explosive consequences :).

The 2nd race of the 2014 F1 season is fast approaching (and as no-one else has started a thread I will give it a go although my lack of picture posting ability will make this a pretty poor effort on recent standards)

All the important session times:
Fri 28 March 2014 Local time / UK time
Practice 1 10:00 - 11:30 / 02.00 - 03.00
Practice 2 14:00 - 15:30 / 06.00 - 07.30
Sat 29 March 2014
Practice 3 13:00 - 14:00 / 05.00 - 06.00
Qualifying 16:00 / 08.00
Sun 30 March 2014
Race 16:00 / 09.00*

*note UK clocks go forward 01.00 Sun morning

Track guide:
http://www.formula1....l/malaysia_915/

TV coverage:
All sessions live on the BBC and Sky

Weather forecast - I will guess at Hot, humid with a chance of rain - but if you want the real forecast see:
http://www.meteoblue...uit-62022?day=5

Tyre information:
Hard and Medium are the selections for Malaysia

Circuit and race preparations:
https://www.facebook...=3&l=85b891b68f

Teams preview quotes:
http://www.formula1....14/3/15592.html

One of Mercedes home races so they seem to have been having some fun in the build up to the GP:
https://twitter.com/...426655519096832

Lots of unknowns going into this weekend, although the Australia GP gave a glimpse to the teams relative performance - Mercedes being the team to catch at the moment - a read of some of the threads over the past 2 weeks shows it offered more questions than answers. Can any team close the gap to Mercedes? Will Red Bull still be quick if they dial back the fuel flow to meet the FIA sensor's limits as opposed to their own? (will they risk further DQ if they believe the FIA sensors are still unreliable?) Will Ferrari be closer to the pace if they can run without electrical problems? (maybe caused in part by the FIA if certain rumours are to be believed). Will Lotus finally manage a race distance and see the chequered flag? Will Mercedes let their 2 drivers race if they are both 30 seconds clear of the field? How many more precious engine parts will be lost during the weekend, especially taking into account the tropical heat which will put them under greater stress than they have faced so far? Will the rookies and young drivers who impressed so much in Australia be able to carry their form on to Malaysia and outshine their more experienced team-mates once again?


(If anyone has or wants to do a better OP I can delete this, or maybe the mods can merge as there is definitely room for improvement here but I can't wait for the next GP and feel we are overdue a build up thread as its only 2 days until the cars hit the track :) )

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#2 Gilles4Ever

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 05:44

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#3 SophieB

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 06:50

When I look at that, I suddenly wish every race was like Monaco with the trophies just handed on some local real steps with real flags flying in the background. Well that's my story, thanks for reading it.

#4 Cool Beans

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 07:04

Is that a typo on the podium or do I need another cup of coffee?



#5 SB

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 07:09

Is that a typo on the podium or do I need another cup of coffee?

F1  "TM" you mean ?



#6 SB

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 07:12

In addition, it seems several pre/ post races celebration activities in KL are cancelled due to the MH370 incident.  :cry:



#7 Cool Beans

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 07:13

The "2014 F1 Champion awaits". Makes it sound like the 2014 champion is waiting to meet them behind the podium. Another cup of coffee it is.



#8 luckykun

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 07:16

I am going to attend Malaysia GP this weekend. Driving from Singapore to KL :clap: :clap: :clap: . Hope we have great race.



#9 Zava

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 07:45

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where are them stripes? :(



#10 BullHead

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 07:50

I expect a bigger drop out rate here than in Oz.



#11 Timstr11

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 07:53

 

where are them stripes? :(

 

Possibly alcohol advertising prohibited in Malaysia.



#12 Gilles4Ever

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 07:55

BjoukhVCcAEmc4h.jpg

where are them stripes? :(

Williams-Formel-1-GP-Malaysia-26-Maerz-2



#13 muramasa

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 07:57

hm so are that light blue and red parts stickers not paint then?



#14 Okyo

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 08:06

hm so are that light blue and red parts stickers not paint then?

Seems so. 
Williams-Formel-1-GP-Malaysia-26-Maerz-2



#15 Kristian

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 08:06

It would be quite nice if they held a minutes silence on the grid for MH370, though F1 being F1 I doubt that will happen. 



#16 Gilles4Ever

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 08:11

There are supposedly events and celebrations that were to take place before and after the race that have been cancelled because of MH370 so I am pretty sure there will be a minutes silence.



#17 kenkip

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 08:15

I wonder if the top three drivers will spray champagne?It would be nice if they had a subdued ceremony.



#18 MikeV1987

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 08:40

Merc power will be a big factor on those straights, looking forward to seeing what Bottas & Magnussen can pull off.



#19 SophieB

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 08:51

Adam Cooper@adamcooperF14 mins

The Thursday FIA press conf will feature Valtteri Bottas, Kamui Kobayashi, Daniil Kvyat, Pastor Maldonado, Kimi Raikkonen & Nico Rosberg



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#20 jjcale

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 09:03

I personally hope they will do as little as possible re the missing plane/passengers .... F1 claims when it goes to other places that they are just there to race and not comment on local conditions... they should be consistent.... Most folks say that they are just entertainment, so let them stick to that. 



#21 razno

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 09:04

It would be quite nice if they held a minutes silence on the grid for MH370, though F1 being F1 I doubt that will happen. 

 

Maybe its not appropriate, but there will be approx 1:30 h of "silence".....  :well:

 

I agree about minute of silence, it would be nice.



#22 KirilVarbanov

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 09:07

Something to fill in the reading gap between today and the news coming in tomorrow: http://f1framework.b...d-big-data.html



#23 CoolBreeze

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 09:22

There are supposedly events and celebrations that were to take place before and after the race that have been cancelled because of MH370 so I am pretty sure there will be a minutes silence.

 

Not all. Calvin Harris concert is still a go. In fact, most Malaysian just seem to move on with life as per normal. The plane 'crash' never crashed, it's still missing, as nothing has been found. 

 

Possibly alcohol advertising prohibited in Malaysia.

 

It's not prohibited. Tobacco advertising is more strict in Malaysia. 



#24 HoldenRT

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 10:40

Whoever decided to have an extra week break after such a long wait in the winter.. it helps the teams I guess, to bounce back after the first race and learn more going into the second but very frustrating.  First race was sort of like a tease.

 

On the plus side, the next two are back to back.  And after Bahrain there will be lots to talk about.  The shopping lists of excuses will be out in full force.

 

Have always loved Sepang, and how the cars flow through the circuit, especially the middle sector.  Our first look at the new cars through some proper fast corners and long straights.

 

Will be an interesting battle between Nico and Lewis, and also who will be best of the rest.



#25 HuddersfieldTerrier1986

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 13:16

In terms of MH370, and what jjcale said earlier re not commenting on local conditions, well this isn't really about local conditions, human rights, etc like we sometimes see getting mentioned, this is more a case of F1 referring to a current sad event that hasn't really got anything to do with anything that anyone is doing wrong or a risk to members of the F1 fraternity due to protests, violence etc (unlike Bahrain in recent years for example), and so no champagne spraying, minutes silence etc are fine in my book if they choose to do anything like that.

 

In terms of the race itself, I'm looking forward to it (subject to the race going the full distance and not being abandoned due to a storm, and I expect we'll see Mercedes win again with most of the other Mercedes teams doing well given their apparent engine advantage (especially with the 2 long straights in particular). RBR will, in my unexpert opinion be fighting for points but not podiums on Sunday, and I think Williams have a stonking chance of a podium. Ferrari, well, it's possible they could maybe possibly fight for a podium, but personally I doubt it unless other quicker cars drop out. Either way, hoping for a great race.



#26 Jovanotti

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 13:19

I'm still amazed by the decision to move the local starting time towards the evening. It just begs for red flags, delays and stoppages.



#27 DrF

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 13:48

I'm still amazed by the decision to move the local starting time towards the evening. It just begs for red flags, delays and stoppages.

Cooler conditions though?

I prefer an early start, less chance of me getting disturbed.

#28 Jovanotti

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 14:01

Cooler conditions though?

Not in this region:

 

8am: 25°

2pm: 34°

5pm: 33°

8pm: 30°



#29 Gilles4Ever

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 14:14

I'm still amazed by the decision to move the local starting time towards the evening. It just begs for red flags, delays and stoppages.

Same reason Australia is late (local time) - so the race is not too early for Europeans



#30 Andrew Hope

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 14:17

Why did they move the start time back? To make it easier on the cars/destroy excitement?



#31 Doughnut King

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 14:21

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#32 jrg19

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 14:22

It's like that every GP before it gets branded.

#33 Lotus53B

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 14:48

Thunderstorms predicted for race time...as usual.  Could be fun..to watch the cars sitting on the grid.

 

I think I'll watch Canada 2011 as a build up to the race :p



#34 HuddersfieldTerrier1986

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 15:04

Same reason Australia is late (local time) - so the race is not too early for Europeans

 

Otherwise known as "more viewers watching so more money Bernie can charge broadcasters". I used to love the season starting in Australia at around 3am!



#35 P123

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 15:34

Otherwise known as "more viewers watching so more money Bernie can charge broadcasters". I used to love the season starting in Australia at around 3am!

 

And that's otherwise known as "Ecclestone's and FOM managements admittance of failure to promote and grow the sport adequately in other markets resulting in a continued reliance on European audiences for the bulk of TV income".



#36 Gilles4Ever

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 15:49

Otherwise known as "more viewers watching so more money Bernie can charge broadcasters". I used to love the season starting in Australia at around 3am!

Agreed, it was a great start to the season with a pre-dawn race, duvet, coffee, toast and the notebook, was a good tradition. 



#37 Richard T

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 17:46

Why did they move the start time back? To make it easier on the cars/destroy excitement?


I'm asking the same question. If there is a monsoon like 2009 there is no way to restart it if it's too dark.

Bernie also want Aussie GP to be a night race, probably they aim to get the European viewing figures up for Asian races.

#38 HoldenRT

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 18:40

Same story every season for the last few years.. if the race gets cancelled due to storms they look foolish, but as long as it goes ahead.. they run the risk and do it again for another year.  Gilles4Ever nailed the reason as to why.



#39 SpaMaster

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 18:48

4 o' clock is a ridiculous time to start. Even 3:30 PM would be better. But the bigger risk is the chance of monsoon downpour in evenings in this part of the world. I am counting the days by which this guy would leave. How many issues and what a mess!



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#40 ollebompa

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 18:52

I absolutely love this track! If it stays another 10 years or so and get some heritage it'll soon become a classic.



#41 Tomecek

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 18:54

I am sure will be very interesting event :)



#42 FNG

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 19:41

I absolutely love this track! If it stays another 10 years or so and get some heritage it'll soon become a classic.

 

Couldn't agree more! People slam this track only because Tilke designed it. It's my favourite track next to Spa and Suzuka, I may even like it more than Suzuka!



#43 Tapz63

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 19:55

It's a good track all round I would say. It's wide and has some tricky corners. Always fun to play on the game as well.

I wonder if we see some form of team orders this weekend like last year. Hopefully they are disobeyed if there any.

#44 HuddersfieldTerrier1986

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 20:04

It might have been designed by Tilke, but it's certainly 1 of the better circuits he designed. 2 long straights (chance to overtake at the end of both), chance to overtake into turn 4, long sweeping corners, slow corners, inclines/declines, challenging corners, it's a cracking circuit in my view.



#45 Atreiu

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 20:19

Couldn't agree more! People slam this track only because Tilke designed it. It's my favourite track next to Spa and Suzuka, I may even like it more than Suzuka!

 

Travesty. ;)

 

I think it's too full of mid/slow corners. If it weren't for the weather throwing curve balls, I would't remember that much from the races. But it still is better than some other Tilke work.

 

Qualifying will be Mercedes-Red Bull 1 2 3 4.



#46 DutchQuicksilver

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 20:28

Same story every season for the last few years.. if the race gets cancelled due to storms they look foolish, but as long as it goes ahead.. they run the risk and do it again for another year.  Gilles4Ever nailed the reason as to why.

Cancelled race and half points would be fitting for F1 this season wouldn't it?



#47 P0inters

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 20:34

Same reason Australia is late (local time) - so the race is not too early for Europeans

...which I really don't understand. If they know their main fanbase is Europeans then why the hell are they trying to get rid of all the European tracks ? Surely the Arab money isn't as muchas they'd lose by leaving Europe. Nobody would attend and few would watch because of the boring as **** circuits.  :well:  Sorry for the OT post.

 

EDIT : Just seen some other posts and I'm face palming myself.  :blush:


Edited by P0inters, 26 March 2014 - 20:38.


#48 P0inters

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 20:37

Couldn't agree more! People slam this track only because Tilke designed it. It's my favourite track next to Spa and Suzuka, I may even like it more than Suzuka!

Really ? I don't really see anybody slam it. They either love it , or they find it pretty good.



#49 ConsiderAndGo

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 20:44

Easily one of the top 4 circuits of the calendar.

#50 TomNokoe

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Posted 26 March 2014 - 20:52

I wonder if turn 3 will become an actual corner under the new formula?