135 replies to this topic

[Marklar]

The Sepang International Circuit, shining this year in new spleandour.

 

To be honest I prefer to keep tracks like they are. You know, character and stuff, but well, they need new surface once in a while....

 

They also reprofiled the last corner and a few other track changes are explained in this nice video

 

 

Generally, after all, the track layout remains unchanged though

 

The track changes also included better drainage, and this could be important this year as rain is forecasted for the whole weekend, but as you know weather forecasts are useless and if it rains in Malaysia, it really rains.

 

 

In case it stays dry, Pirelli ordered for this ocassion the hardest tyres and both mandatory tyres are the hardest tyre, which means that everyone will be forced to run this tyre in the race

 

 

So, what happened last year?

After an early SC Sebastian Vettel went to win - in his just second race for the Scuderia - the race as surprisingly both Mercedes drivers pitted and committed to an 3 stop strategy, while Vettel endured the race on 2 stops. It was probably the first time that Mercedes was genuinely beaten in the hybrid era, which gave us an promising start into the season after Mercedes dominated the opening round in Melbourne. But as it later turned out it remained just one of the few season highlights.

 

 

The situation ahead of this weekend....

In Singapore two weeks (actually one week) ago Nico Rosberg regained with an stunning performance the championship lead over team mate Lewis Hamilton, who seemed to be off the whole weekend. However, like in the previous races, his weekend wasn't troublefree. So all to play for, now heading into the decisive weeks of the championship. Malaysia will be the starting point of overall four races in the october, before the season will be concluded in Brazil and Abu Dhabi.

Meanwhile Ferrari is stil aiming for the first win of the season, same as Ricciardo, who finished in 3 of the last 4 races one place off the winning spot. The fight between Force India and Williams is on, after the former didnt gained as many points in Singapore as expected. McLaren is expected to use its final engine upgrade this weekend, which would result into an back row start ahead of their home race in Suzuka next week.

 

But, the most important question of the weekend: Are we are going to see more unbidden guests on track?

 

[Radion]

No dip in turn 2?

How am I going to enjoy my nachos? 

[midgrid]

I wonder if the resurfacing will result in new track records, as at Interlagos?

[Anja]

I'm gonna miss that dip, but still a great circuit. And would you look at all this glorious gravel. 

Edited by Anja, 26 September 2016 - 20:23.

[OvDrone]

Wait a minute... is it March/April?

[senna da silva]

I'm curious as to whether or not the new surface will offer more grip? In hot climates new asphalt can sometimes leech oils.

[P123]

No dip at T2... So they're even sanitising Tilke tracks now.

Hopefully their drainage works pay off, but given the intensity of rain that usually falls on Sepang and F1's reluctance to run in anything that requires full wets I suspect they may have wasted their money.

[muramasa]

　

seriously, look at how that serious lizard crosses the road

[Marklar]

Forgot to add that Mercedes will wrap up the WCC this weekend if Red Bull is not gaining more than 7 pts and Ferrari not more than 22 pts on them...with 5 races to go...

[taz]

Fastest laps year by year:

 

1999 Schumacher 1.39.688
2000 Schumacher 1.37.297
2001 Schumacher 1.35.220
2002 Schumacher 1.35.266
2003 Schumacher 1.34.980 (Q1)
2004 Schumacher 1.33.074
2005 Alonso 1.32.582 (Q1)
2006 Button 1.33.527 (Q2)
2007 Alonso 1.34.057 (Q2)
2008 Raikkonen 1.34.188 (Q2)
2009 Button 1.33.784 (Q2)
2010 Webber 1.33.542 (FP3)
2011 Vettel 1.34.870 (Q3)
2012 Hamilton 1.36.219 (Q3)
2013 Rosberg 1.36.190 (Q3)
2014 Rosberg 1.39.008 (FP3)
2015 Hamilton 1.39.269 (Q1)
 

We haven't got a lot of dry runs in qualify in recent years..

But if it stays dry in qualify it's going to go a lot faster this year: soft tyres + small layout modifications and asphalt

[muramasa]

It takes something incredible for Mercedes WCC at Sepang to not happen

I mean like Barcelona

[myattitude]

Looks like the pit entry is wider out the hairpin.

[EvilPhil II]

A shame they have removed some of the circuits character like the turn 2 dip.  But look at that glorious grass and gravel.  Why is this circuit able to have grass and gravel and others dont?  Surely it solves off track limit issues.  

 

Lets hope the FIA introduce new rules with circuit design soon and revert back to something like this. 

[HeadFirst]

Excellent intro, Mr.M, love the reptilian feel.  

 

Not a fan of this track, but only because I could never quit nail it in the MotoGP game. Or was it WSBK??? Anyway looking forward to a (hopefully) dry race, where the stars of F1 can truly show their stuff.

[GoldenColt]

That lizzard looks so smug.

[myattitude]

A shame they have removed some of the circuits character like the turn 2 dip.  But look at that glorious grass and gravel.  Why is this circuit able to have grass and gravel and others dont?  Surely it solves off track limit issues.  

 

Lets hope the FIA introduce new rules with circuit design soon and revert back to something like this. 

There is still a lot of tarmac run off between the track and the gravel.

[MortenF1]

The weather forecast - and I know it's not really any reason to look at them this early - are only reporting 2-3 mms of rain during race time. That's nothing.

...but as I said, forecasts several days ahead are sketchy, and in this region especially.

[FNG]

One of my favourite tracks next to Spa and Suzuka. Tilke actually did some quality work here. Two fantastic passing zones. Love this track!!

[jonpollak]

I'm gonna miss that dip, but still a great circuit. And would you look at all this glorious gravel.

I love a good gravel trap myself..

Jp

[Kristian]

The weather forecast is irrelevant in the tropics - storms can bubble up out of nowhere, so the standard forecast is usually 60% chance of storms. So we just don't know.

I've been in Indonesia the last week - in the last 3 days the forecast where I am has been exactly the same as Sepangs this weekend. On Saturday it rained most of the day, on Sunday it rained all day, and yesterday it was dry all day. So you just don't know.

Personally I hope it's dry. I'm not losing my first chance of a lie in for about 3 weeks just to watch Charlies safety car fest.

[rm7667]

1. Ham
2. Ros
3. Vet
4. Rai
5. Ves

[Marklar]

Mercedes has for the 2nd time this year the chance to equal McLaren's record from 1988 of the most consecutive wins (11). Last time they had the chance Barcelona happened......

 

 

1. Ham
2. Ros
3. Vet
4. Rai
5. Ves

Hmmm. I wait with my prediction, but I dont believe that it will be a Mercedes 1-2 and if it will be then I think the other way around.

 

I also believe that Red Bull vs. Ferrari could be close, though I would also guess that Vettel is going to emerge as the winner here as Sepang is most likely his best track, but then again the track changes are not insignificant and he was caught out in Singapore by different conditions compared to previous years too.

 

All different if it rains though, then even Red Bull can win this race.

[ElJefe]

Sepang is one the few enjoyable Tilkedromes. Shame they got rid of the dip at T2...

[mangeliiito]

Finally, I love this track!

[Joseki]

It's a track I really like on rFactor 2, usually races here are fun. I hope rain will come at some point during the race.

[messy]

If it rains, we're on for a really great weekend. If it doesn't then probably another Mercedes demo run. 

 

Would echo what others have said, one of the few genuinely good Tilke tracks. Along with Turkey and, erm, I'm out.

[blacky]

I don't understand the quali start time again: 17:00 local - sunset: 19:00.

[hamilton10000]

One of my favourite races on the calendar, absolutely love the track.

I don't understand the quali start time again: 17:00 local - sunset: 19:00.

And yet again this makes absolutely no sense. Usually rains later in the day, so let's stats quali later...

[Marklar]

I don't understand the quali start time again: 17:00 local - sunset: 19:00.

On the bright side: They can just delay quali by 1 h

[FredrikB]

I'm probably stupid or can't read. But, what are the benefits of changing the last turn, except drainage.

I thought negative camber only creates one racing line and is bad for racing (like in Abu Dhabi)? 

[kimister]

I really enjoy this track. However one thing did not amused me is what they did with last corner. What is the point with turning it to an off-camber ? I ask literally ! What kind of features does it bring to circuit? Does it require more skills to get it right? Make it harder or smt?

[Jerem]

Mercedes loves smooth surfaces, good for them.

Not like they needed any help to win this one.

[kimister]

Tyres pressures

Front: 21.5 psi
Rear: 18.5 psi

Rears are the lowest of the season, baring street circuits. Front high as in the last few races

 

Did Pirelli change some rear tyre construction or what ? Is it normal to set that low pressure?

Edited by kimister, 27 September 2016 - 12:08.

[Marklar]

Did Pirelli change some rear tyre construction or what ?

Apparentely secretely since the summer break, yes.

[MasterOfCoin]

I really enjoy this track. However one thing did not amused me is what they did with last corner. What is the point with turning it to an off-camber ? I ask literally ! What kind of features does it bring to circuit? Does it require more skills to get it right? Make it harder or smt?

It makes no point, off-camber is a close and personal friend of dirty air, practically 2nd cousins. 

[kimister]

Resurfaced Sepang a new challenge for F1 teams - Pirelli

 

"The tarmac is a bit less aggressive than in the past, so the roughness has gone a bit down..."

 

"The bumps are no longer there, so it's completely flat. And also the camber of some corners is completely different."

 

"The impact of this is difficult to predict for us, but I suppose that the lines will be a bit different because of this, and also the laptime will be a bit different because of these changes."

 

"No bumps mean you can run lower, which means different downforce levels, and this clearly has an impact on the car."

 

"We gave them the information about the new tarmac before they made their choices, because the choice was 14 weeks ago, and if I'm not wrong my colleagues went with the Superbikes in June. It was quite close, but we gave them the information before the choice."

 

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/resurfaced-sepang-a-new-challenge-for-f1-teams-pirelli-830342/

Edited by kimister, 27 September 2016 - 12:26.

[senna da silva]

I really enjoy this track. However one thing did not amused me is what they did with last corner. What is the point with turning it to an off-camber ? I ask literally ! What kind of features does it bring to circuit? Does it require more skills to get it right? Make it harder or smt?

 

It slows the corner, potentially more lines through the corner. Plus it allows the circuit to drain better.

[f1paul]

Big difference between the qualy and race time (2hrs) 

[LiftAndCoast]

Big difference between the qualy and race time (2hrs)

In the Eastern timezone in the US, it takes the start time from the painful (5 am) to the brutal (3 am).

[Joseki]

It slows the corner, potentially more lines through the corner. Plus it allows the circuit to drain better.

 

I think they also made the change to force the drivers to a more wide entry leaving more space on the inside.

[Marklar]

In the Eastern timezone in the US, it takes the start time from the painful (5 am) to the brutal (3 am).

I would prefer these times over the standard 2 pm Central European start time.

[LiftAndCoast]

I would prefer these times over the standard 2 pm Central European start time.

You must be a night owl!

The European races are perfect here, usually starting at 8am. So start the day with F1, then still have the rest of the day to do other things.

[BullHead]

Yeah, I think the changes change the optimal line at various spots, so effectively the hooked together lap will have changed somewhat. Will have to be learnt from the cockpit, could be a good thing.... But bad weather all weekend won't really test it....

[Marklar]

You must be a night owl!

The European races are perfect here, usually starting at 8am. So start the day with F1, then still have the rest of the day to do other things.

This is good as well. I generally hate the afternoon races (so almost all), because your whole day is gone then. Morning (or night) or late evening is perfect.

Edited by Marklar, 27 September 2016 - 16:34.

[BullHead]

Tarmac to gravel run offs.... Not sure about them....

[Nzapper]

Tarmac to gravel run offs.... Not sure about them....

Makes no sense, at least not in Sepang where the run-offs are already gigantic as they were made to suffice the 1999 safety standards for tracks (which already was high).

 

I actually think it's more to avoid cars getting beached (and be out of the race and out for sponsors) than for safety standards.

Edited by Nzapper, 27 September 2016 - 16:57.

[tokengator82]

This is good as well. I generally hate the afternoon races (so almost all), because your whole day is gone then. Morning (or night) or late evening is perfect.

I love the 8 am starts, especially when NFL season overlaps because there is no conflict of interest..F1 at 8 am, sunday EPL game at 10 am or noon lately here in the US, and then NFL...great (lazy) sundays 

 

these 3-5 am ones suck though...will be a DVR event for me. 

Edited by tokengator82, 27 September 2016 - 17:20.

[kevinracefan]

it took 2 weeks to walk from Singapore to kuala lampur, I guess..

[markelov74]

If it is wet pray for Kimi

 

Wet+Malaysia = Nightmare for Kimi

[Xentas]

Hope for a Monsoon in Malaysia again, would love to see Formula one cars race in those conditions.