F1: Malyasian Grand Prix Preview

The start of the 2010 Malaysian Grand Prix

  Formula One entered the 2011 season with many changes and great anticipation with Sebastien Vettel winning the first race of the year in Melbourne, Australia. The next trip on the calendar will take place at the hot, humid and often rainy Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. The Malaysian GP could perhaps shed some more light on the effectiveness of the new regulations....



   One of the most highly debated changes to F1 this year is the Drag Reduction System (DRS), more commonly known as the moveable rear wing. The new wing has a slot that opens up when a driver is within one second of the driver in front, reducing drag and theoretically allowing the trailing driver to shoot past. However, the FIA only allows it to be used on certain sections of the track to try and keep passing from being too easy.

  This sounds like a good idea, but because of the restrictions to where it can be used, the leading driver will always know when the driver behind will try using it and can use his own KERS to keep ahead. The Australian GP proved that the system failed to make passing any easier. Granted it was not anticipated to work particularly well at Australia due to the designated straight not being very long. With Malaysia providing a nice, long straight running down to the first corner, the DRS may prove to be more effective.

  Moving away from the regulations, defending World Champion Sebastien Vettel and Red Bull confirmed their rivals biggest fears during the Australian GP: Red Bull is blindingly quick again this year. Vettel blitzed the field in qualifying setting the pole by an almost unheard of 8 tenths of a second.

  Their pace does not come as too big of a surprise due to their speed and consistency during preseason testing. However, Ferrari drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa were close behind throughout the tests and looked poised to possibly knock Red Bull off of its pedestal. Surprisingly though in qualifying in Australia, the two Ferraris languished not only behind the two Red Bulls, but also the two McLarens of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button who happened to have an extremely disappointing preseason. Alonso managed to gain a position in the race thanks in part to a drive through penalty to Button, but Ferraris pace must improve in Malaysia if they want to keep step with their rivals at Red Bull and a McLaren team that looks to have taken a big step forward at the previous race.

Fernando Alonso

 Another team that came into the year with high aspirations is Mercedes. Michael Schumacher hopes to move on from a difficult 2010 return to Formula One and looked set to do so during the practice sessions leading up to the Australian GP, but failed to make it into the third round of knockout qualifying. Schumacher blamed the fragile Pirelli tires, but his teammate Nico Rosberg still managed to get into Q3. Unfortunately, both drivers were forced to retire come race-day due to an on track incident and reliability problems. Mercedes seemed quick early in the week, but needs to be quick when it counts in Malaysia to rebound from a tough outing down under.

  The season is young, so predictions are tough to make with any certainty at this stage, but we're predicting another victory for Sebastien Vettel and Red Bull Racing. How sure are we of that pick? We're not! Especially with the forecast looking very stormy for the race on Sunday, we could be in for a very unpredictable race. So you'll have to catch all the twists and turns live this weekend on SPEED Channel.

Michael Schumacher is looking to improve on his Australian performance

Lap of the Sepang International Circuit