Formula 1 2010

[Andy]

The Malaysian Grand Prix is on this weekend starting at 9am in the morning.

The weird thing was that I was in Malaysia the day after last year and all the ex-pats told me that they knew it would be rained off because the ''storm'' occurs at around the time it did for roughly one hour. And believe me, it is some storm but it is dry within half a hour. Now, unless memory serves me incorrectly, which it may do, that was around 5-6, possibly 6-7. Hmm, they're 8 hours in front..... I wonder what the chances are or even the odds are on it happening again. All this worry just to suit European audiences..... I know that Singapore does the ''night race'' over in the Far East but if it happens again then surely they should consider it.

[Mike]

The practice sessions today were very interesting.

Hamilton was first proving he can be faster than anyone over a single lap (shame he can't keep the tyres sweet for the whole race).

Vettel was second with Nico Rosbert 0.002 seconds slower giving Merceedes GP the best improved car since Melbourne.

Schumacher was fifth behind reigning Champion Button, interestingly has cut his deficit to Rosberg to 0. from 0.. Good work there and showing improvement in both track position and comparative to his younger partner.

Bring on Qualifying tomorrow at 9am on BBC1.

[Mike]

The Malaysian GP qualifying was electric today. Ferrari and Mclaren made a massive error on the weather and as a result Alonso, Hamilton, Massa were all out in Q3 21-23 respectively. Button was a victim of the strategy by being stranded on the gravel and qualified in 17th by the slimest of margins. It means that lots of weaker cars are in front of these teams which should produce some good overtaking and some interesting pit strategies.

Roll on another exciting race on Sunday at 8am. My predicted race winner (Alsono) has effectively been scuppered.

Schumacher is in 10th position on the grid after an amazing lap time in the wet which was subsequenty beaten by Webber who risked all for pole position by using intermediate tyres on a waterlogged track. Luckilly for him the drying track enabled him to snatch pole with a margin of over 1.. Rosberg is second (from memory).

[Andy]

So, rain screws it up again - I refer to my earlier post/prediction. However, this time it was in a good way...phew. I'd hate to see another race like that again and it should be an interesting one this time as there promises to be a lot of things occuring that will be unpredictable.

I still predict rain and if it does occur then I think it will be a very exciting spectacle and one that will be worth getting up for. I don't think this one will be straightforward which is a good thing.

[Mike]

No rain rain but still an entertaining race. The pace of Lewis was very exciting to watch am a shame that he could not manage to beat the force India of Adrian Sutill. Vettel dominated the race from start to finish, much to the annoyance of Webber and Rosberg who finished 2nd and 3rd.

The championship is very close indeed with the top 5 being within 4 points of each other. Can't wait for some
more racing in a couple of weeks time.

[Mike]

I have just seen a massive crash from Torro Rosso where Buemi managed to shear both front wheels off his car. Amazing crash - see the BBC website.

[mr_e]

To be fair to Buemi, it wasn't his fault at all. Did you notice on the replay that one of the tires jumped over the catch-fence and hit a spectator? Nasty.

Link to BBC iPlayer footage

[Mike]

The qualifying session was interesting today. The red bull team dominated the Q3 and took first and second place. Hamilton messed up his last lap and came in 6th. Schumi was 9th. Not great but a good race tomorrow should get him in the points.

[Mike]

Great race from Jenson yesterday, cool, assured and without drama. Perfect world champion mentality. Schumacher by comparison appeared twitchy and off colour, as he has all season, it will be interesting to see how the rest of the championship plays out but I get the feeling that he won't be here for another season.

Lewis drove well too but it was Red Bull who had the poisoned chalice of winning pole position. Both cars struggled through the race and dropped to fourth and fifth (I think).

All in all an exciting weekend. The interview (if you can call it that) with Bernie Ecclestone prior to the race was interesting. Jake Humphry was really struggled to get him to communicate. Bernie was joking that the next race will be in China unless the airwaves clear in Europe.

On a similar thought, I saw an article that claims airlines are loosing £130 million a day from being grounded and various safety stunts (BA comes to mind) have been done to try and get the ban lifted.

[Mike]

Michael Schumacher finally outpaces his team mate by 0.5 seconds. That is only in practice sessions but it will be interesting to watch qualifying sessions from 1pm today.

[mr_e]

Caught the highlights from Spain on Sunday evening... argh, Hamilton! Webber was on fire (not literally).

[Mike]

It was a bit processional as races go but great racing from Schumacher, Hamilton and (of course) Webber. Quality race, I can genuinely not guess who will win on Sundays race. Monaco is a great venue to watch (a bugger to drive in games though). I hope you all enjoy the race on Sunday!

[Mike]

Monaco GP this weekend, I am looking forward to this one although I can't do the race on F1 2009 game! I should play this game again but I need to find my battery charger - I honestly cant remember where I put it although I do remember saying 'I better put this somewhere safe so I don't loose it'.

[Mike]

Monaco GP was a very good race for it's crashes and Schumi's cheeky last corner pass on Alonso. I wonder if the stewards will allow it to stick. I hope so.

Well done to Mark Webber.

[Mike]

The Monac GP was relatively processional yesterday with some good driving from Alonso and Webber. Alonso managing to come from 24th to 6/7th depending on who you believe with regards to the last corner shinanigans between him a rival Schumacher.

Keep an eye on the news today to see if Merceedes will appeal the stewards decision to dock Schumacher 20 seconds for his cheeky pass on the last corner. Alonso was definitely sleeping once the safety car came into the pits.

Personally I would like to Merceedes to win this one for several reasons,
1- Safety car was in, lights were green (ie race is on).
2- Race did not finish under the safety car, that last corner should be in race conditions.
3- It made Alonso look slightly stoopid.

Nuff said.