FORMULA 1 - 2016

[MIKA27]

SEPANG NEW TRACK SURFACE AND MODS AN UNKNOWN FACTOR

Pirelli have highlighted the new track surface at Sepang International Circuit as the biggest unknown expected at the Malaysian Grand Prix this weekend.

In his preview for Round 16 of the 2016 F1 world championship, Pirelli motorsport chief Paul Hembery, “The big unknown for this year is the track surface, which is completely new.”

The biggest changes have been made at the Turn 15 final corner hairpin, where the inside of the corner has been raised by a meter to modify the racing line and perhaps improve overtaking opportunities.

The lateral gradient is now -4% compared to +2% at the apex, which should also improve drainage at a corner where a pool of standing water would form when heavy rain fell in the past.

Turns 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12 and 13 have also had their gradients altered with organisers aiming to improve drainage and/or drivability of the corners.

The most significant of those changes are raising the inside of Turn 2, which previously featured a significant dip, to make the apex kerb more visible, and reprofiling the banking on the inside of the fast Turn 5 sweeper.

In August, track chief Razlan Razali said, “There will be some unknowns for the teams and drivers as we’ve changed the dynamics of the circuit a little bit at the various turns. It will be as if they’ve come to Sepang circuit for the first time.”

Meanwhile another unknown is the conditions that can be expected as the venue has previously hosted the grand prix earlier in the year, and was susceptible to Monsoon style rain showers.

Hembery explained, “In terms of extreme conditions that provide a real test for the tyres. Malaysia is right up there with anything else we see all year. That’s because of the extremely high temperatures as well as the high energy loading through the fast corners.”

“The weather can also change in an instant, turning the track into a monsoon. As a result of all that, Sepang tends to be quite a varied weekend where track evolution is hard to follow.”

“We’ve seen a high number of pit stops in the past and we would probably expect multiple stops from most drivers again this year: this of course opens up an even wider array of variables when it comes to potential race strategies, now that teams have three compounds to choose from,” concluded Hembery.

[MIKA27]

TOST: RED BULL WILL NOT LET SAINZ GO TO ANOTHER TEAM

It is no secret in the Formula 1 paddock that Carlos Sainz is being sought by Renault for a drive in 2017, but Toro Rosso team chief insists that the Spaniard is staying put with the Red Bull outfit.

Tost told media, “Carlos has a contract with Red Bull, and I don’t think Red Bull will let him go to another team considering the investment it has made during his career since the first steps in single-seater.”

“Today he is a high-level professional, and I see no reason why he could be let go. Toro Rosso needs Carlos: he’s fast, talented, and in 2017 we will need a driver of his level.”

Meanwhile the future of Daniil Kvyat hangs in the balance. After his demotion from the Red Bull senior team, the Russian struggled early on to find his stride at Toro Rosso.

Tost has done little to shed light on Kvyat’s future and confirmed that Pierre Gasly is being considered for a seat with the team.

“There will be a noticeable change: wide tyres, new aerodynamics, and for a team like Toro Rosso it will be important to have at least one experienced driver. The ideal would be two,” explained Tost.

And added, “It will be important to have an experienced driver like Sainz, then we’ll see if Daniil Kvyat or Pierre Gasly will be alongside him. I see no other solution,”

[MIKA27]

KUBICA DOES TIME ON F1 SIMULATOR BEFORE SPA PODIUM

Former F1 driver Robert Kubica finished on the podium in his debut in the Renault Sport Trophy at Spa-Francorchamps this past weekend, helped no doubt by a stint on the Renault F1 team’s simulator at their Enstone factory.

Renault F1 team chief Frederic Vasseur told F1i, “He did spend some time in the simulator at Enstone. It’s not a secret. I have a good relationship with Robert.”

“It was interesting for me to put him in the sim just to have his feedback. And it was also the beginning of the story with the R.S.01. He has a big experience with the simulator because he drove a lot in it with our competitors,” added Vasseur.

The former BMW and Renault F1 driver finished place in Saturday’s Renault Sport Trophy endurance race in the Duqueine Engineering’s Renault R.S.01, which Kubica shared with Christophe Hamon. A day later he finished fourth in the Pro sprint race.

[MIKA27]

Ferrari and Mercedes go aggressive with Japanese GP tyre selection

Ferrari have gone the most aggressive out of all the teams on the grid with their Japanese Grand Prix tyre selections, followed by Mercedes.

Pirelli has made the hard, medium and soft tyres available for the race, with all teams favouring the softest compound, though some more than others.

Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen has the most aggressive strategy of all, with just two sets of the hard and medium available and nine of the soft. Although team-mate Sebastian Vettel has the same number of softs, he has opted for more of the hard at three.

Both Mercedes drivers will have eight of the soft available to them, but differ on their remaining choices at three hard and two medium for Lewis Hamilton and two hard and three medium for Nico Rosberg.

Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen have identical choices and are likely to go with a more conservative strategy with just six of the soft tyre - the least of any team.

[MIKA27]

Lowe expecting a challenge in Malaysia

Being one of three races where Mercedes failed to win a race in 2015, Mercedes technical director Paddy Lowe is motivated to get the job done this time around.

Petronas, who is a sponsor of Mercedes, is also the country's national oil and gas company, which is another reason Lowe is looking forward to Sepang.

"We're all very much looking forward to Malaysia," Lowe explained.

"With Kuala Lumpur being the home of Petronas, we very much see this as one of our home Grand Prix.

"In 2015 we didn't manage to secure the win, which was hugely disappointing to us, so we have all the more motivation to come back and get it right this time around."

On the Sepang International Circuit, Lowe went onto explain that it is one of the more difficult tracks on the Formula 1 calendar due to the high demands.

"Focusing on the technical aspects of the circuit, it's a very challenging weekend,” he continued.

“The heat and humidity make life tough for drivers, team and cars alike, while the track action can often be affected by rain, which tends to be very heavy and arrive very suddenly.

"As such, we've seen some very eventful races in Malaysia over the years. The nominated tyre compounds for this event are the hard, medium and soft, with the unusual scenario of the hard as the obligatory race compound – meaning that, if the race remains dry, every driver must use that tyre.

"The characteristic of the circuit itself is more 'normal' than that of Monza or Singapore, which were more focused on more specific areas of car performance.

"Sepang places an even emphasis on power, aero efficiency and mechanical grip, so we're looking forward to seeing how we fare and aiming to put in a strong performance for the Malaysian fans."

[MIKA27]

Mallya anticipates twists and turns in fight for P4

Currently engaged in a tight battle for P4 with Williams, Force India boss Vijay Mallya has said although the team morale is high, they have not become complacent.

Ahead of the upcoming Malaysian Grand Prix this weekend, duo Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg will be defending a one-point lead to Williams.

Mallya, though, is confident that the Silverstone-based outfit can wrap up fourth place, but not without some ups and downs along the way.

“We are certainly at the ‘business’ end of the season,” said the Indian businessman.

“The morale is high; the drivers are happy and the car is working well, so we feel optimistic, but after nine years as a Team Principal I’m well aware that we cannot take anything for granted.

“Formula 1 always throws up surprises and I imagine there will be more twists and turns to come, so I’ve told the team to keep doing the same job we have done all year and to enjoy the challenge.

“Being back in fourth is important, but it’s being there at the end that counts.”

With six races left of the season, Force India will secure their highest ever finish on the Constructors’ Championship table if they take P4.

[Baldy]

9 minutes ago, MIKA27 said:

HASEGEWA: NEXT YEAR WE EXPECT TO BE EQUAL TO MERCEDES IN HORSEPOWER

 

As a long time McLaren and Honda fan....really?  Seriously? How about consistently making it to Q3 never mind consistently sniffing at podiums.  STFU, get to work and when you get there not to worry everyone will know.

[MIKA27]

Sauber confident 2017 hopes not hurt by lack of development

Sauber boss Monisha Kaltenborn is confident her team can still make up for the lack of development in 2016 with next year's car.

The Swiss outfit had nearly no updates for most of the season as it struggled financially, before it secured new owners in Longbow Finance back in July.

Since then, Sauber has introduced upgrades to its car, but inevitably the development of next year's design has been compromised.

But with the squad's finances now sorted, Kaltenborn insists her team will not be hurt by the lack of progress made with the 2017 car.

"Some things will take a while. You can't be quicker, that's the way things move," Kaltenborn said. "But I think in terms of development we could do a lot of things when it comes to looking at next year's car.

"We couldn't implement many things on this year's car, but other capabilities are very much there. So we could do that.

"There can be a bit of an effect on that, I'm not saying everything was just going on normally, but it shouldn't give us any reason why we can't make as step ahead next year.

"Ideally you want to test the parts a bit more, but I think we should be able to overcome and make up for that."

Sauber is currently last in the constructors' championship, having failed to score a point so far, with direct rival Manor on one point in 10th position.

Kaltenborn admitted the importance of beating Manor to 10th in the standings is huge in terms of money prize.

"The importance is many millions, it's all I can tell you," she said.

"Of course it [finishing 11th] would have an impact, but that's something we really don't want to look at, because we think we can still manage it and that's what we are focused on rather than looking at what to do if we don't manage it."

[MIKA27]

The Malaysian GP with Sebastian Vettel - Scuderia Ferrari 2016

“Malaysia is usually the hottest race of the season” explains Sebastian Vettel, on the eve of a race which one year ago delivered his maiden victory with the Scuderia. “ We did very well last year, so we’ll try to repeat what we did. For sure the first win with Ferrari was very emotional and very special. We had a great race and a fun night after that. So, I have good memories and I am looking forward to going back to Malaysia and hit the track. I think it’s very challenging.”

[MIKA27]

DOUBTS OVER GERMANY, CANADA AND BRAZIL ON 2017 F1 CALENDAR 

The German, Canadian and Brazilian grands prix were listed as subject to confirmation on a record-equalling 21 race provisional calendar for 2017 published by Formula One’s governing body on Wednesday.

The Italian Grand Prix at Monza, whose place had been doubtful up until this month’s race when a deal was agreed if not signed, was listed in its usual September slot after Belgium.

Germany remains uncertain due to Hockenheim’s stated reluctance to host a grand prix other than on alternate years and no deal with the Nuerburgring. The country’s race was dropped in 2015.

Formula One’s 85-year-old commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone has also been pushing for improvements to Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, whose contract is up for renewal next year, and the Interlagos track in Sao Paulo.

Brazil is also suffering its deepest economic recession in decades.

Ecclestone had warned in June that the 2017 calendar could be reduced to 18 races, although Monza was seen as one of those on the hit list at the time.

With no races added, after the debut of Azerbaijan’s Baku City Circuit this year, the main changes were date shifts and the reshuffling of some pairings.

There will be seven back-to-back pairings, and four in a row during the European part of the season.

Canada and Azerbaijan in June are on consecutive weekends, with the latter again clashing with the Le Mans 24 Hours sportscar race, as are Austria and Britain in July, Hungary and Germany at the end of that month and then Belgium and Italy.

Malaysia will precede Singapore, a reversal of this year, and stands alone on Sept. 17 with the neighbouring night race on Oct 1.

Singapore and Japan are back-to-back in October while Mexico’s race, which is paired with Texas this year, was moved closer to Brazil with those two on Nov 5 and 12 respectively.

China’s grand prix in Shanghai, the third round this year, reverts to being the second on April 9 and is back-to-back with Bahrain on April 16.

Australia hosts the opener in Melbourne on March 26, a week later than the 2016 season’s March 20 race. The finale will again be at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina on Nov 26.

Provisional 2017 F1 Calendar

March 26 – Australia (Melbourne)
April 9 – China (Shanghai)
April 16 – Bahrain
April 30 – Russia (Sochi)
May 14 – Spain (Barcelona)
May 28 – Monaco
*June 11 – Canada (Montreal)
June 18 – Azerbaijan (Baku)
July 2 – Austria (Spielberg)
July 9 – Britain (Silverstone)
July 23 – Hungary (Budapest)
*July 30 – Germany (Hockenheim)
Aug 27 – Belgium (Spa-Francorchamps)
Sept 3 – Italy (Monza)
Sept 17 – Malaysia (Sepang)
Oct 1 – Singapore
Oct 8 – Japan (Suzuka)
Oct 22 – USA (Austin)
Nov 5 – Mexico (Mexico City)
*Nov 12 – Brazil (Sao Paulo)
Nov 26 – Abu Dhabi
*Subject to confirmation.

 

[MIKA27]

FIA MOVE TO CLOSE FORMULA 1 ENGINE LOOPHOLE

Formula 1 moved to close an engine loophole that has allowed world champion Lewis Hamilton and other drivers to stockpile power units by taking multiple and meaningless penalties at race weekends.

The governing International Automobile Federation (FIA)’s World Motor Sports Council said in a statement that in future only the last element fitted could be used at further events without penalty.

Mercedes driver Hamilton, who had suffered engine failures earlier in the year, took a 55-place starting grid penalty at last month’s Belgian Grand Prix for exceeding his permitted allocation of engine components.

There are only 22 slots on the grid, which meant the Briton started at the back but did not have to carry any of the leftover penalty places to future races.

Mercedes had fitted three new power-units beyond Hamilton’s permitted allocation of five, expanding his pool of engines for the final races.

The Briton is currently eight points behind German team mate and championship leader Nico Rosberg with six races remaining, including the next round in Malaysia.

[MIKA27]

VASSEUR: NEW 2017 F1 RULES WILL NOT RESHUFFLE THE ORDER

Much is being written about the 2017 Formula 1 rules and their aim to liven up ‘the show’ and perhaps reduce the gap between the pace setting team and the rest, but Renault F1 chief Federeic Vasseur doubts the pecking order will be much different next season.

Vasseur told ESPN, “It won’t totally reshuffle the cards. Contrary to what you might think, I am not sure the new regulations will be such a big advantage for Renault because I think they will favour well-oiled structures with reactive staff, while we are still in the process of re-building the team.”

“What can happen though is that teams fighting for positions in this year’s constructors’ championship are tempted to still allocate resources to improve their current chassis and find an extra tenth for the upcoming races.”

“On the other hand, for a team like Mercedes, whose place has been more or less secured for some time, it’s easier to shift its attention towards 2017. So it will not really reshuffle the order, structurally at least.”

“Now, the big difference can come from the range of technical choices and philosophies favoured by the teams. We saw it at the time of Brawn GP [in 2009] when several squads had gone for double diffusers and the others had to catch up. This is where you can have the edge.”

Renault has not enjoyed a hassle free return as a works team, morphing from a near destroyed Lotus team they are slowly rebuilding and are plying their trade at the wrong end of the grid.

Vasseur explains, “We had two choices: we could concentrate on 2016 and spend a lot of energy to progress and play catch up, or we could focus on 2017 very early, knowing there were major regulation changes in the pipeline. I don’t know what happened at other teams but we switched to next year very early. We’ll see how it goes.”

[MIKA27]

ROSBERG: IT’S ANYONE’S GAME

Nico Rosberg admits that having a shot at winning a grand prix every time he lines up on the grid is a privilege, but at the same time the F1 world championship leader is taking nothing for granted.

Speaking ahead of the weekend in Malaysia, the Mercedes driver said, “It’s an incredible position to be in as a driver, knowing you have a shot at winning every weekend.”

“I won’t take it for granted. I’ve had a good run lately and I’m enjoying the moment. But as far as the next race goes, or the next one after that and so on… it’s anyone’s game,” he added

Reflecting on his dominant performance in Singapore last time out, Rosberg said, “Singapore was a perfect weekend for me. The team did such an impressive job understanding what went wrong last year and turning it around.”

In last year’s race at Sepang, Mercedes faltered as Sebastian Vettel powered to victory for Ferrari, Rosberg recalled, “Malaysia didn’t work out perfectly for us last year, so if we can win it this time against such tough opposition that would be really awesome.”

“Red Bull and Ferrari are both pushing us really hard, so there will be some tough weekends ahead. It’s exciting for the fans and pushes us even harder to keep improving, so that’s a great thing,” added Rosberg.

Prior to this season Rosberg had never won a grand prix at Spa-Francorchamps, Monza or Singapore – the last three races which he has now won on the trot.

He goes to Malaysia, eight points ahead in the titel race, but not having stood on the top step of the Sepang F1 podium as yet and aiming to change that fact as he has done in the past three races.

[MIKA27]

ERICSSON FLOORED BY BIG CHICKEN IN THAILAND

Marcus Ericsson hit a ‘big chicken’ while cycling during a training camp in Thailand, ahead of the Malaysian Grand Prix weekend, sustaining superficial injuries which will not prevent him from racing in Malaysia this weekend.

The Sauber driver reported on Twitter, “Arrived in KL today! As some of you’ve read I had an accident on the bicycle in Thailand. Lucky to get away with only bruises and scratches.”

“Hitting a (big) chicken doing 45km/h is not to recommend ? but I’m all patched up and ready for the weekend ??? #ME9” he added.

He posted images (above) of his injuries plus the damage to his bicycle and confirmed that the chicken also survived the accident…

[MIKA27]

F1 DRIVERS ALLOWED SPECIAL HELMET LIVERY FOR ONE RACE

The FIA have eased up slightly on the unpopular rule which mandates that drivers cannot change helmet livery during the course of the season, by allowing them to have a special design for one selected event.

The FIA confirmed at the World Motor Sport Council in Paris: “Drivers must continue to present their helmets in substantially the same livery at every event of the FIA Formula One World Championship for easy recognition of the driver in the car.”

“However a driver will now be allowed one event (such as a home race) for a special livery (at the driver’s choice). Drivers will also be allowed to change their helmet liveries if changing teams during the season.”

[MIKA27]

FIA ANNOUNCES NEW WET WEATHER START PROCEDURES

The FIA confirmed anew start procedure for wet weather at the World Motor Sport Council in Paris.

The new start procedure in wet conditions will be as follows:

“From 2017, if a safety car is deemed to be required for the beginning of a race due to wet weather, a normal standing start will occur once the track is deemed safe to race.”

“The process will see the safety car return to the pit lane and the cars assemble on the grid for the start.”

[MIKA27]

BMW SNUB F1 TO FOCUS ON NEW WEC CAMPAIGN

BMW appear to have shelved any plans to enter Formula 1 by announcing a works effort to tackle the World Endurance Championship (WEC) starting in 2018.

BMW will enter the LMGTE category alongside current big name manufacturers such as Aston Martin, Ferrari, Ford, and Porsche. Its entry in the world endurance championship will also mark a return to the cornerstone of the WEC, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, for the first time since 2011.

BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt commented, “Starting with the 2018 season, we want to further expand our activities in GT racing and compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship.”

“This obviously also includes our return to Le Mans, which we are particularly looking forward to. The way the WEC has developed so well makes us confident that there is a big future for GT racing,” added Marquardt.

The WEC programme, coupled to their involvement in a myriad of other motorsport series’, is unlikely to allow for a BMW Formula 1 programme in the foreseeable future.

[MIKA27]

MALAYSIAN GRAND PRIX FACTS AND STATS

Statistics for the Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix, the Round 16 of the 21-round 2016 Formula 1 world championship season at Sepang International Circuit.

• Lap distance: 5.543km. Total distance: 310.408km (56 laps)
• Race lap record: One minute 34.223 seconds. Juan Pablo Montoya (Colombia) Williams, 2004.
• 2015 pole: Lewis Hamilton (Britain) Mercedes 1:49.834
• 2015 winner: Sebastian Vettel (Germany) Ferrari
• Start time: 0700 GMT (1500 local)

Wins

• Germany’s Nico Rosberg has won the last three races for champions Mercedes.
• Mercedes have won 46 of the last 53 races and 14 of this season’s 15.
• Rosberg has won eight this year, triple world champion Lewis Hamilton six. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen is the other winner this season.
• Hamilton has 49 career victories. The Briton is third in the all-time list behind Michael Schumacher (91) and Alain Prost (51), and seven ahead of Ferrari’s four-times world champion Vettel.
• McLaren’s Fernando Alonso has 32 wins, Rosberg 22, Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen 20 and McLaren’s Jenson Button 15.
• Rosberg, who is now level with 1996 champion Damon Hill in 13th place on the all-time win lists, has more victories than any other non-champion in the history of the sport.
• Ferrari have won 224 races in total, McLaren 182, Williams 114, Mercedes 59, Red Bull 51. McLaren last won in 2012.

Pole Position

• Mercedes have been on pole in 50 of the last 53 races and all but one of this season’s grands prix.
• Hamilton has 56 career poles and is third on the all-time list behind Schumacher (68) and Ayrton Senna (65). Vettel has 46, Rosberg 29.

Points

• Sauber (Marcus Ericsson and Felipe Nasr) are the only team yet to score a point in 2016.
• Renault’s Jolyon Palmer, Haas’s Esteban Gutierrez and Manor’s Esteban Ocon have yet to open their accounts.

Malaysian Grand Prix

• Vettel is a record four times winner at Sepang (2010, 2011, 2013, 2015) while Alonso (2005, 2007, 2012) has three victories there. Raikkonen has won twice (2003, 2008), Button and Hamilton once.
• Ferrari have won seven of the 17 races held to date in Malaysia.
• Nine of the 17 have been won from pole. The lowest grid placing ending in victory was Alonso’s 2012 win from eighth place.
• Button took his first F1 podium at Sepang in 2004 and has started 16 times there, more than any other driver.
• Hamilton has been on pole three times in Malaysia.
• Mercedes have Malaysian oil giant Petronas as title sponsor.

Milestones

• Mercedes can win the constructors’ championship on Sunday for the third year in a row.
• Hamilton can become only the third driver to win 50 races.
• McLaren’s Jenson Button, the 2009 world champion, will be starting his 300th grand prix. Only two other drivers have reached that mark — Brazilian Rubens Barrichello (323) and Michael Schumacher (307).
• Singapore was Rosberg’s 200th race and he became the 16th driver to reach that mark. He was the first non-champion to win that race.
• Ricciardo’s fastest lap in Singapore was Red Bull’s 50th.

[MIKA27]

Brazil organisers surprised by TBC status of 2017 race

Brazilian race organisers have said they're "surprised" by the status of the country's race on the 2017 Formula 1 calendar, which is marked as "subject to confirmation" along with two other races.

Both Germany and Canada also have an asterisk next to their races. Although it's known there are financial troubles with the German event and Montreal's contract hinges on an agreement to build a new pit and paddock complex, Brazil's Interlagos has a contract in place until 2020, having agreed and even begun on work to upgrade its own facilities.
Race organisers are therefore confused as to why the event is marked as 'TBC'.

"The Brazilian Grand Prix Organization, took notice, with surprise, of the 2017 F1 WC Calendar which shows the race TBC (to be confirmed)," they said in a short statement.
"There is a contract in place until 2020 every provision of which will be complied with as it has been for the past 45 years."

[MIKA27]

Pirelli to allocate identical tyres for first five races of 2017

Pirelli will allocate all 22 drivers with identical compound selections for the opening five races of the season next year.

A new rule introduced at the beginning of the current season allows drivers to select their own tyre compounds for each race from a choice of three. Those selections must be made several weeks in advance to give tyre supplier Pirelli time to manufacture, prepare and ship those choices.

However with big changes to the tyres for 2017 and the deadline for choosing which compounds each driver will use for the opening five races expiring before the conclusion of pre-season testing - the first time the teams and drivers will get to test the new tyres - the FIA feels it only fair that Pirelli provides an identical selection for every driver.

"For the first five events of the 2017 Championship season only, the normal team selection procedure for tyres will not be used as the deadline occurs before pre-season testing.

"For these events the supplier will allocate two sets of the hardest compound specification, four sets of the medium compound specification and seven sets of the softest compound specification to each driver."

[MIKA27]

Symonds curious on the improved Sepang Circuit

With the changes made to the Sepang International Circuit being a major talking point ahead of this weekend's race, Williams chief technical officer Pat Symonds is curious to know how the track has improved.

A prominent feature on the Formula 1 calendar, the Malaysian Grand Prix is usually raced in April, but due to major renovations it was postponed towards the end of the year.

The track will supposedly improve the racing, something Symonds is keen to witness as it might be a benchmark for other tracks to meet.

"The new date for Malaysia takes us to the first of two circuits that really stretch the car after the confines of Singapore," he said. 

"In Kuala Lumpur we also the challenge of extensive changes that have been made to the track.

"As well as the complete resurfacing of the track there is also some realignment which has been specially designed to improve the racing. It will be interesting to see how successful it is, and if it acts as a pointer to future circuit modifications.

"From a performance point of view, of course, the focus is on the very high temperatures and humidity which not only affect the car set-up but also take a high toll on the drivers.

"There are several high-speed long corners where loading dictates the advantage of the more robust compounds. The circuit has good overtaking opportunities and we can expect an exciting race but, as always in Malaysia, we will be keeping a very close watch for the heavy rainfall that can disrupt this event."

[MIKA27]

Alonso: Malaysia will be interesting

Fernando Alonso expressed his curiosity on the new surface of the Sepang International Circuit ahead of the Malaysian Grand Prix, a race where he has won three times.

The track went under major renovations since the last race, with changes to the corners and high-speed straights being the focus.

Looking forward to continue McLaren-Honda’s progress this weekend, the Spaniard also added that he has enjoyed some fond memories in Malaysia and hopes for many more.

"I'm looking forward to heading back to Malaysia after 18 months since the last race there," said the 35-year-old, who will line-up alongside McLaren team-mate Jenson Button this weekend.

"It'll be interesting to see how the cars cope on the newly-resurfaced track, and I imagine the weather conditions will be different from our last visit.

"Still, we expect it to be a tough race in the heat and humidity, but there's a good combination of slow and high-speed corners and fast straights, so it has a little bit of everything.

"I've won this race three times before so I have happy memories, and we'll be aiming to continue the momentum from the past couple of races and get a strong result there again this year."

[MIKA27]

Malaysia welcomes Nico and Lewis in style

Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg are in Kuala Lumpur ahead of the 2016 Formula 1 PETRONAS Malaysian Grand Prix - they are spending time with the Team's Title Partner PETRONAS, meeting fans and even surprising a few people! 

[MIKA27]

SEPANG QUALIFYING: HAMILTON TOO HOT FOR ROSBERG

Lewis Hamilton was simply too good for championship leader and title rival Nico Rosberg in qualifying for the Malaysian Grand Prix, as he claimed pole by nearly half a second as his Mercedes teammate wilted under pressure.

Hamilton only needed one fast lap run in Q3 to do the business, while Rosberg played second fiddle throughout the session thanks to several errors when it mattered, including his final run missing the apex of the final turn. Nevertheless the German did well to make up for a mistake packed first flyer in the final stanza of the session.

The world champion was in supreme form. Cool and calm he was the only driver to dip below the 93 seconds mark around the newly resurfaced venue and his best lap time was 0.414 of a second better than Rosberg’s best.

Hamilton said afterwards, “Definitely pleased. Big thanks to all fans who turned up. A lot of British flags. Secondly, huge thanks to the team. We have improved. We’ve come here with the best the car has been this year. Great work done coming into this weekend. Could have been a faster lap.”

The Mercedes duo will start from the front row at Sepang, with this qualifying again proof that they have at least half a second when needed on their closest rivals, who again were the Red Bulls.

Rosberg summed up his afternoon, “I was going for pole, what else would I be doing out there? I would have come close but made a mistake at the last corner. I couldn’t get the settings right at the last corner. Second place doesn’t mean victory is not possible, we have seen that many times. I am still optimistic for tomorrow.”

It will be an all blue second row and an all red third row, with Max Verstappen starting from third and teammate Daniel Ricciardo alongside in fourth, while the Ferrari boys will line up behind them with Sebastian Vettel in fifth and Kimi Raikkonen in sixth.

Verstappen said, “I don’t know if we can beat them (Mercedes). This weekend there has been positive changes after Singapore. Long race pace is promising, we needed to improve the short work today and we did that.”

Next up were the Force India pair of Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg in seventh and eighth respectively, the Mexican is one to watch as Sepang has been a happy hunting ground for him in the past.

Jenson Button, qualifying for his 300th grand prix, was ninth fastest in the McLaren, with Williams driver Felipe Massa rounding out the top ten in what is his last Malaysian Grand Prix weekend.

Earlier In Q1, both Mercedes drivers were on track early, and on soft tyres Hamilton and Rosberg soon established themselves in P1, with the Briton to the fore with a lap of 1:34.444. Rosberg was less than two hundredths of a second adrift.

Behind them Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg was third ahead of Red Bull’s Daniel Riccirado who took fourth on medium tyres. Sergio Perez was fifth in the second Force India, while the second Red Bull of Max Verstappen was sixth. Like his colleague he set his time on medium tyres.

Ferrari also opted for medium tyres in the early runs in the final minutes Ferrari, perhaps concerned that others might greatly improve, sent Raikkonen and Vettel out on softs tyres. They immediately jumped to third and fourth respectively, and to safety.

Verstappen too was forced to bolt on the softs at the end of the session just in case, though he safely made it through in P12 and backed out of the run early to save the set.

In the drop zone going into the final runs, though, were Haas’ Esteban Gutierrez, Sauber’s Marcus Ericsson, Felipe Nasr in the second Sauber, Manor’s Pascal Wehrlein, McLaren’s Fernando Alonso and the second Manor of Esteban Ocon.

Gutierrez went into the final runs just four hundredths of a second off Jolyon Palmer’s P16 time and the Mexican easily bypassed that in the closing moments, jumping to P16.

Palmer though erred and slipped down the order. It meant that he qualified in P19 behind Ericsson and Nasr. Also out went Ocon and Wehrlein and Alonso, who due to engine changes will take a sufficiently large grid penalty tomorrow to make extended running in qualifying pointless.

Mercedes were again on track early in Q2 and Rosberg was first across the line with a time of 1:33.609. Hamilton was tearing through the sectors, though, and despite a moment were he overran a kerb the Briton posted a time almost six tenths clear of the championship leader.

Behind them Red Bull took third and fourth with Verstappen ahead, while Ferrari were fifth and sixth. Fifth-place Raikkonen was just five thousandths of a second behind Ricciardo.

In the drop zone ahead og the final Q2 runs were the sole remaining McLaren of Jenson Button, the Haas cars of Romain Grosjean and Gutierrez, Renault’s Kevin Magnussen and the Toro Rossos of Carlos Sainz and Daniil Kvyat.

The top six as well as seventh-placed Felipe Massa of Williams all stayed in their garages for the final runs and it was left to the rest to tussle over the remaining Top 10 spots.

And it was Jenson Button who did the most to claim one of those spots. The Briton, who will tomorrow become just the third man in F1 history to start his 300th grand prix, jumped from P11 to P8 to seal a Q3 berth ahead of Hulkenberg and Perez. All of the top 10 in Q2 set their fastest time on soft tyres, so they will start the race on that compound.

Out then, from P11 back, went Valtteri Bottas, Grosjean, Gutierrez, Magnussen, Kvyat and Sainz.

Mercedes were again early adopters in the final top 10 shootout but Rosberg pile pressure on himself by making a mistake in the final corner. It would see him fifth after the first runs.

Hamilton though was finding time everywhere and at the end of his first run he’d set a blistering time of 1:32.850 to claim provisional P1. That was almost six tenths clear of second-placed Verstappen, with Ricciardo taking fourth ahead of Raikkonen, Rosberg and Vettel.

And it was a similar take in the final runs. Rosberg improved across the first two sectors but again he erred in the final sector. It was enough to secure the championship leader second place on the grid, however, as Verstappen failed to improve.

Ricciardo did improve, but it wasn’t enough to eclipse his team-mate and so he will line up fourth for the second year in a row. Ferrari took row three, while Perez was seventh ahead of Hulkenberg, Button and Massa.

[MIKA27]

BUTTON PUB BUILT IN HONOUR OF HIS 300TH GRAND PRIX

Jenson Button celebrated the occasion of his 300th grand prix start with a some of his driver mates over a beer, at the end of the first day of practice for the Malaysian Grand Prix, at a purpose built pub: the Button and Dog.

The British driver will line up on the grid for his 300th start on Sunday and McLaren marked the occasion by building a replica of an English pub in his honour.

Most of the paddock made a visit during the course of the day to congratulate Button on the milestone, including ex-teammate Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes’ championship leader Nico Rosberg.

The walls of the Dog and Button were pasted with images depicting Button’s career at the pinnacle of the sport, including his 2008 F1 world championship victory with Brawn GP.

The ‘Button Brewery’ served drinks such as ‘Ol’ Brawny’, ‘Somerset Scrumper’ and ‘300’ – including matching beer mats and bespoke mugs.

Button is set to ‘retire’ at the end of this season, making way for Stoffel Vandoorne to join Fernando Alonso at the McLaren-Honda outfit.

At the age of 20, Button made his F1 debut at the 2000 Australian Grand Prix and since then won a world title in 2009, won 15 races – the first of which was at the 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix – and scored 50 podiums.

He started his career with Williams where he remained for a season, which was followed by a two year stint at Benetton Renault. He moved to BAR Honda in 2003. The team became Honda Racing in 2006, before morphing into Brawn GP in his championship year of 2009. He moved to McLaren in 2010.