Preview: The Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix

April 5, 2007

After wait of 3 long weeks, the Formula 1 race weekend is finally here for the Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix. Though nothing of much interest has happened during these 3 weeks, except the great Kimi-dilemma and 3 day testing session where all teams, except Spyker, participated.

After his victory in Australian Grand Prix 3 weeks ago, Kimi Raikkonen and Ferrari are seems to be in a fix. The problem is with water leakage in the engine of Kimi’s car. The snag developed during the last stages of Australian Grand Prix when Kimi was asked to slow down to save the engine. Since each engine has to last 2 race weekends, Ferrari engineers are not allowed to open the engine and decide whether the problem is really serious or not. Therefore they are not able to take a call whether to compete in Malaysian Grand Prix with the existing engine or to change it, hence getting 10 grid position penalty.

The Formula 1 bandwagon arrived in Malaysia last week, when all the teams [except Sypker] had a 3 day testing session, which extended by 1 day due to rains. The testing showed a mix result with different drivers topping the charts. Which makes it more hard to predict what sort of car development we would get to see in Malaysia. Though 3 weeks is a very right window to bring in any major changes in the cars.

Malaysian Grand Prix is all set for being the first wet Grand Prix of the season with showers being predicted for the weekend. Therefore making the GP more interesting. Just a note, during on of the practice sessions when it was raining, Lewis Hamilton topped the chart. Is it any indication of the race weekend ? We’ll come to know pretty soon.

And if you thought that a gap of 3 weeks was just too much to handle, then be prepared for the 4 weeks gap between Bahrain GP & Spanish GP. I so much miss having races every fortnight.

So, what’s the predictions going to be for Malaysian Grand Prix ?

For qualifiers, Felipe Massa takes pole position with Kimi following on second spot and Alonso in third. I also think that Ferrari will change the engine of Kimi’s car, therefor he’ll be starting from 12th position on the grid, after 10 grid place penalty.

For the race winner, I’ll put my money on Felipe Massa taking the chequered flag.

Enjoy the Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix.

This is cross-posting of article I wrote for desicritics