This weekend sees the teams at battle once again, just days after Jenson Button kicked off the season on style. McLaren seem to have the best car and with Marussia having a two car finish, may well mean the nose step was the wrong decision.
I am going to run through the latest news ahead of this weekends grand prix.
The Felipe Massa Saga Continues at Ferrari
We will start with Felipe Massa, who had a poor race in Melbourne. 2012 was supposed to be the season he proved himself. Some of the Italian press have been calling for a replacement already. I don't agree, I believe he is a decent driver. Don't forget he was seconds from being world champion in 200&. Italian slots paper 'Autosprint' had this to say about Massa, which is a bit off hand being we've only has one race. Here's a segment of what they said; "The Brazilian is already a case: disastrous and embarrassing in the race. Last year, he had the excuse of not being able to get heat into the tyres, this year the opposite happens, [and] he destroys them in a few laps. Felipe is useless to the team and does not carry championship points. Massa is now the shadow of the beautiful pale rider of the past, [when he was] aggressive and [capable of a] quick lap."
We will see what happens with Massa, but I fully expect him to see out the year, especially following the replacements Ferrari used when he was out injured in 2009.
The Bookies Rate Lewis Hamilton for Malaysia
Lewis Hamilton is the early favorite for Sepang. After his outstanding pole position in Melbourne, the bookies are looking at his race there as unlucky. They believe with a bit of luck he would have won. However you can't take anything away from Jensons great drive.
Sebastian Vettel Talks About the Future of the RB8
Reigning World Champion, Sebastian Vettel, believes the RB8 needs more track time to become a force on 2012. He had said that the car has no fundamental issues, it just needs fine tuning in order to become a race winning car like its predecessor. Red Bull were unable to compete with McLaren in qualifying in Melbourne Nd during the race. It has been said in the media that without the safety car, We would have had a McLaren 1-2. Vettel is confident for Sepang this weekend as he puts a poor qualifying performance down to his final race position in Melbourne. So I guess it's watch out everyone, Vettel believes he'll be back to his very best this weekend.
Schumacher Set For Pole in Sepang?
Michael Schumacher has played down talk that Mercedes are set for pole in Sepang. Many pundits believe the use of their innovative rear wing device will give them a chance to lead from the front. Pundits have been putting Schumacher's qualifying pace, which got him on the second row in Melbourne, down to the unusual duct on the Mercedes, that seems to work when the DRS system is activated and is used to channel air onto the wing, which will inevitably give him an extra boost, when the DRS is activated. In qualifying you can use DRS for the full lap. This will give him and Rosberg the chance to get among the front runners.
Williams New Found Pace Needs to Turn to Points
Following a 13th place for Maldonado and a 16th for Senna in Australia, you may be forgiven for thinking that there had been no real impovement over the winter for the British team, however, you'd be wrong. Until the last lap in Australia, Williams looked on course to score more points than they did in the entire season during 2011. Pastor unfortunately retired on the final lap. Bruno Senna showed some good pace during the race but seemed hampered by bad luck, his race finally coming to an end when he collided with fellow Brazilian Felipe Massa (maybe Massa has found a new play mate for 2012, especially now he cant't catch Lewis' McLaren. Williams are set to use pretty much the same car,with no updates, for Malaysia. The only difference maybe an opening up of cooling level due to the higher temperature in Sepang. It does look like Williams are set to have a much better season, I wouldn't bet against them being among the points scorers in this weekends race.
The Season Has Just Started and We Are Already Hearing Transfer Rumours
Rumours have been flying around faster than a Formula One car this week about Sergio Perez being linked with a move to Ferrari, to take ovet Feipe Massa's seat. Both drivers have denied these reports as just speculation. Perez has said that he is fully focused on his drive with Sauber, however Sergio is part of the Ferrari young driver programme. Whilst I believe Massa will probably keep his seat, until the end of the season, Perez has driven a Ferrari Formula One car before. Sergio has made it quite clear that he is concentrating on the Malaysian Grand Prix only and would like a second points finish to follow up his 8th place in Melbourne. Perez had an excellent race last weekend, following a gearbox issue he started at the back of the grid. Felipe has also distanced himelf from these reports as he commented to ESPN "I never drove depending on what others think or say about me. I do my job thinking about trying to the best I can the car." How much truth there is in this rumour, I don't know. But it does seem a logical next step for the Mexican if Felipe doesn't improve fast.
And Finally My Thoughts on Malaysia
I'm predicting another win for McLaren. It was obvious that thier car was the best in Australia and that they have, arguably, the best driver line up. The circuit should suit Jenson Button more than Lewis Hamilton, due to the need for a smooth style of driving. However, I do have one surprise up my sleeve and it's been mentioned on here already. There are a couple of long straights at Sepang, and this could give Mercedes a real chance this weekend. Don't be surprised to see at least one Mercedes driver on the podium. I just hope that if it is Schumacher, he keeps his current chilled out peronality and doesn't go back to his old ways. I don't mind admitting, I am beginning to like the new Michael.
Expect to see the Caterham cars further up the field this weekend, mixing it with the midfield. I am thinking Sauber probably won't do as well, as it is more difficult to look after tyres in Sepang.
On Saturday I will be writing my report on Qualifying and then on Sunday will tell you all my opinions and run through all the talking points of the race.
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