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[schumifan]

Im so angry I forgot to record the session. How was it? I see the merc engines did well. Hamy and Button might run away with this one during the race. Hope schumi gets a podium. It's been a while

[vlad]

Ok, from looking in both practice sessions we can clearly see how strong McLaren is. Hamilton is going for a smackdown this weekend. But, times on higher fuel loads are really interesting. There's going to be some battle.

I probably won't be able to write anything here for few days, but, until I come back, I wish you all great time watching the race! We know that this one always rocks!

[racechick]

Lewis top, fast on both tyre types. Webber did lots of full tank race pace and was pretty consistent with the times. Lewis' race pace on full tanks was similar to Webbers's (though he did a lot less ,laps) Vettel complained his tyres were all over the place. Kimmi didnt set a fast time but was up there on race pace.

Anthony Davison was commentating it. Best bit of the SKY package in my opinion.

"I think" to all the above, dont shoot me down if Ive got it wrong, I was only just awake

[Hammer278]

Ok, from looking in both practice sessions we can clearly see how strong McLaren is. Hamilton is going for a smackdown this weekend. But, times on higher fuel loads are really interesting. There's going to be some battle.

I probably won't be able to write anything here for few days, but, until I come back, I wish you all great time watching the race! We know that this one always rocks!

As long as the rain stays away!

[hamilton08]

Great stuff from Hamilton in both sessions so far and Button on getting up there in P2 hopefully this form will make for another 1-2 in Quali

I think this race for anyone not in a McLaren to win well it will have to rain so rain this weekend feels refreshing to not want rain for once

[Ferrari man 009]

Great stuff from Hamilton in both sessions so far and Button on getting up there in P2 hopefully this form will make for another 1-2 in Quali

I think this race for anyone not in a McLaren to win well it will have to rain so rain this weekend feels refreshing to not want rain for once

I think I agree with that, though Schumacher is once again the outsider for a win, and in with a chance of the podium, as is Rosberg, Red Bull and Lotus. Alonso will be in damage limitation mode I would expect and Massa needs to start improving fast.

Looks like the HRT's are going to struggle to make the starting grid, that team is starting to look embarassing. 3rd season and they cant make a car within 7% of the fastest car!

[hamilton08]

Great stuff from Hamilton in both sessions so far and Button on getting up there in P2 hopefully this form will make for another 1-2 in Quali

I think this race for anyone not in a McLaren to win well it will have to rain so rain this weekend feels refreshing to not want rain for once

I think I agree with that, though Schumacher is once again the outsider for a win, and in with a chance of the podium, as is Rosberg, Red Bull and Lotus. Alonso will be in damage limitation mode I would expect and Massa needs to start improving fast.

Looks like the HRT's are going to struggle to make the starting grid, that team is starting to look embarassing. 3rd season and they cant make a car within 7% of the fastest car!

I dont know about Schumacher and Rosberg their pace tends to be mostly from their F Duct type innovation but that only works with DRS. So they always have a faster pace in Quali than the race.

[tpherson]

I dont know about Schumacher and Rosberg their pace tends to be mostly from their F Duct type innovation but that only works with DRS. So they always have a faster pace in Quali than the race.

"Always" seems a bit hard to define since there has been only one race. However, I thouhgt Schumacher was showing decent pace for the short period he was on the track during the race, enough that it wasn't out of the realm that he could have challenged for a podium. I think a 4th place was more realistic for him in Australia, but things can happen. I'll agree Mercedes have an advantage with the DRS F-duct, part of which is lost in the race when its use is limited. I think the jury is still out on this one. I am just glad to see Schumacher at the sharp end of the grid, and clearly keeping up with his teammate so far this year.

[What's Burning?]

After watching practice today, the McLarens look to be tough. Certainly picking up from where they left off in Australia, setting top times on the prime tires while others were jittery on options.

Alonso will be in damage limitation mode I would expect and Massa needs to start improving fast.

Read in a couple of places yesterday rumors of Trulli for a Massa seat replacement mid year.

I think Spanky is avoiding visiting us.

[LRW]

I dont know about Schumacher and Rosberg their pace tends to be mostly from their F Duct type innovation but that only works with DRS. So they always have a faster pace in Quali than the race.

Over the last couple of years, the mercedes engine has always been strong, and good on top end-speed. Add that to the long straights of this circuit, F-duct or no F-duct*, you'd be foolish to write them off for a podium.


*I love the way any device of this type is now know as an F-duct, when the only reason McLaren (the originators of the F-duct) called it this, was the inlet happened to be loctaed where the 'F' of the Vodafone logo was on the car.....but Im sure you all knew that, so really Im just jabbering to myself

[LewEngBridewell]

I'm praying for dry weather. I hate the torrential downpours which put the running of the race under threat.

McLaren on form so far! Hopefully this will continue!!

[geetface9]

I'm praying for dry weather. I hate the torrential downpours which put the running of the race under threat.

Likewise...korea 2010 comes to mind, painfully.

[LewEngBridewell]

I'm praying for dry weather. I hate the torrential downpours which put the running of the race under threat.

Likewise...korea 2010 comes to mind, painfully.

Awww, I know, I know, come here........

[Hammer278]

Massa's response after practice:

"Fernando and I were on rather different programmes from each other and that is the main reason for the difference on the time sheet. In the afternoon in particular, we went in completely different directions which in my case did not work, but at least it allowed me to understand a few important things about the handling of the car. Now my engineers and I know what is the right direction to go in, which makes me feel more optimistic for qualifying compared to how I felt about it last week in Melbourne. Clearly, at the moment, our car is not yet competitive at the highest level. Do I feel any special pressure? No, no more than usual: at Ferrari we are always under pressure. The important thing is to understand what did not work in Melbourne and I think we have everything in hand to do that."

Starts off with an excuse for the difference in performance...Flipper really is feeling the heat. And not just Msian heat either.

BTW Kimster to drop 5 grid places:

http://en.espnf1.com/malaysia/motorspor ... 74021.html

[LewEngBridewell]

BTW Kimster to drop 5 grid places:

http://en.espnf1.com/malaysia/motorspor ... 74021.html

Memories of 2005 coming back to haunt him? This is ballache for Kimi, yet another qualifying sessions gone tits-up.