09 MALAYSIAN GP , NEWS , UPDATES AND RESULTS
04-03-2009, 01:51 AM
#1
Formula One Spin Doctor
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
09 MALAYSIAN GP , NEWS , UPDATES AND RESULTS
Looks like it might be a wet one this weekend gents ....................... 
Concerns surrounding the weather for this weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang are mounting, with forecasts calling for a high chance of rain for Sunday's 56-lap race.
The early build-up to the second round of the 2009 championship has already featured an intense storm. On Monday afternoon, the clouds gathered around the circuit and set off a large thunderstorm, which produced an impressive 76 millimetres of rain between 4pm and 7:30pm. The track quickly became undriveable, with flash-flooding noted on parts of the circuit.
SEPANG FORECAST
Today Hi 33°C / 92°F
T-storms Lo 24°C / 75°F
Tomorrow Hi 30°C / 86°F
T-storms Lo 24°C / 75°F
Sunday Hi 31°C / 88°F
T-storms Lo 24°C / 75°F
Eastern :
Practice 1 Thu 22:00-23:30
Practice 2 Fri 02:00-03:30
Practice 3 Sat 02:00-03:00
Qualifying Sat 05:00-06:00
The Race Sun 05:00-07:00
Rosberg fastest in first Malaysia practice
By Simon Strang Friday, April 3rd 2009, 03:36 GMT
Just as they did in first free practice for the Australian Grand Prix, Nico Rosberg and Kazuki Nakajima stole the top spots in the dying seconds of the opening session in Malaysia.
The Williams drivers waited until the very last lap of the hot and humid 90 minutes to deny the Brawns of Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello from continuing their dominance of Melbourne.
Ferrari's Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen were fifth and sixth, but there was a late scare for the Finn when his cockpit extinguisher fired halfway down the back-straight - it is not known whether this was related to the car's KERS system or not.
As in Australia, there was a lull of 20 minutes before anyone bothered to start lapping sensibly.
But when they did, it was Raikkonen that got the ball rolling, running timed laps immediately after his installation lap.
The Finn's initial mark was almost immediately eclipsed by Nakajima's Williams, and the two traded times at the top until Massa beat them both with a 1:37.343 after 40 minutes.
Not wishing to miss out, Rosberg, the star of Melbourne free practice, immediately replaced Massa at the top, but by this stage Button was out on track and hunting down the German's time.
Button's first attempt was 0.16 seconds shy of Rosberg, but by the hour mark he was on top with a lap of 1:36.676. He improved that to a 1:36.430, which looked good enough to give him the top spot until Williams denied him late-on.
Behind the Brawns, Williams and Ferraris is Lewis Hamilton in seventh, having enjoyed a reasonably competitive session, less than half a second away from the ultimate pace - although both he and McLaren team-mate Heikki Kovalainen ended the session in the pits with their cars being worked on.
The Finn in particular only completed seven laps and ended the session at the bottom of the timesheet.
Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel were eighth and ninth for Red Bull, followed by the Toyotas of Timo Glock and Jarno Trulli. Giancarlo Fisichella put in a feisty performance to go 12th.
There was plenty of incident as well. Other than Raikkonen's dramas, Nelson Piquet spun into the gravel at Turn 6 when something appeared to fall off the front of his Renault car.
Trulli, Fisichella, Robert Kubica, Glock, Sebastien Bourdais, Massa, Hamilton and Fernando Alonso all either had spins or off-track excursions.
Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) 1:36.260 + 27
2. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) 1:36.305 + 0.045 25
3. Button Brawn GP-Mercedes (B) 1:36.430 + 0.170 20
4. Barrichello Brawn GP-Mercedes (B) 1:36.487 + 0.227 22
5. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:36.561 + 0.301 21
6. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:36.646 + 0.386 18
7. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:36.699 + 0.439 16
8. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:36.703 + 0.443 23
9. Vettel Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:36.747 + 0.487 25
10. Glock Toyota (B) 1:36.980 + 0.720 27
11. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:36.982 + 0.722 26
12. Fisichella Force India-Mercedes (B) 1:37.025 + 0.765 20
13. Kubica BMW Sauber (B) 1:37.039 + 0.779 18
14. Piquet Renault (B) 1:37.199 + 0.939 20
15. Sutil Force India-Mercedes (B) 1:37.241 + 0.981 18
16. Alonso Renault (B) 1:37.395 + 1.135 12
17. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:37.634 + 1.374 22
18. Heidfeld BMW Sauber (B) 1:37.640 + 1.380 17
19. Bourdais Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:38.022 + 1.762 19
20. Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:38.483 + 2.223 7
Concerns surrounding the weather for this weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang are mounting, with forecasts calling for a high chance of rain for Sunday's 56-lap race.
The early build-up to the second round of the 2009 championship has already featured an intense storm. On Monday afternoon, the clouds gathered around the circuit and set off a large thunderstorm, which produced an impressive 76 millimetres of rain between 4pm and 7:30pm. The track quickly became undriveable, with flash-flooding noted on parts of the circuit.
SEPANG FORECAST
Today Hi 33°C / 92°F
T-storms Lo 24°C / 75°F
Tomorrow Hi 30°C / 86°F
T-storms Lo 24°C / 75°F
Sunday Hi 31°C / 88°F
T-storms Lo 24°C / 75°F
Eastern :
Practice 1 Thu 22:00-23:30
Practice 2 Fri 02:00-03:30
Practice 3 Sat 02:00-03:00
Qualifying Sat 05:00-06:00
The Race Sun 05:00-07:00
Rosberg fastest in first Malaysia practice
By Simon Strang Friday, April 3rd 2009, 03:36 GMT
Just as they did in first free practice for the Australian Grand Prix, Nico Rosberg and Kazuki Nakajima stole the top spots in the dying seconds of the opening session in Malaysia.
The Williams drivers waited until the very last lap of the hot and humid 90 minutes to deny the Brawns of Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello from continuing their dominance of Melbourne.
Ferrari's Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen were fifth and sixth, but there was a late scare for the Finn when his cockpit extinguisher fired halfway down the back-straight - it is not known whether this was related to the car's KERS system or not.
As in Australia, there was a lull of 20 minutes before anyone bothered to start lapping sensibly.
But when they did, it was Raikkonen that got the ball rolling, running timed laps immediately after his installation lap.
The Finn's initial mark was almost immediately eclipsed by Nakajima's Williams, and the two traded times at the top until Massa beat them both with a 1:37.343 after 40 minutes.
Not wishing to miss out, Rosberg, the star of Melbourne free practice, immediately replaced Massa at the top, but by this stage Button was out on track and hunting down the German's time.
Button's first attempt was 0.16 seconds shy of Rosberg, but by the hour mark he was on top with a lap of 1:36.676. He improved that to a 1:36.430, which looked good enough to give him the top spot until Williams denied him late-on.
Behind the Brawns, Williams and Ferraris is Lewis Hamilton in seventh, having enjoyed a reasonably competitive session, less than half a second away from the ultimate pace - although both he and McLaren team-mate Heikki Kovalainen ended the session in the pits with their cars being worked on.
The Finn in particular only completed seven laps and ended the session at the bottom of the timesheet.
Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel were eighth and ninth for Red Bull, followed by the Toyotas of Timo Glock and Jarno Trulli. Giancarlo Fisichella put in a feisty performance to go 12th.
There was plenty of incident as well. Other than Raikkonen's dramas, Nelson Piquet spun into the gravel at Turn 6 when something appeared to fall off the front of his Renault car.
Trulli, Fisichella, Robert Kubica, Glock, Sebastien Bourdais, Massa, Hamilton and Fernando Alonso all either had spins or off-track excursions.
Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) 1:36.260 + 27
2. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) 1:36.305 + 0.045 25
3. Button Brawn GP-Mercedes (B) 1:36.430 + 0.170 20
4. Barrichello Brawn GP-Mercedes (B) 1:36.487 + 0.227 22
5. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:36.561 + 0.301 21
6. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:36.646 + 0.386 18
7. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:36.699 + 0.439 16
8. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:36.703 + 0.443 23
9. Vettel Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:36.747 + 0.487 25
10. Glock Toyota (B) 1:36.980 + 0.720 27
11. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:36.982 + 0.722 26
12. Fisichella Force India-Mercedes (B) 1:37.025 + 0.765 20
13. Kubica BMW Sauber (B) 1:37.039 + 0.779 18
14. Piquet Renault (B) 1:37.199 + 0.939 20
15. Sutil Force India-Mercedes (B) 1:37.241 + 0.981 18
16. Alonso Renault (B) 1:37.395 + 1.135 12
17. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:37.634 + 1.374 22
18. Heidfeld BMW Sauber (B) 1:37.640 + 1.380 17
19. Bourdais Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:38.022 + 1.762 19
20. Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:38.483 + 2.223 7
04-03-2009, 01:54 AM
#3
Formula One Spin Doctor
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Whitmarsh says McLaren did not lie
By Jonathan Noble Thursday, April 2nd 2009, 11:28 GMT
McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh is adamant that his team and Lewis Hamilton did not 'lie' to race stewards about their safety car incident with Jarno Trulli at the Australian Grand Prix - despite being punished for providing ‘deliberately misleading' information.
With Hamilton being stripped on Thursday of his third-placed finish in Melbourne for he and the team failing to provide a full account of what happened in the closing stages of the Australian Grand Prix, Whitmarsh says there should be no questions about his team's honesty.
"There was no lie in that hearing," said Whitmarsh, who claims the team's error at the hearing was in not providing full information about a radio conversation with Hamilton instructing him to let Trulli overtake him.
"We, the team, made a mistake. We did not provide a full account of a radio conversation which we believe was being listened to in any case, and we don't believe was material to the decisions being made by the stewards."
Whitmarsh confirmed comments made by Hamilton in the immediate aftermath of the race that the team instructed its driver to let Trulli pass him.
Explaining exactly what happened after Hamilton overtook Trulli, when the Toyota driver ran off the track at the final corner, Whitmarsh said McLaren had been trying to play it safe.
"As we see it, what happened here is that during the closing stages of the Australian Grand Prix, under difficult conditions, there was a safety car incident whereby Jarno Trulli fell off the circuit and Lewis [Hamilton] could legitimately pass Trulli. I don't think that is in question," he explained.
"Once that had happened, of course, the team could not see it. Lewis informed the team that he had passed Trulli – and there was understandably concern within the team that he had passed Trulli under a safety car.
"At that time, we did not know that Trulli was right off the circuit and Lewis was asked to give back the place to Trulli. That was a team view, having not seen it, and we thought it was the safest thing to do.
"Once that instruction was given to Lewis, he did not agree. He said: ‘Look, the guy was off the circuit, I didn't need to do this.' A discussion was occurring and before that discussion was finished, Trulli had re-passed. If we look at the speed traces at that time, and compare it to other periods behind the safety car, then Lewis did not do anything abnormal. And I think it is also quite clear that Trulli should not have re-passed.
"As soon as that happened, we then spoke to Race Control, to explain that and ask if we could retake that place. At the time, understandably Race Control was busy and they were not able to give us an answer. We asked several times, but clearly they were very busy. So we had to then deal with it. We felt it would be resolved by the stewards after the race.
"At the stewards' meeting, we mistakenly believed that the stewards were aware, Charlie [Whiting] was there, and the FIA was there, of that radio conversation. The stewards now believe that we were not explicit enough about that radio conversation, and felt therefore that that was prejudicial to the decision that they reached. Obviously we regret that, and that was a mistake by the team, but we have got to accept the decision that has now been made."
McLaren has decided not to appeal the stewards' decision, which promoted Trulli to the third place that Hamilton originally had in Australia.
Whitmarsh added: "I think it is a regrettable day, and the fact is, the belief is, that we were not explicit. But I don't believe that that information would have made any difference to the decisions and the deliberations at the time.
"It certainly was not a deliberate attempt. It is quite clear that the radio conversations are listened to by the FIA, they are open, and the FIA was present during that hearing. So in the opinion of the team representative, there was a belief that it was known and there had been a conversation with the FIA."
Hamilton was unavailable for comment, having left the track shortly after the FIA decision was made.
The FIA said Hamilton and McLaren could face further sanctions for the breach of article 151C.
Mclaren and Renault should be walking on eggs about now ................................
"If they come in here with a gun and hold it to my head, they had better be sure they can ****ing pull the trigger. And they should make sure it's got bullets in it because, if they miss, they better look out," Ecclestone warned.
McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh is adamant that his team and Lewis Hamilton did not 'lie' to race stewards about their safety car incident with Jarno Trulli at the Australian Grand Prix - despite being punished for providing ‘deliberately misleading' information.
With Hamilton being stripped on Thursday of his third-placed finish in Melbourne for he and the team failing to provide a full account of what happened in the closing stages of the Australian Grand Prix, Whitmarsh says there should be no questions about his team's honesty.
"There was no lie in that hearing," said Whitmarsh, who claims the team's error at the hearing was in not providing full information about a radio conversation with Hamilton instructing him to let Trulli overtake him.
"We, the team, made a mistake. We did not provide a full account of a radio conversation which we believe was being listened to in any case, and we don't believe was material to the decisions being made by the stewards."
Whitmarsh confirmed comments made by Hamilton in the immediate aftermath of the race that the team instructed its driver to let Trulli pass him.
Explaining exactly what happened after Hamilton overtook Trulli, when the Toyota driver ran off the track at the final corner, Whitmarsh said McLaren had been trying to play it safe.
"As we see it, what happened here is that during the closing stages of the Australian Grand Prix, under difficult conditions, there was a safety car incident whereby Jarno Trulli fell off the circuit and Lewis [Hamilton] could legitimately pass Trulli. I don't think that is in question," he explained.
"Once that had happened, of course, the team could not see it. Lewis informed the team that he had passed Trulli – and there was understandably concern within the team that he had passed Trulli under a safety car.
"At that time, we did not know that Trulli was right off the circuit and Lewis was asked to give back the place to Trulli. That was a team view, having not seen it, and we thought it was the safest thing to do.
"Once that instruction was given to Lewis, he did not agree. He said: ‘Look, the guy was off the circuit, I didn't need to do this.' A discussion was occurring and before that discussion was finished, Trulli had re-passed. If we look at the speed traces at that time, and compare it to other periods behind the safety car, then Lewis did not do anything abnormal. And I think it is also quite clear that Trulli should not have re-passed.
"As soon as that happened, we then spoke to Race Control, to explain that and ask if we could retake that place. At the time, understandably Race Control was busy and they were not able to give us an answer. We asked several times, but clearly they were very busy. So we had to then deal with it. We felt it would be resolved by the stewards after the race.
"At the stewards' meeting, we mistakenly believed that the stewards were aware, Charlie [Whiting] was there, and the FIA was there, of that radio conversation. The stewards now believe that we were not explicit enough about that radio conversation, and felt therefore that that was prejudicial to the decision that they reached. Obviously we regret that, and that was a mistake by the team, but we have got to accept the decision that has now been made."
McLaren has decided not to appeal the stewards' decision, which promoted Trulli to the third place that Hamilton originally had in Australia.
Whitmarsh added: "I think it is a regrettable day, and the fact is, the belief is, that we were not explicit. But I don't believe that that information would have made any difference to the decisions and the deliberations at the time.
"It certainly was not a deliberate attempt. It is quite clear that the radio conversations are listened to by the FIA, they are open, and the FIA was present during that hearing. So in the opinion of the team representative, there was a belief that it was known and there had been a conversation with the FIA."
Hamilton was unavailable for comment, having left the track shortly after the FIA decision was made.
The FIA said Hamilton and McLaren could face further sanctions for the breach of article 151C.
Mclaren and Renault should be walking on eggs about now ................................
"If they come in here with a gun and hold it to my head, they had better be sure they can ****ing pull the trigger. And they should make sure it's got bullets in it because, if they miss, they better look out," Ecclestone warned.
04-03-2009, 02:13 AM
#4
Ironman 140.6
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Sounds like Whitmarsh is in full on "spin" mode....
It is what it is and from what I have read it looks like they clearly sought to mislead the race stewards.
It is what it is and from what I have read it looks like they clearly sought to mislead the race stewards.
04-03-2009, 09:13 AM
#7
King of Cool
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Nice move from McLaren to throw Dave Ryan under the bus for this...
He's been at McLaren since 1974.
Trending Topics
04-03-2009, 09:36 AM
#8
Guru
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Rennlist Small
Business Sponsor
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Rennlist Small
Business Sponsor
I am in Japan at the moment and have been away from the news of late, just learned this McLaren news today at the track. Amazing turn of events. I heard he was suspended DURING first practice. Wow!
04-03-2009, 12:41 PM
#9
User
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Sterling, MA
Posts: 1,467
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
04-03-2009, 12:42 PM
#10
King of Cool
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
04-03-2009, 04:19 PM
#11
The Rebel
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
McLaren has gone from team to **** in no time flat!
04-03-2009, 05:49 PM
#12
Formula One Spin Doctor
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
We are picking up the pieces .... come along now Brothers 
Caveat emptor ?
The rules state Tuilli cannot pass another competitor while behind the safety car
The rules state lewis can pass another competitor if he is off the track ..
Both did the above , regardless of what lewis told the FIA about Pete and Stumpy when it happened ..
Mucho de nada ......
Menos pasar !
Fined and pegged , less move on !
In more news today Argentina was pegged 6-1 by Bolivia ................
.
They picking up the pieces , now back to your local F1 programming ......
Ferrari duo on top in second practice
By Simon Strang Friday, April 3rd 2009, 07:31 GMT
Kimi Raikkonen led a Ferrari resurgence in the second free practice session at Sepang ahead of this weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix.
Having recovered from the smoky cockpit dramas of the morning, the Finn eclipsed team-mate Felipe Massa, setting the fastest lap of the weekend so far - 1:35.707.
It wasn't a trouble-free session for the Finn though, as the team came over the radio at the end of the session reporting a problem with his Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS).
Sebastian Vettel confirmed Red Bull's growing potential in third, while Nico Rosberg was fourth for Williams.
Unlike the first session in Malaysia, the teams got cracking straight away as dark clouds gathered and the omnipresent threat of monsoon conditions loomed.
McLaren wasted no time, having lost a great deal of it in the garage in the first 90 minutes, and Heikki Kovalainen was the first to go fastest, swiftly followed by Massa.
Within five minutes, 19 cars were on track and before long, Vettel, Kazuki Nakajima, Giancarlo Fisichella, Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton had all enjoyed a spell at the top of the times.
The carousel effect continued through the first half of the session as Jarno Trulli and Adrian Sutil also shot to the top.
Forty minutes in, though, and Nakajima thumped in a fast one – 1:36.34. It was another ten minutes before Vettel eclipsed that.
But as clouds continued to gather, though they never produced more than a few spots of rain, with half an hour to go, Ferrari, having already suggested that Sepang might suit it better than Melbourne, turned up the wick.
Massa went out and set three consecutive laps faster than anyone had done all weekend, ending the sequence with an exceptional 1:35.832. Only to then see Raikkonen go faster still with a 1:35.706. No one got near that.
Behind Vettel and Rosberg, who both improved late-on, was Mark Webber. Rubens Barrichello was the fastest of the Brawns ahead of team-mate Jenson Button.
Nakajima eventually dropped down to ninth ahead of Nelson Piquet – who led Renault's challenge with Fernando Alonso limiting his running due to his ear infection.
Once again several cars ran off track, but none more seriously than Giancarlo Fisichella who swiped his Force India against the barrier at Turn 10.
It was a shame for the Italian who had shown strongly during the session, but ended the it 19th.
Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:35.707 40
2. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:35.832 + 0.125 38
3. Vettel Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:35.954 + 0.247 40
4. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) 1:36.015 + 0.308 39
5. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:36.026 + 0.319 36
6. Barrichello Brawn-Mercedes (B) 1:36.161 + 0.454 37
7. Button Brawn-Mercedes (B) 1:36.254 + 0.547 31
8. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) 1:36.290 + 0.583 35
9. Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:36.397 + 0.690 40
10. Piquet Renault (B) 1:36.401 + 0.694 35
11. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:36.515 + 0.808 30
12. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:36.516 + 0.809 34
13. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:36.628 + 0.921 32
14. Glock Toyota (B) 1:36.639 + 0.932 29
15. Alonso Renault (B) 1:36.640 + 0.933 20
16. Sutil Force India-Mercedes (B) 1:36.875 + 1.168 36
17. Kubica BMW-Sauber (B) 1:37.267 + 1.560 38
18. Bourdais Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:37.278 + 1.571 30
19. Fisichella Force India-Mercedes (B) 1:37.432 + 1.725 27
20. Heidfeld BMW-Sauber (B) 1:37.930 + 2.223 37
All Timing Unofficial
Caveat emptor ?
The rules state Tuilli cannot pass another competitor while behind the safety car
The rules state lewis can pass another competitor if he is off the track ..
Both did the above , regardless of what lewis told the FIA about Pete and Stumpy when it happened ..
Mucho de nada ......
Menos pasar !
Fined and pegged , less move on !
In more news today Argentina was pegged 6-1 by Bolivia ................
.They picking up the pieces , now back to your local F1 programming ......
Ferrari duo on top in second practice
By Simon Strang Friday, April 3rd 2009, 07:31 GMT
Kimi Raikkonen led a Ferrari resurgence in the second free practice session at Sepang ahead of this weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix.
Having recovered from the smoky cockpit dramas of the morning, the Finn eclipsed team-mate Felipe Massa, setting the fastest lap of the weekend so far - 1:35.707.
It wasn't a trouble-free session for the Finn though, as the team came over the radio at the end of the session reporting a problem with his Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS).
Sebastian Vettel confirmed Red Bull's growing potential in third, while Nico Rosberg was fourth for Williams.
Unlike the first session in Malaysia, the teams got cracking straight away as dark clouds gathered and the omnipresent threat of monsoon conditions loomed.
McLaren wasted no time, having lost a great deal of it in the garage in the first 90 minutes, and Heikki Kovalainen was the first to go fastest, swiftly followed by Massa.
Within five minutes, 19 cars were on track and before long, Vettel, Kazuki Nakajima, Giancarlo Fisichella, Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton had all enjoyed a spell at the top of the times.
The carousel effect continued through the first half of the session as Jarno Trulli and Adrian Sutil also shot to the top.
Forty minutes in, though, and Nakajima thumped in a fast one – 1:36.34. It was another ten minutes before Vettel eclipsed that.
But as clouds continued to gather, though they never produced more than a few spots of rain, with half an hour to go, Ferrari, having already suggested that Sepang might suit it better than Melbourne, turned up the wick.
Massa went out and set three consecutive laps faster than anyone had done all weekend, ending the sequence with an exceptional 1:35.832. Only to then see Raikkonen go faster still with a 1:35.706. No one got near that.
Behind Vettel and Rosberg, who both improved late-on, was Mark Webber. Rubens Barrichello was the fastest of the Brawns ahead of team-mate Jenson Button.
Nakajima eventually dropped down to ninth ahead of Nelson Piquet – who led Renault's challenge with Fernando Alonso limiting his running due to his ear infection.
Once again several cars ran off track, but none more seriously than Giancarlo Fisichella who swiped his Force India against the barrier at Turn 10.
It was a shame for the Italian who had shown strongly during the session, but ended the it 19th.
Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:35.707 40
2. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:35.832 + 0.125 38
3. Vettel Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:35.954 + 0.247 40
4. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) 1:36.015 + 0.308 39
5. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:36.026 + 0.319 36
6. Barrichello Brawn-Mercedes (B) 1:36.161 + 0.454 37
7. Button Brawn-Mercedes (B) 1:36.254 + 0.547 31
8. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) 1:36.290 + 0.583 35
9. Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:36.397 + 0.690 40
10. Piquet Renault (B) 1:36.401 + 0.694 35
11. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:36.515 + 0.808 30
12. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:36.516 + 0.809 34
13. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:36.628 + 0.921 32
14. Glock Toyota (B) 1:36.639 + 0.932 29
15. Alonso Renault (B) 1:36.640 + 0.933 20
16. Sutil Force India-Mercedes (B) 1:36.875 + 1.168 36
17. Kubica BMW-Sauber (B) 1:37.267 + 1.560 38
18. Bourdais Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:37.278 + 1.571 30
19. Fisichella Force India-Mercedes (B) 1:37.432 + 1.725 27
20. Heidfeld BMW-Sauber (B) 1:37.930 + 2.223 37
All Timing Unofficial
04-03-2009, 06:44 PM
#13
Formula One Spin Doctor
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Alonso struggling with fitness
By Edd Straw Friday, April 3rd 2009, 09:19 GMT
Fernando AlonsoDouble world champion Fernando Alonso believes he will be only 90 per cent fit for tomorrow's Malaysian Grand Prix qualifying session after being hit by an ear infection.
Although the Renault driver is confident that he will be at full strength by the time the race starts on Sunday, he was forced to restrict himself to just 32 laps in Friday practice - fewer than any other driver.
"Tomorrow in qualifying I will be 90 per cent and Sunday hopefully 100 per cent," he said of his health. "The team doctor and physios are looking after my health, so I'm in good hands.
"I have an infection in my ear, a temperature and am not feeling very well from two days ago. Today we tried to do the minimum number of laps to not lose too much water. The race is on Sunday, so we tried to do some set-up work but it's very light."
Alonso added that despite the team struggling in practice, he expects a better performance from the Renault R29 in qualifying and the race.
"There is more to come from our car," he said. "We need to find a better set-up. We tested some interesting things today, so tomorrow we need to put everything together."
Fernando AlonsoDouble world champion Fernando Alonso believes he will be only 90 per cent fit for tomorrow's Malaysian Grand Prix qualifying session after being hit by an ear infection.
Although the Renault driver is confident that he will be at full strength by the time the race starts on Sunday, he was forced to restrict himself to just 32 laps in Friday practice - fewer than any other driver.
"Tomorrow in qualifying I will be 90 per cent and Sunday hopefully 100 per cent," he said of his health. "The team doctor and physios are looking after my health, so I'm in good hands.
"I have an infection in my ear, a temperature and am not feeling very well from two days ago. Today we tried to do the minimum number of laps to not lose too much water. The race is on Sunday, so we tried to do some set-up work but it's very light."
Alonso added that despite the team struggling in practice, he expects a better performance from the Renault R29 in qualifying and the race.
"There is more to come from our car," he said. "We need to find a better set-up. We tested some interesting things today, so tomorrow we need to put everything together."
04-04-2009, 10:23 AM
#14
King of Cool
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Man,
Button again 1st and big teams (Ferrari, McLaren & Renault) sucking *****... Where are all Barichello praisers, Button is kickin' ***!
Awesome to see Vettel up there although knowing Newey, it's not surprise to see his car "shine" when the (aero) rules have changed. And of course Jarno, one of the nicest guys in F1, he deserves this.
It's great overall that there are different names up there, this will get F, Mc & R scrambling with their development, diffusor is No. 1 on their list but it's not all that.
Williams looks to be doing good as well. Obviously once everyone gets their diffusers, playing field will get more even, it looks like this will be a great season!
Button again 1st and big teams (Ferrari, McLaren & Renault) sucking *****... Where are all Barichello praisers, Button is kickin' ***!
Awesome to see Vettel up there although knowing Newey, it's not surprise to see his car "shine" when the (aero) rules have changed. And of course Jarno, one of the nicest guys in F1, he deserves this.
It's great overall that there are different names up there, this will get F, Mc & R scrambling with their development, diffusor is No. 1 on their list but it's not all that.
Williams looks to be doing good as well. Obviously once everyone gets their diffusers, playing field will get more even, it looks like this will be a great season!
04-04-2009, 10:35 AM
#15
Super Moderator
Needs More Cowbell
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Needs More Cowbell
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
I didn't see Williams using their pneumatic front wing jack in Australia.
They have been the only team using one, I wonder if the change to the new front wing had something to do with it or if there was another reason.
They have been the only team using one, I wonder if the change to the new front wing had something to do with it or if there was another reason.