Malaysian Grand Prix

Nice work from Fisi and the Renault crew...

Kimi, more bad luck!!

Jenson, more overhyped nonsense of someone who's either not capable or seriously has always been in the wrong car at the right time.

Michael, poor finish to end up not only behind Massa but also amongst the general middle-low runners of F1. The reintroduction of tyre changing almost seems to be having the opposite (of the intended) effect on race results so far.

Jacques V,.. getting a few points for BMW, nice work... But even now they have their own team they're STILL having regular engine failures. Maybe sticking with Williams might have been the better (and cheaper) choice.

Rob W

Agree with all you said Rob.


I can't believe Kimi's luck.


I hope that the Cosworth become reliable and maintain pace as Nico Rosberg appears to have the X factor.

Button, on the other hand, doesn't.

He unfortunately just can't seem to win. And Honda feel they have the best driver lineup in F1? Hah!!
The two drivers on the grid that have taken the longest to register wins (and one them is still waiting!!!)

I disagree. I think Button has all the qualities needed to be a champ.

I really do think he needs the right car under him. A move to McLaren or the like may be just what he needs.....

As I menationed a while back... Ferrari have been caught cheating once again. Their flexy-wing was run at both Bahrain and Malaysia and has been protested by all other teams (except Redbull who run a Ferrari engine/gearbox).

The rules clearly state "no movable aerodynamic devices". But somehow they've managed to forget that part of the rules, even after they were suspected of doing the same about two/three years ago when Michaels barge boards fell off during a race (they were too flexible under high speed).

Especially after tyre changing was brough back in solely to benefit Ferrari. What next?

Rob W

Oh the conspiracies

There is a HUGE difference between outright cheating and using the grey area of the regulations to your benefit. F1 has always been like this, its nothing new.

As with hondas fuel tank last year. Sure the FIA decided it wasnt legit and punished them for it but there is no way the team would blatantly cheat as they know the likelyhood of scrutineering is high. They chose to try and push the wording of the regulations a bit too far and paid the price but this is what ALL F1 teams have to do in order to find a minute advantage.

So many teams have run/continue to run minor flexible aerodynamic devices, its all about interpretation of the rules. And obviously, many teams are pushing as far as they can. It wouldnt be F1 if they werent.

both renault and mclarens rear wings have been under scrutiny this year too but oh no, ferrari are the only ones cheating

And the tyre changing had nothing to do with ferrari, remember indy?

And expect to see a performance increase for bridgestone once they get back to cooler tracks again.

Roll on melbourne

stuff sky for publlishling wrong start times - missed first 20 laps

The Ferrari case is a pure case of cheating (as was the BAR fuel tank one). Making the aero devices so they don't bend under load is one of the most explicitly clear parts of the F1 rules. The teams DO know they're breaking the rules, but know that the chance of being scrutineered closely on every part is highly unlikely.

As for the tyres.. how does last year's Indy come into it? From the two people I know who work in F1 (one at Rebull, one at BAR/Honda) and many others the tyre changing thing was reintroduced because of Bridgestones inability to make a tyre which truly lasted the distance. In short, they were made a mockery of by Michelin in general. This is a major reason why Michelin is leaving.

Remember, under the old system Ferrari got Bridgestone's research/testing all to themselves with a massive benefit, despite many of their practices being against the intention of the rules. Until Michelin entered F1 tyre development was slow as hell... they changed that massively, to the point that it was looking like Bridgestone couldn't compete... so a few dinners with Max Mosely and suddenly it's in F1's interest to run one tyre for all so that tyres don't ruin the competition. Wierd considering that was the reason they moved to two tyre manufacturers in the first place.

Basically, the rule changes of this season have all be in Ferrari's favour. Some other teams will benefit for sure, but not on all levels. Most importantly, McLaren and Renault have their development gaps closed by the rule changes.

Any F1 expert can attest to the fact that this season's rule changes generally suit Ferrari more than anyone else.

So, now.. what were you saying about conspiracy theories being just theories?

Rob W

Oh the conspiraciy theories

Controversy about alleged 'illegal' wings lingered on even after the chequered flag at Sepang.

Although compromise and concessions were reportedly on the table, it is not certain that Ferrari will agree to change its supposedly 'flexible' front and rear wings, with Ross Brawn even denying that there is anything wrong with the current FIA tests.

''If you want to win you've got to maximise the set of regulations you have,'' said the technical director. ''You don't play it safe.''

Team boss Jean Todt elected not to comment, but he did deny that any backroom 'deals' had been brokered, adding: ''Ask me in Melbourne.
''

The fact is, post-race scrutineers affirmed the legality of the '248' car by officialising the outcome of the Malaysian Grand Prix. Moreover, at least two other teams are apparently also running similarly dubious designs.

Taken from f1-live.com

The ONLY reason all of the teams didn't cry foul and demand official action was that some were likely doing the same thing - NOT because Ferrari were in the clear rules-wise.

There is a big difference.

Rob W

You have to remember, almost all rule breaches/bendings are discovered by other teams, not the scrutineers.

This was the case with BAR's slush tanks last year.. another team dropped a hint to the scrutineers.. and, almost certainly the case with Ferrari's flexy-wing.

A few other teams would be doing similar things I'll bet... so they can't really jump on the protest band-wagon too hard or they'll cop it too.

From hearing about F1 stories from the people I know, the top teams often know things about each other and develop a sort of stalemate where they don't complain about each other's 'ideas' unless they start being obviously a big advantage and can't be copied/mimicked.

This scenario actually almost spurns more aerodynamic developements and lateral thinking than if teams were always dobbing each other in.

Rob W

Ferrari, mclaren and sauber are all bringing new wings to melbourne. As part of development, not legality.

I just laugh hard at the fact people concentrate on ferrari like they are the villian when EVERY team pushes the envelope constantly in regards to rule interpretation.

10 sleeps to go

Every team has aero updates. Front wings especailly since it's THE most important aero device. And especially since no front wing will suit all tracks. the legality aspect of it is usually besides the point in that case.

In this case though Ferrari were bending the rules. It's not a scenario where people single them out (last year BAR got caught) over rule interpretations - which is code for "we don't interpret them the way everyone else agrees on".

And Ferrari have been given huge leeway on many occassions over incidents which clearly gave them an advantage. These range from having oversized barge boards a few years ago, to having a special Ferrari/Michael batch of tyres from Bridgestone etc. But plenty of teams have been pinged for other stuff in this time too (Mclaren for removing an engine seal..etc)

But, my point above was. The rules are often changed in a fashion which would seem to suit Ferrari particularly, and is a major sticking point with other teams. I can't think of a rule change yet in recent years (a decade) which has been to the disadvantage of Ferrari, but there are dozens which have hurt McLaren, Williams etc. (I'll even list some if you like)

There is a reason why, and it's not conspiracy theory or paranoia. Well, not totally :p

Rob W

It goes on and on. If you ask anyone who's been in F1 long enough you'll understand completely why Ron Dennis etc are fighting for more say in the new Concord agreement. And why the teams are sick of constant rule changes at the whim of Max which often all of the teams, bar one or two, hate.

Rob W

You have your opinion and I have mine, neither of us are going to agree on these issues but I sure am enjoying talking to someone who knows more than the colour of the cars etc.

Busy day planned, will be back for more of the Rob W and Mr ree show next week

I echo those sentiments. Not many people watch f1 here let alone know anything about it in great detail.

my mates lol at my f1 addiction, im just glad they havent seen how many videos of it i have

A lot of people just don't understand. Especially with the fact we stay up till 2am to watch it!!

My love comes from watching the Senna/Prost/Mansell battles when I was growing up in the Uk.

Ha ha.. One of the only things that annoys me is if something prevents me from watching a race live.



Rob W

It is just not the same watching a replay is it.

You can just tell it isn't live.

Indeed... thats the best thing about sky picking it up now is that we get all 18 races LIVE.

The worst is, as originally feared... the presenter

two hours to go and im off to melbourne cant wait.

hear the scream of an f1 car live

you lucky c**t, i bet they sound like a toyota prius at idle

Have fun

wow those cars are unreal

if you have never seen them live put it on a list of things to do.

got some great pics will try and post them