2003 Malaysian Grand Prix

qualifying 1 results :D

P. No Driver Team - Engine Tyres Times Ave/Gaps Laps
1. 1 M.SCHUMACHER Ferrari B 1'34"980 210.095 Km/h 3
2. 2 BARRICHELLO Ferrari B 1'35"681 + 0'00"701 3
3. 3 MONTOYA Williams BMW M 1'35"939 + 0'00"959 3
4. 6 RAIKKONEN McLaren Mercedes M 1'36"038 + 0'01"058 3
5. 5 COULTHARD McLaren Mercedes M 1'36"297 + 0'01"317 3
6. 7 TRULLI Renault M 1'36"301 + 0'01"321 3
7. 9 HEIDFELD Sauber Petronas B 1'36"407 + 0'01"427 3
8. 10 FRENTZEN Sauber Petronas B 1'36"615 + 0'01"635 3
9. 17 BUTTON BAR Honda B 1'36"632 + 0'01"652 3
10. 8 ALONSO Renault M 1'36"693 + 0'01"713 3
11. 21 DA MATTA Toyota M 1'36"706 + 0'01"726 3
12. 11 FISICHELLA Jordan Ford B 1'36"759 + 0'01"779 3
13. 4 R.SCHUMACHER Williams BMW M 1'36"805 + 0'01"825 3
14. 20 PANIS Toyota M 1'36"995 + 0'02"015 3
15. 16 VILLENEUVE BAR Honda B 1'37"585 + 0'02"605 3
16. 14 WEBBER Jaguar Cosworth M 1'37"669 + 0'02"689 3
17. 12 FIRMAN Jordan Ford B 1'38"240 + 0'03"260 3
18. 19 VERSTAPPEN Minardi Cosworth B 1'38"904 + 0'03"924 3
19. 18 WILSON Minardi Cosworth B 1'39"354 + 0'04"374 3

Another Ferrari 1-2, and this time MS is miles ahead of everyone. Out to have revenge for Australia? :)

Though the important session comes tomorrow (not sure whether to call it qualifying 2 or the first 3 laps of the race ...)

hmmm
scary as ferrari's 2002 car is still so competitive... whats wrong the the other teams, are they just lazy??? :)

Michael showing how to drive the car at the Sepang circuit. Both bargeborads attached :D

http://www.pitpass.com/images/gallery/malaysia03/friday/schumacherheadonmal03f.jpg

Pizzonia showing the opposinte. Strangely, both bargeboards also intact :lol2:

http://www.pitpass.com/images/gallery/malaysia03/friday/pizzoniawingdamagemal03f.jpg

-'Rubens, shut up and drive!!!' :D

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/555166diapo_157.jpg

Ermmm... Eddie.... I seem to be experiencing camber problems...

ON a serious side, note the new sponsor EJ signed up. http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/images/icons/icon14.gif

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/164712diapo_157.jpg

It seems it always rains in Sepang and some is predicted for this race. We may have to wait another race or two to get a true idea of how the new rules are affecting things.:)

OMG!!!!!!!

Two Renaults on front row with Alonso on pole!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MS third, then DC, Rubens, heitfeld, Kimi, JPM.

The thing is, will the Renaults pit on lap 2 or 3 tomorrow? :):):)

Originally posted by ales
OMG!!!!!!!

Two Renaults on front row with Alonso on pole!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MS third, then DC, Rubens, heitfeld, Kimi, JPM.

The thing is, will the Renaults pit on lap 2 or 3 tomorrow? :):):)

Whoo!
Just watched it too; GO ALONSO!
hehe; that's true thought;

Either Renault improved alot since Australia, or they're running light. I think its the latter, too bad.

Toyota faired well I thought; and as for BAR, Button sure showed Jacques...muhauaha

Pure speculation on my part and possibly completely wrong but there is the chance that this result is down to one of the few good rule changes Max made for this year.

Tyre manufacturesrs now are allowed to provide each team with their own bespoke tyre compounds and construction. That means possibly all the teams are on different tyres. For example the Michelins on the Renaults might be completely different from those used by McLaren.

This raises the possibility that through clever prediction or just sheer dumb luck one team may bring along just the right tyre to give them the edge at a particular track. Maybe this is what Renault have managed? Might just be an advantage over one lap in those exact weather conditions during qualifiying and not translate at all to the race.

Interesting, then again they may do like Raikkonen did in Mebourne and pull in to the pit lane for a top-up before the lights go out.

Also, was it me, or was there something wrong with Ralf's left front tyre? It seemed greasy and smoking (on one of the replays).

And Malaysian director is not on the level yet again (showing DC when he was coming into the pits instead of Kimi who was finishing his lap :rolleyes: )

Very interesting grid, it's going to make for some early race passing, rain or no rain.:)

I hate the new quali system! Its so boring, only one car on the track at any time, you know whos coming out next, its very dull, no surprises, and weather changes can really mess you up. The fuel thing is also annoying as it takes away any kind of value of actually getting pole position. The quali changes devalue F1, IMO :( ...

what next? J Wilson in pole? :rolleyes:

I agree with you on the dull qualifying but the results are the opposite, all renault front row, what a race it'll be:flash:

I think the changes should have been limited to no traction control and back to manually operated gearshifts. There should be no problem in terms of pit to car telemetry etc and the quali changes make for a stupid race, you dont even know whats happening during quali. F1 requires more tought than most sports and if you have to guess how much fuel a car is running it just doesnt make for good viewing cos it looks like a game of chance. Ive been so bored with the two quali sessions so far and while they do make for interesting grid positions, it dilutes the merits of winning races / championships. Some changes had to be made, but Bernie went too far.

Well how's that for a result? The man who should have won in Melbourne finaly takes his first win and is now leading the championship! Congratulations Kimi Raikkonen! :D

Congratulations too Renault and Alonso. Seems their pace in qualifying was genuine.

Think I might even watch the replay tonight.

Very interesting race. So as the championship shapes up its McLaren winning the constuctors championship with 26 points(Coulthard 10, Kimi 16). Renault have had a good start but Ferrari still look like they could beat everyone considerably:( . Justin Wilson suffered an injury. Ron Dennis was crying!
:D :D McLaren and England rule:D :D

A good race, and huge congrats to Kimi and McLaren. Also Ralf had a good race with 17 ---> 4th.

As for Trulli-MS incident, I think MS deserved the penalty as much as JPM did last year - meaning they both didn't. My opinion.

Much as i praise Schumi (he is auto-god), i think he was a little over-zealous and did cause Trulli to spin.... not that Trulli should even be allowed to race, this guy's done so much nothing in his F1 career to date he should get an award for it. Why oh why did they let Jenson go and keep this guy? I guess we all know.... Flavio Briatore, Jarno Trulli, speaks volumes doesnt it?

Back to the race, great race for Raiko, ironically after making so many mistakes over the weekend. He should get a speech therapist though :D
Rubens underwhelmed... again. Great stuff to see Ralf to work his way to 4th from 17th. Another good race, though still somewhat of a circus...

Brazil here we come

It was indeed Schumi's fault, he admitted it and apologised for it to Trulli. But it still was a racing incident and shouldn't have resulted in the penalty (he had to take a long drive through the grass and then change the front wing. IMO, that's punishment enough. I wouldn't want every little touch on the track to result in a drivethrough.

And it's not like Trulli needed help spinning or making mistakes in turn 1 later on in the race. :D

Originally posted by ales
And it's not like Trulli needed help spinning or making mistakes in turn 1 later on in the race. :D

True! :hehehe:

I think you do make a fair point. Seeing that the driver who caused the incident has already suffered (front wing change), adding a drive-through penalty is really rubbing salt into their wounds cos the driver has to pit twice and loses decades of time. Here's my suggestion:
If the driver who caused the accident needs to pit for repairs, it should be 10 seconds stationary in the pits before the team can start work on the car.
If the driver doesnt need to pit, he gets a drive-through.

A little rough, but what do you think? We should work on something and call Max :hehe:

Originally posted by ales
I wouldn't want every little touch on the track to result in a drivethrough.



I agree, but that are the rules and the Stewards always have the last word in this. On the on the other hand, I think they should establish a worldwide Steward team, like a ref in football. Professional guys, not just locals.

:jump:

That's how happy I am with this weekends result!!

Somewhere, the start of this season reminds me on 1994. Major rule changes, controversy all over, and the guy who's supposed to overshadow every one - and become Champion at the end of the season - is not having the luck on his side. Of course there are differences, but some stuff seems similar.

Just to bad, they changed the point scoring system... ;)

Personally, I'm quietly confident. Michael usually doesn't do too well in Brazil, but I expect a thorough thrashing of everyone by Ferrari at Imola ;)

Originally posted by crayzayjay


If the driver who caused the accident needs to pit for repairs, it should be 10 seconds stationary in the pits before the team can start work on the car.
If the driver doesnt need to pit, he gets a drive-through.


That makes a ton of sense, it's not like switching out a wing doesn't take enough time, and making them sit stationary for 10s would really destroy their race, more than a drive-through could even?

On the other hand, what would staying stationary that long do to the engine in temperatures like Malaysia?

Aside all that worrying, I still think Kimi got a very deserved win, and can't help but think he may have got even if it wasn't for the drive through, considering it took Rubens nearly the whole race to catch him, but could never get close enough to pass him, would MS been able to do any different from further back?

Nice drive by Kimi, no way Rubens should have been 39 seconds back with Schu managing 17th to 4th, Ferrari had no vision resigning him, now they're in a hole. No way Schu was going to make that first turn pass either, harkens back to his earned criticism of not being a very good wheel to wheel racer.

Many teams seem to be struggling, I hope they get it together before season end.

Will the F2003 GA pull Ferrari's butt out of the fire?:confused:

Originally posted by ales
Personally, I'm quietly confident. Michael usually doesn't do too well in Brazil, but I expect a thorough thrashing of everyone by Ferrari at Imola ;)

I hope that for you too Alex ;) j/k

But you also have to bear in mind that the MP4/18 is due to be launched prior for Imola. If it is going to bring the other 50% advance that McLaren is going to make (the other 50% already in place in MP4/17D) I'm keen to see who'll do the trashing there... ;)

it is a lot more exciting, and will put a lot more pressure on every team! great stuff

Not quite. The 18 is not due to Imola. It's due to have the first run just before or just after Imola, but they won't be using it at Imola or Monaco (that's what RD said yesterday or today).

way to go kimi, that was long overdue.. (*!*) also props definitely to alonso, what is he 21 and coming 3rd in a race?! in a RENAULT!??! also did anyone notice after the race a commentator asks him "so how is the fever?" and he just goes "I got in the car with a fever of 38.5 degrees celcius and now I think i am a lot sicker..."

Definitely someone to watch out for (considering that other guy in the last 10 laps pulled out because of exhaustion...!)

I think Schumi has to definitely be feared.. 6th overall in the race AND hewent into pit lane FIVE times... that is simply amazing, same as in Melbourne.. He still hasn't DNF'ed since 2001!!!

I feel sorry for barichello... even when schumi didnt win, he didnt get 1st either.. ;(

oh yeh, props to our own ausise guy webber, who got stuffed by his car again..

I think the Sepang was the most thrilling F1 race I have ever seen (consider me a newbie only watching it since last year.. where it was... boring)

How about Toyota, out in the 20th lap or whatever because of fuel miscalc.. hillarious...

I think Ferrari will dominate again, but this year will be alot more competitive..

*long live schumi!*

I think they're already using the 18, they just won't say until they've has more success on the track. I never trust any press McLaren puts out because Ron is so politically and otherwise wiley.:)

But you also have to bear in mind that the MP4/18 is due to be launched prior for Imola.

QUOTE]:D :D McLaren and England rule:D :D [/B][/QUOTE]

sorry england come on! pull the other one!

ok Mclaren sure there doing well now, they have done well in the past but England, what do they do well???

Originally posted by nornicle
Definitely someone to watch out for (considering that other guy in the last 10 laps pulled out because of exhaustion...!)
You talking about Wilson pulling out? If so, he had to stop because his HANS device had become unsecured, pinching a nerve in his neck, paralysing his arms. Not exhaustion at all, just another stupid FIA rule making HANS mandatory.

Originally posted by nornicle
I think Schumi has to definitely be feared.. 6th overall in the race AND he went into pit lane FIVE times... that is simply amazing, same as in Melbourne.. He still hasn't DNF'ed since 2001!!!
Schumacher pitted four times, one of those he didn't stop. I think Kimi would have won anyway. It was not Bridgestone’s day.

Originally posted by nornicle
I feel sorry for Barichello... even when schumi didn’t win, he didn’t get 1st either.. ;(
How can you feel sorry for him, he's making a millions and travelling the world driving fast cars! Only downside is some observers will say "Michael would have won therefore Rubens is crap". Forgetting that Michael DIDN'T win because he wasn't fast enough, or clever enough either.

Originally posted by nornicle
oh yeh, props to our own ausise guy webber, who got stuffed by his car again..
Jury is still out on Webber as far as I'm concerned. Being outqualified by Pizzonia won't help matters. Wonder who will get the sack over Jaguars current spate of problems? Can't be many people left.

Originally posted by nornicle
I think the Sepang was the most thrilling F1 race I have ever seen (consider me a newbie only watching it since last year.. where it was... boring)
Yes, last year was so bad anything would look good in comparison!

Originally posted by nornicle
How about Toyota, out in the 20th lap or whatever because of fuel miscalc.. hillarious...
You talking about Panis :confused: A fuel pressure problem was the official reason for his retirement, just after his pitstop. Your not suggesting he ran out of fuel, like Alesi at Albert Park in 1997 are you?

Originally posted by nornicle
I think Ferrari will dominate again, but this year will be alot more competitive..
Indeed they will, as soon as Bridgestone provide them with better tyres and the drivers stop screwing up.

Originally posted by nornicle
*long live schumi!*
He's had his day, earnt his millions. Bring on some new blood!

Originally posted by cruisey
England, what do they do well???
**Ahem**

How about build F1 Cars?
And before anybody says the Italians do it better, let me remind you Ferrari have an English Technical Director, an English Chief Mechanic and have had many English Designers over the years. The current Designer is a South African, but I believe he was trained in England.

sorry about my factual errors.. obviously I listened to an aussie commentator ;P

Originally posted by cruisey
but England, what do they do well???

Drink beer, soccer riots.......did I miss anything?:rolleyes:

BTW, I am English, so I am only talking about my own people....lol

But seriously, give them some credit, Mclaren is a British based team, as are a few others, and there are a couple of pretty good WRC teams based in England too.

Originally posted by RallyRaider
The current Designer is a South African, but I believe he was trained in England.

And then I wave my little South African flag for the 19 years I lived in South Africa too :D

McLAREN RULES NOW!!!

hi! i'm newbie here. i just want to share my great momment during this event. i got myself a free ticket from TERATO (http://www.terato.com/v9) to watch 2003 Sepang F1 Grand Prix last weekend...

this is my not so good cybershot view trying to capture a running Ferrari... http://www.terato.com/cars/event/FormulaOne_sepang_03/vid_2.jpg (http://www.terato.com/cars/videokereta/MOV00099.MPG)

and this is a show b4 the event started; an F18
http://www.terato.com/cars/event/FormulaOne_sepang_03/vid_1.jpg (http://www.terato.com/cars/videokereta/MOV00050.MPG)

f1 trip report (http://www.terato.com/cars/event/Formulaone_Sepang_03.asp) i'm sorry coz it is in malay.

it was a fantastic momment and i just can't describe how this happen. 1999 - 2003 Sepang, McLAREN will rule again.