2003 Malaysian Grand Prix

[ales]

qualifying 1 results

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 ...)

[djmr2]

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

[ales]

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

[ales]

Pizzonia showing the opposinte. Strangely, both bargeboards also intact

[ales]

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

[ales]

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

ON a serious side, note the new sponsor EJ signed up.

[Veyron]

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.

[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?

[NSX]

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

[RallyRaider]

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.

[ales]

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 )

[Veyron]

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

[crayzayjay]

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?

[agh1]

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:

[crayzayjay]

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.