New team eye back-to-back win but will be at mercy of the weather

Myteamcar - IT HAS been Ferrari versus McLaren when it comes to winning honours in the Petronas Malaysian F1 Grand Prix in recent years.

But there are signs that a new team will rule the roost in what is considered the toughest GP on the world championship calendar, which gets underway today in Sepang with the free practices.

While Brawn GP will be looking to pull off a back-to-back win, the introduction of new rules allowing the use of Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) and the return of slick tyres meant that it will be a different ball game this time.

There is also a later start for the race on Sunday at 5pm instead of 3pm previously and this has not gone down well with some drivers, who feared that driving conditions would be affected if the skies turn too dark as a result of heavy rain.

Jenson Button, who gave Brawn a dream debut in F1 with a pole to finish victory in Melbourne last week, said their cars were running strongly at the moment but admitted they would be at the mercy of the weather.

Team-mate Rubens Barrichello finished second in Albert Park after starting the race from a similar position.

“We have been testing strongly and the results in Melbourne were where we expected to be. Our cars are mechanically strong and we expect to be competitive on this track. I particularly enjoy this track as it is fast flowing and it brings back good memories for me,” said Button, who chalked up his first podium finish in Sepang in 2004.

However, Button said that it would be difficult to know what to expect if the weather turned bad at the start of the race.

“We got a quick car now and we surely want a dry race in perfect conditions. But if there is a storm, it will be more challenging. We have not tested in the wet before and weather-wise, it could be tricky,” he said.

Button felt that the cars with KERS will have an advantage in Sepang, especially on the long straights.

“It’s also a tough place for the drivers as the heat in the cockpit can be unbearable, testing the limit of your fitness and concentration,” he said.

McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton will be determined to prove he is a worthy world champion after a decision yesterday to take away his third-place finish in the Australian GP.

With Hamilton’s disqualification, McLaren are in a similar position with Ferrari in having no points on board going into Sepang.

But he also admitted that it would be hard to battle upfront, considering the limited time they had after Melbourne.

“I know people are hoping for a night and day change in our car’s pace but that’s not going to happen this weekend. It’s difficult for any team to make big changes to the car when we are so far away from the factory,” said Hamilton, who became the youngest world champion in F1 history last year.

Red Bull Racing’s Sebastian Vettel is also looking to play spoiler after a disappointing outing in Melbourne.

The German was handed a 10-grid slot penalty for his part in a crash involving BMW Sauber’s Robert Kubica in the closing stages of the race in Melbourne, which put them both into retirement.

Despite finishing empty-handed, Vettel’s car showed good race pace battling for a podium spot and he is optimistic Sepang will favour them.

“I am not happy with the result as I only had a couple of laps to finish. It’s a shame really as I have a good car and was pushing hard for a podium,” said Vettel, who became the youngest driver to win an F1 race at the Italian GP last year.

“After Melbourne, it seems a more open battle and I hope we get everything right this week.”

Source: thestar.com.my