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DRIVER PROFILES STATISTICS ANALYSIS and more! SEPANG, MARCH 23-25 Our proud platinum partners All-In-One Security ™ WILL FOUR SILVER ARROWS SWEEP SEPANG?
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Will four Silver arroWS SWeep Sepang?
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The 2012 Formula 1 World Championship kicked off last weekend at Albert Park, and it was McLaren that led the way.
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sepangeDITOR:Stefan Bartholomaeus
DesIgn:Kirstie Fuentes
saLes/MaRKeTIng:Leisa Emberson
IMages:Red Bull RacingMcLarenFerrariMercedesLotusForce IndiaSauberToro RossoCaterhamHRTMarussia
paRTneRs:Castrol EDGE, IRWIN Tools, Money Choice, Orrcon Steel, Pirtek, Vodafone, Lucky 7, Bisley, Norton 360, Toshiba, Armor All
Green means go!
Stefan Bartholomaeus
Journalist, Speedcafe.comEditor, Speedcafe Race Guides
Round 2 - Sepang I Introduction
Once again in 2012, the Formula 1 World Championship effectively has two first races.
While the Australian Grand Prix officially kicks off the season, Albert Park’s bumpy street layout isn’t overly representative of the circuits that lie ahead, and often gives a blurred insight into the true pecking order.
Almost every team left Australia claiming that the wide-open spaces of Sepang would better suit their 2012 cars.
On Albert Park form, the championship is going to be largely fought out between McLaren and Red Bull, with Mercedes, Lotus and Ferrari poised to pounce should either of the top two squads have a poor weekend.
The midfield squads meanwhile appear even more closely matched than last season, with Williams, Sauber, Force India and Toro Rosso all showing signs that promising campaigns are ahead.
Not all can have good seasons of course, and the Malaysian Grand Prix is really going to show us which squads were delivering false promise last weekend.
It truly is time to deliver.
Race 1, take two
6 Round 1 - Albert Park
Sebastian Vettel’s Red Bull RB8 donned a statue of Queen Elizebeth as it sat in the Albert Park garage.
A touch of royalty
7
8 Round 2 - Sepang I Cover Story
Mystery Mercs
Mercedes may have failed to score a point in last weekend’s Australian Grand Prix, but don’t expect that theme to continue this weekend.
The Brackley based squad headed to Melbourne unsure of its position relative to its McLaren, Red Bull, Ferrari and Lotus opposition, and on raw pace at least, was pleasantly surprised by what it saw.
Michael Schumacher led the way in Friday practice, before putting his W03 on the second row of the grid the following
afternoon - his best qualifying performance since returning to the sport two years ago.
A gearbox failure while running third in the early laps put paid to the seven-time World Champion’s Grand Prix, while team-mate Nico Rosberg - who had started seventh - would take 12th after losing five places in the final lap chaos.
Worryingly, Rosberg’s race had been dogged by high tyre degradation - an issue that the team battled with last season.
Big things are expected of Mercedes in Malaysia regardless however, due in
part to the trick wing system debuted in Melbourne.
Utilising the DRS flap to also stall the front-wing, the concept should better suit Sepang’s fast-flowing layout, and could see both Schumacher and Rosberg pose a threat to the pace-setting McLarens in qualifying - where the DRS can be activated throughout the entire lap.
According to Schumacher, a strong performance in Malaysia will be the key to a positive season.
“We saw in Australia that our car is
Will four Silver arroWS SWeep Sepang?
9
capable of putting us in the mix,” says Schumacher.
“Of course, we haven’t forgotten that the circuit in Melbourne is not really representative of the true competitive picture, but nevertheless the car gives me a good feeling for the season ahead. “Sepang will be interesting for everybody because it will be the first clue to the real relative strengths of all the cars.
“The range of slow and fast corners give a good indication of where you are, which always makes the race in Malaysia
fun for the drivers and engineers, and overall a big challenge. I’m looking forward to it.”
Despite the Mercedes wing set-up having past scrutineering in Australia, rival teams are understood to be seeking further clarification as to the legality of the device ahead of this weekend’s race.
Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn is adamant that the device is legal, and believes that such examples of free-thinking are a positive thing for Formula One.
“It’s great for Formula One, because for me the magic of Formula One is not just the drivers, it’s the technology, the engineering, the innovation, the stories that fill the web pages and the media,” says Brawn.
“It’s something that I think is a great thing for Formula One. When I hear these people talking about how we need to have
standard cars and just let the drivers… they miss the whole point of Formula One, which is the magic of everything that happens in Formula One.
“You know, we’ve got drivers out there, world champions, who are perhaps not in the best car at the moment and that’s a story.
“That’s a great aspect of Formula One. We have world champions in much better cars and the teams without the better cars have got to fix that and improve. So it’s great people are talking about different things.
“Today it’s us, tomorrow it will be somebody else. That’s why Formula One is so fascinating, why it’s so appealing to our fans and enthusiasts.” If the FIA continues to take no action against the wing this weekend, expect several teams to roll out their own versions over the coming races.
11Round 2 - Sepang I Track Details
Sepang InternatIonal CIrCuIt
Technical preview with Lotus F1’s trackside operations director Alan Permane
the CIrCuIt
The track surface is very abrasive, particularly in comparison to Albert Park, which is very smooth.
High speed stability is an essential requirement of the tyre in Malaysia due to the circuit layout, which contains some long straights and quick direction changes.
turns 1-2Good engine tractability required through turns 1 and 2, the second of which leads to a high speed section so a good exit is needed.
turn 3Strong stability from the tyres is required through the high speed corner to aid driver confidence.
turn 4Heavy braking here
turns 5-6These high speed turns require stiff suspension. The car can be run lower and stiffer as there are no high kerbs in Sepang which is beneficial for this.
turn 7Turning whilst braking means this corner can prove punishing for the tyres.
turn 15Heavy braking from a long straight into the final corner, which is followed by another long straight, means a good overtaking opportunity, and a variety of lines are taken here.
Start/Finish straightThe KERS is more effective for qualifying in Sepang because of the where the start-finish line is as you get two bites of the cherry with the KERS usage on the out lap. Heavy braking at the end of the start / finish straight. The brakes have cooled along the straight so should not overheat. A good overtaking location.
the Car
rear wingDownforce levels are very similar to the levels in Melbourne.
BrakesThere are four pretty heavy braking zones – into turn one, in to turn four, into turn 14, and then into turn 15. High temperatures are not such a threat as there are long straights between the braking events to cool the brakes.
SuspensionSepang requires a good all round car. There are high speed straights. There are very high speed changes of direction in turns five and six. There are some reasonable traction events with some very low speed tight double hairpin at turn one and turn two. There are no high kerbs so the car can be ran with a lower ride height than otherwise – giving better overall downforce.
tyresPirelli’s soft and hard tyres, meaning a greater gap between compounds than in Albert Park (where soft and medium were used). The track is very demanding on the tyres due to its aggressive surface, heavy braking areas, long straights and wide variety of speeds and corners.
Front wingThe threat of understeer is not as prevalent as in Albert Park so we can run with slightly less front wing.
engineMalaysia sits to the upper end of the ‘power tracks’ with 60% of the lap spent at full throttle, but the main challenge is preparing the engine’s cooling systems to cope with the intense heat and humidity. Ambient temperatures can reach over 40°C so engine cooling becomes crucial.
12 Round 2 - Sepang I The Bag Man
THEBAGMAN
13Round 2 - Sepang I Driver Profiles
red Bull raCIng
SebaStian Vettel
the BagMan’S SaY...Red Bull Racing will head to Malaysia as the hunters
rather than the hunted - an unfamiliar position for the two-time reigning constructors champions.
Qualifying appears as crucial as ever for Red Bull this season, with the combination of the team’s mini-KERS and preference for high-downforce set-ups continuing to make it difficult for both Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber to make up ground in races.
Vettel could therefore be well pleased with taking second in Melbourne from sixth on the grid. Winning in Sepang will likely require at least a second row start however.
Base: Milton Keynes, UKTeam Principal: Christian HornerTechnical Chief: Adrian NeweyChassis: RB8Engine: Renault RS27-2012
Debut: Albert Park, 2005Constructors’ titles: 2Wins: 27Pole Positions: 38Fastest Laps: 22
Nationality: GermanDate of Birth: 03/07/1987 Debut: Indianapolis, 2007World Championships: 2 Wins: 21Poles: 30 Fastest Laps: 9Career Highlights: 2010 and 2011 World Drivers’ Champion, 2nd 2006 F3 Euro Series, 2nd 2004 Formula BMW ADAC
Nationality: AustralianDate of Birth: 27/08/1976 Debut: Albert Park, 2002World Championships: 0 Wins: 7Poles: 9 Fastest Laps: 13Career Highlights: 3rd 2010 and 2011 World Drivers’ Championship, 2nd 2001 International F3000, 1st 1996 British FF Festival
Mark Webber
SEBASTIAN VETTELChampionship Position: 2ndBest Qualifying: 6thAverage Qualifying: 6th Best Finish: 2ndAverage Finish: 2nd
MARK WEBBERChampionship Position: 4thBest Qualifying: 5thAverage Qualifying: 5th Best Finish: 4thAverage Finish: 4th
2012 FORM
14 Round 2 - Sepang I Driver Profiles
VodaFone MClaren MerCedeS
JenSon button
the BagMan’S SaY...McLaren almost completed the perfect start to the
season in Melbourne, with only an ill-timed Safety Car period costing the team a one-two result.
The British cars often had the race pace of their Red Bull rivals last year, but suffered from poor track position due to the RB7’s qualifying dominance.
While the high-speed sweeps of Sepang contrast greatly to the (relatively) stop-start nature of Albert Park, expect McLaren to once again set the pace this weekend.
Perhaps of most interest with be the intra-team battle between Button and Hamilton. A second win for Button would be a real blow to Hamilton’s title chances.
Base: Woking, UKTeam Principal: Martin WhitmarshTechnical Chief: Paddy LoweChassis: MP4-27Engine: Mercedes-Benz FO 108Z
Debut: Monte Carlo, 1966World Championships: 8Wins: 176Poles Positions: 147Fastest Laps: 149
Nationality: BritishDate of Birth: 19/01/1980 Debut: Albert Park, 2000World Championships: 1 Wins: 13Poles: 7 Fastest Laps: 7Career Highlights: 2009 World Drivers’ Champion, 1st 1998 British FF Festival, 1998 British FF Champion
Nationality: BritishDate of Birth: 07/01/1985 Debut: Albert Park, 2007World Championships: 1 Wins: 17Poles: 20 Fastest Laps: 11Career Highlights: 2008 World Drivers’ Champion, 2006 GP2 Champion, 2005 F3 Euroseries Champion
leWiS HaMilton
JENSON BUTTONChampionship Position: 1stBest Qualifying: 2ndAverage Qualifying: 2nd Best Finish: 1stAverage Finish: 1st
LEWIS HAMILTONChampionship Position: 3rdBest Qualifying: 1stAverage Qualifying: 1st Best Finish: 3rdAverage Finish: 3rd
2012 FORM
16 Round 2 - Sepang I Driver Profiles
SCuderIa FerrarI
FernanDo alonSo
the BagMan’S SaY...The Australian Grand Prix confirmed the Tifosi’s
fears that the F2012 is a long way from the pace of its rivals - a fact that could be further exacerbated on the Sepang track layout.
Saturday at Albert Park saw Ferrari fail to put either of its cars into Q3 for the first time in 23 races, and while Fernando Alonso’s session had ended with a rare mistake, the Spaniard was not confident he could have progressed to the final segment regardless.
While Alonso at least managed to grind out a fifth place result in the race, team-mate Felipe Massa did not finish thanks to a clumsy incident with Bruno Senna. On current form, the Brazilian will be lucky to see out the season.
Base: Maranello, ItalyTeam Principal: Stefano DomenicaliTechnical Chief: Pat FryChassis: F2012Engine: Ferrari 056
Debut: Monte Carlo, 1950World Championships: 16Wins: 216Pole Positions: 205Fastest Laps: 227
Nationality: SpanishDate of Birth: 29/07/1981 Debut: Albert Park, 2001World Championships: 2 Wins: 27Poles: 20 Fastest Laps: 19Career Highlights: 2005 and 2006 World Drivers Champion, 1st 1999 Euro Open by Nissan
Nationality: BrazilianDate of Birth: 25/04/1981 Debut: Albert Park, 2002World Championships: 0 Wins: 11Poles: 15 Fastest Laps: 14Career Highlights: 2nd 2008 World Drivers’ Championship, 1st 2001 Euro F3000, 1st 2000 Formula Renault Eurocup
FeliPe MaSSa
FERNANDO ALONSOChampionship Position: 5thBest Qualifying: 12thAverage Qualifying: 12th Best Finish: 5thAverage Finish: 5th
FELIPE MASSAChampionship Position: -Best Qualifying: 16thAverage Qualifying: 16th Best Finish: -Average Finish: -
2012 FORM
17Round 2 - Sepang I Driver Profiles
MerCedeS aMg petronaS F1 teaM
MiCHael SCHuMaCHer
the BagMan’S SaY...It’s hard to know what to expect from
Mercedes in Malaysia following their up-and-down weekend at Albert Park. The team’s latest technical innovation - which uses the DRS flap to stall the front-wing as well as the rear - was the talk of the Albert Park paddock, but in reality only provided a very small advantage during the race.
Practice and qualifying however was a different story, and the Mercedes package must be thought of as a potential to see the front row on the more flowing Sepang layout.
Unfortunately however, the team showed in Melbourne that it is yet to fix the high tyre degradation that hindered its 2011 campaign. On that basis, a podium will be a stretch.
Base: Brackley, UKTeam Principal: Ross BrawnTechnical Chief: Bob BellChassis: F1 W03Engine: Mercedes-Benz FO108Z
Debut: Albert Park, 2010World Championships: 0Wins: 0Pole Positions: 0Fastest Laps: 0
Nationality: GermanDate of Birth: 03/01/1969 Debut: Spa, 1991World Championships: 7 Wins: 91Poles: 68 Fastest Laps: 76Career Highlights: 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 World Drivers’ Champion, 1990 German F3 Champion
Nationality: GermanDate of Birth: 27/06/1985 Debut: Sakhir, 2006World Championships: 0 Wins: 0Poles: 2 Fastest Laps: 2Place of Birth: WiesbadenCareer Highlights: 2nd 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, 2005 GP2 Champion, 1st 2002 Formula BMW ADAC
niCo roSberG
MICHAEL SCHUMACHERChampionship Position: -Best Qualifying: 4thAverage Qualifying: 4th Best Finish: -Average Finish:
NICO ROSBERGChampionship Position: 12thBest Qualifying: 7thAverage Qualifying: 7th Best Finish: 12thAverage Finish: 12th
2012 FORM
19Round 2 - Sepang I Driver Profiles
lotuS F1 teaM
kiMi raikkonen
the BagMan’S SaY...Winter testing pointed to a stronger Lotus
package this season, but few expected that the Enstone squad could out-qualify both Red Bulls at Albert Park.
While a poor start and an early incident for Romain Grosjean meant the potential went unrealised in the race, expect the team to again be pressing the top five in Sepang.
Kimi Raikkonen’s return to the sport wasn’t the smoothest of rides - the 2007 World Champion eliminated in Q1 after a series of small gaffs. Nevertheless, the Finn was his old self in the press conferences, and showed on Sunday that he’s lost none of his race craft in recent years either. Expect both cars to make Q3 this time.
Base: Enstone, UKTeam Principal: Eric BoullierTechnical Chief: James AllisonChassis: E20Engine: Renault RS27- 2012
Debut: Albert Park, 2012World Championships: 0Wins: 0Pole Positions: 0Fastest Laps: 0
Nationality: FinnishDate of Birth: 17/10/1979 Debut: Albert Park, 2001World Championships: 1 Wins: 18Poles: 16 Fastest Laps: 35Career Highlights: 2007 World Drivers’ Champion, 2nd 2005 World Driver’s Championship, 2000 British Formula Renault champion
Nationality: FrenchDate of Birth: 17/04/1986 Debut: Valencia, 2009World Championships: 0 Wins: 0Poles: 0 Fastest Laps: 0Career Highlights: 2011 GP2 and GP2 Asia Series Champion, 2010 Auto GP champion, 2007 F3 Euro Series Champion
roMain GroSJean
KIMI RAIKKONENChampionship Position: 7thBest Qualifying: 17thAverage Qualifying: 17th Best Finish: 7thAverage Finish: 7th
ROMAIN GROSJEANChampionship Position: -Best Qualifying: 3rdAverage Qualifying: 3rd Best Finish: -Average Finish: -
2012 FORM
20 Round 2 - Sepang I Driver Profiles
Sahara ForCe IndIa F1 teaM
Paul Di reSta
the BagMan’S SaY...It was hard to know what to make of Force India
in Melbourne. Any illusions that the team would be a top six threat were certainly dispelled, but by the same token, the VJM05 hardly looks like being a disaster.
Nico Hulkenberg was one of the stars of qualifying - making it to Q3 on his F1 return, while team-mate Paul di Resta could well have joined him if it wasn’t for traffic in Q2.
While Hulkenberg’s race ended with Lap 1 damage, di Resta managed to drag a point from the weekend on a frantic final lap.
The fact that he’d struggled to match the pace of the Sauber and Toro Rosso entries during much of the race indicates that scoring more points in Sepang may be a stretch.
Base: Silverstone, UKTeam Principal: Vijay MallyaTechnical Chief: Andrew GreenChassis: VJM05Engine: Mercedes-Benz FO108Z
Debut: Albert Park, 2008World Championships: 0Wins: 0Pole Positions: 1Fastest Laps: 1
Nationality: ScottishDate of Birth: 16/04/1986 Debut: Albert Park, 2011World Championships: 0 Wins: 0Poles: 0 Fastest Laps: 0Career Highlights: 2010 DTM Champion, 2006 Formula 3 Euroseries Champion, 1st 2006 Masters of F3
Nationality: GermanDate of Birth: 19/08/1987 Debut: Sakhir, 2010World Championships: 0 Wins: 0 Poles: 1 Fastest Laps: 0Career Highlights: Pole Position for 2010 Brazilian Grand Prix, 2009 GP2 Series Champion, 2005 Formula BMW ADAC champion
niCo HulkenberG
PAUL DI RESTAChampionship Position: 10thBest Qualifying: 15thAverage Qualifying: 15th Best Finish: 10thAverage Finish: 10th
NICO HULKENBERGChampionship Position: -Best Qualifying: 9thAverage Qualifying: 9th Best Finish: -Average Finish: -
2012 FORM
21Round 2 - Sepang I Driver Profiles
SauBer F1 teaM
kaMui kobaYaSHi
the BagMan’S SaY...Sauber again appears to have a tidy package to
start the season, and despite lacking qualifying pace, will expect to have at least one of its cars in the bottom half of the top 10 on Sunday afternoon.
Whispers within the Melbourne paddock suggested that Sauber, McLaren and Red Bull are the only teams that have found a way to maintain a significant diffuser-blowing effect despite the new exhaust regulations.
The Swiss cars have certainly kept their key strength from 2011 - tyre life. For the second year in a row, Perez one-stopped the season opener, helping the Mexican finish in the points despite starting last after a gearbox change.
Base: Hinwil, SwitzerlandTeam Principal: Peter SauberTechnical Chief: Matt MorrisChassis: C31Engine: Ferrari 056
Debut: Kylami, 1993World Championships: 0Wins: 1Pole Positions: 1Fastest Laps: 2
Nationality: JapaneseDate of Birth: 13/09/1986 Debut: Interlagos, 2009World Championships: 0 Wins: 0Poles: 0 Fastest Laps: 0Career Highlights: 2008/09 GP2 Asia Series Champion, 4th 2007 F3 Euroseries, 1st 2005 FRenault Eurocup
Nationality: MexicanDate of Birth: 26/01/1990 Debut: Albert Park, 2011World Championships: 0 Wins: 0Poles: 0 Fastest Laps: 0Career Highlights: 2nd 2010 GP2 Series, 4th 2007 British F3 Championship Class, 1st 2007 British F3 National Class
SerGio PereZ
KAMUI KOBAYASHIChampionship Position: 6thBest Qualifying: 13thAverage Qualifying: 13th Best Finish: 6thAverage Finish: 6th
SERGIO PEREZChampionship Position: 9thBest Qualifying: 22ndAverage Qualifying: 22nd Best Finish: 8thAverage Finish: 8th
2012 FORM
23Round 2 - Sepang I Driver Profiles
SCuderIa toro roSSo
Daniel riCCiarDo
the BagMan’S SaY...Daniel Ricciardo put in mighty performances on
both Saturday (where he made Q3) and Sunday (where he finished ninth despite dropping a late following a first-corner incident) at Albert Park to assert his authority within the Toro Rosso team.
The results largely masked the competitiveness of team-mate Jean-Eric Vergne however, who was just 0.01s slower than Ricciardo in Q2, and ran ahead of the Australian on the final lap of the race before missing out on a point in the last lap shuffle.
With two fast, hungry drivers and a solid package beneath them, Toro Rosso has plenty to look forward to this weekend.
Base: Faenza, ItalyTeam Principal: Franz TostTechnical Chief: Giorgio AscanelliChassis: STR7Engine: Ferrari 056
Debut: Sakhir, 2006World Championships: 0Wins: 1Pole Positions: 1Fastest Laps: 0
Nationality: AustralianDate of Birth: 01/07/1989 Debut: Silverstone, 2011World Championships: 0 Wins: 0Poles: 0 Fastest Laps: 0Career Highlights: 2009 British Formula 3 Champion, 2nd 2010 Formula Renault 3.5, 2008 Formula Renault 2.0 Champion
Nationality: FrenchDate of Birth:25/04/1990 Debut: Albert Park, 2012World Championships: – Wins: –Poles: – Fastest Laps: –Career Highlights: 2nd 2011 Formula Renault 3.5 Series, 2010 British Formula 3 Champion, 2nd European Formula Renault 2.0 series
Jean-eriC VerGne
DANIEL RICCIARDOChampionship Position: 9thBest Qualifying: 10thAverage Qualifying: 10th Best Finish: 9thAverage Finish: 9th
JEAN-ERIC VERGNEChampionship Position: 11thBest Qualifying: 11thAverage Qualifying: 11th Best Finish: 11thAverage Finish: 11th
2012 FORM
24 Round 2 - Sepang I Driver Profiles
WIllIaMS
the BagMan’S SaY...The opening round of 2012 indicated that
Williams has produced a competitive car for the new season, with Pastor Maldonado making Q3 before spending much of the race dicing for a top five finish with Fernando Alonso.
While the Sepang layout will place a greater emphasis on aerodynamics - an area that Williams has not been strong in over recent seasons - Maldonado left Melbourne genuinely optimistic that his team was ahead of the midfield battle.
Unfortunately the driver line-up looks to be the team’s biggest weakness, with Maldonado as error prone as ever, and Bruno Senna struggling to get on the pace throughout the entire weekend. Closing the gap to his team-mate in qualifying should be the Brazilian’s first target in Sepang.
Base: Grove, UKTeam Principal: Frank WilliamsTechnical Chief: Mike CoughlanChassis: FW34Engine: Renault RS27- 2012
Debut: Aires, 1978World Championships: 9Wins: 113Pole Positions: 126Fastest Laps: 130
Nationality: VenezuelanDate of Birth: 09/03/1985 Debut: Albert Park, 2011World Championships: 0 Wins: 0Poles: 0 Fastest Laps: 0Career Highlights: 2010 GP2 Champion, 3rd 2006 Formula Renault 3.5, 1st 2004 Formula Renault 2000 Italia
Nationality: BrazilianDate of Birth: 15/10/1983 Debut: Sakhir, 2010 World Championships: 0 Wins: 0Poles: 0 Fastest Laps: 0Career Highlights: 2nd 2008 GP2 Series, 3rd 2006 British F3 Championship, 5th 2008 GP2 Asia Series
bruno Senna
PASTOR MALDONADOChampionship Position: 13thBest Qualifying: 8thAverage Qualifying: 8th Best Finish: 13thAverage Finish: 13th
BRUNO SENNAChampionship Position: 16thBest Qualifying: 14thAverage Qualifying: 14th Best Finish: 16thAverage Finish: 16th
PaStor MalDonaDo
2012 FORM
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26 Round 2 - Sepang I Driver Profiles
CaterhaM F1 teaM
Heikki koValainen
the BagMan’S SaY...Caterham was one of the disappointments of
the Albert Park weekend, with Heikki Kovalainen’s best effort in Q1 proving more that 1s shy of what was required to make Q2.
While the performance indicates little improvement from the team’s 2011 form, expect the green machines to be a bit closer to the pace in Sepang.
Kovalainen’s qualifying efforts in Melbourne were hampered by traffic, while his early race pace wasn’t too far shy of the back of the midfield.
A five-place grid penalty for passing under Safety Car will see the Finn enter the Sepang weekend on the back foot however.
Base: Hingham, UKTeam Principal: Tony FernandesTechnical Chief: Mike GascoyneChassis: CT01Engine: Renault RS27-2012
Debut: Sakhir, 2010World Championships : 0Wins: 0Pole Positions: 0Fastest Laps: 0
Nationality: FinnishDate of Birth: 19/10/1981 Debut: Albert Park, 2007World Championships: 0 Wins: 1Poles: 1 Fastest Laps: 2Career Highlights: 1st 2008 Hungarian Grand Prix, 2nd 2005 GP2 Series, 1st 2004 World Series by Nissan
Nationality: RussianDate of Birth: 08/09/1984 Debut: Sakhir, 2010World Championships: 0 Wins: 0 Poles: 0 Fastest Laps: 0Career Highlights: 3rd 2011 Australian Grand Prix, 2nd 2009 GP2 Series, 3rd 2008 GP2 Asia Series
VitalY PetroV
HEIKKI KOVALAINENChampionship Position: -Best Qualifying: 18thAverage Qualifying: 18th Best Finish: -Average Finish: -
VITALY PETROVChampionship Position: -Best Qualifying: 19thAverage Qualifying: 19th Best Finish: -Average Finish: -
2012 FORM
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29Round 2 - Sepang I Driver Profiles
hrt F1 teaM
PeDro De la roSa
the BagMan’S SaY...Sadly for the minnows of the Formula 1 grid,
qualifying proved too big a task in Melbourne, and may again be an insurmountable challenge this weekend.
Improving the reliability of the cars will be the first task. Narain Karthikeyan and Pedro de la Rosa put in a combined total of just 45 laps prior to qualifying in Australia - with the Spaniard’s car not even having been finished prior to practice on Friday.
When they did run, the cars suffered from chronic cooling and steering problems, and proved a dangerous commodity in qualifying.
At least the wide open spaces of Malaysian will reduce the chances of a major incident.
Base: Madrid, SpainTeam Principal: Luis Perez-SalaTechnical Chief: Jean-Claude MartensChassis: F112Engine: Cosworth CA2012
Debut: Sakhir, 2010World Championships: 0WIns: 0Pole Positions: 0Fastest Laps: 0
Nationality: SpanishDate of Birth: 24/02/1971 Debut: Albert Park, 1999World Championships: 0 Wins: 0Poles: 0 Fastest Laps: 0Career Highlights: 1997 Formula Nippon F3000 Champion, 1995 Japanese Formula 3 Champion
Nationality: IndianDate of Birth: 14/01/1977 Debut: Albert Park, 2005World Championships: 0 Wins: 0Poles: 0 Fastest Laps: 0Career Highlights: 4th 2005 US Grand Prix, 4th 2000 British F3 Championship, 4th 2003 Formula Nissan WS
narain kartHikeYan
PEDRO DE LA ROSAChampionship Position: -Best Qualifying: -Average Qualifying: - Best Finish: -Average Finish: -
NARAIN KARTHIKEYANChampionship Position: -Best Qualifying: -Average Qualifying:-Best Finish:-Average Finish:-
2012 FORM
30 Round 2 - Sepang I Driver Profiles
MaruSSIa F1 teaM
tiMo GloCk
the BagMan’S SaY...Marussia will head to Malaysia in far better shape
than that in which they headed to Melbourne. While qualifying for and finishing the races remain the only realistic goals at this stage, the fact that both of those targets were met in Melbourne was an impressive effort.
The new car missed all four pre-season tests, but proved surprisingly reliable at Albert Park.
Charles Pic too acquitted himself well - the Frenchman making the 107% cut-off despite having had minimal experience in F1 machinery ahead of the weekend.
Don’t expect the Marussia pair to be too far away from the Caterham of Vitaly Petrov in qualifying in Sepang.
Base: Banbury, UKTeam Principal: John BoothTechnical Chief: Pat SymondsChassis: MR01Engine: Cosworth CA2012
Debut: Sakhir, 2010World Championships: 0Wins: 0Pole Positions: 0Fastest Laps: 0
Nationality: GermanDate of Birth: 18/03/1982 Debut: Montreal, 2004World Championships: 0 Wins: 0Poles: 2 Fastest Laps: 1Career Highlights: 2nd 2009 Singapore Grand Prix, 2007 GP2 Champion, 1st 2001 Formula BMW ADAC
Nationality: FrenchDate of Birth: 15/02/1990 Debut: Albert Park, 2012World Championships: 0 Wins: 0Poles: 0 Fastest Laps: 0Career Highlights: 4th 2011 GP2 Series, 3rd 2008 and 2009 World Series by Renault FR 3.5
CHarleS PiC
TIMO GLOCKChampionship Position: 14thBest Qualifying: 20thAverage Qualifying: 20th Best Finish: 14thAverage Finish: 14th
CHARLES PICChampionship Position: 15thBest Qualifying: 21stAverage Qualifying: 21st Best Finish: 15thAverage Finish: 15th
2012 FORM
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participating stores.
$5 +Lucky 7 RacingTim Slade“Lucky 7 is My Store with More”
For your nearest store visit www.luckyseven.com.au
33Round 2 - Sepang I Race Stats
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL INDEPENDENT CONVENIENCE STORE
Pauls Full Cream Milk 2Lt plus Buttercup & Local Bake 650-700g Bread (White, Thick, Wholemeal or Multigrain). While stocks last. Available at
participating stores.
$5 +Lucky 7 RacingTim Slade“Lucky 7 is My Store with More”
For your nearest store visit www.luckyseven.com.au
ChaMpIonShIp StandIngS
pos Constructor engine points
1 Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Mercedes 40
2 Red Bull Racing Renault 30
3 Sauber F1 Team Ferrari 12
4 Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro Ferrari 10
5 Lotus Renault GP Renault 6
6 Scuderia Toro Rosso Ferrari 2
7 Force India F1 Team Mercedes 1
8 Mercedes GP Petronas F1 Team Mercedes 0
9 AT&T Williams Cosworth 0
10 Marussia F1 Team Cosworth 0
- Caterham F1 Team Renault 0
- HRT F1 Team Cosworth -
World drIVerS ChaMpIonShIp
World ConStruCtorS ChaMpIonShIp
no driver nat Car points
1 Jenson Button GBR McLaren 25
2 Sebastian Vettel DEU Red Bull 18
3 Lewis Hamilton GBR McLaren 15
4 Mark Webber AUS Red Bull 12
5 Fernando Alonso ESP Ferrari 10
6 Kamui Kobayashi JPN Sauber 8
7 Kimi Raikkonen FIN Lotus 6
8 Sergio Perez MEX Sauber 4
9 Daniel Ricciardo AUS HRT 2
10 Paul di Resta GBR Force India 1
11 Jean-Eric Vergne FRA Toro Rosso 0
12 Nico Rosberg DEU Mercedes 0
13 Pastor Maldonado VEN Williams 0
14 Timo Glock DEU Virgin 0
15 Charles Pic FRA Marussia 0
16 Bruno Senna BRA Renault 0
- Felipe Massa BRA Ferrari R
- Heikki Kovalainen FIN Lotus R
- Vitaly Petrov RUS Renault R
- Michael Schumacher DEU Mercedes R
- Romain Grosjean FRA Lotus R
- Nico Hulkenberg DEU Force India R
- Pedro de la Rosa ESP Sauber -
- Narain Karthikeyan IND HRT -
34 Round 2 - Sepang I Race Stats
preVIouS MalaYSIan gp WInnerS
Year driver Constructor location2011 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault Sepang2010 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault Sepang2009 Jenson Button Brawn-Mercedes Sepang2008 Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari Sepang2007 Fernando Alonso McLaren-Mercedes Sepang2006 Giancarlo Fisichella Renault Sepang2005 Fernando Alonso Renault Sepang2004 Michael Schumacher Ferrari Sepang2003 Kimi Raikkonen McLaren-Mercedes Sepang2002 Ralf Schumacher Williams-BMW Sepang2001 Michael Schumacher Ferrari Sepang2000 Michael Schumacher Ferrari Sepang1999 Eddie Irvine Ferrari Sepang
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37Round 2 - Sepang I Race Stats
paSt ChaMpIonSYear driver nat Constructor Wins poles points2011 Sebastian Vettel GER Red Bull 11 15 3922010 Sebastian Vettel GER Red Bull 5 10 2562009 Jenson Button GBR Brawn 6 4 952008 Lewis Hamilton GBR McLaren 5 7 982007 Kimi Räikkönen FIN Ferrari 6 3 1102006 Fernando Alonso ESP Renault 7 6 1342005 Fernando Alonso ESP Renault 7 6 1332004 Michael Schumacher GER Ferrari 13 8 1482003 Michael Schumacher GER Ferrari 6 5 932002 Michael Schumacher GER Ferrari 11 7 1442001 Michael Schumacher GER Ferrari 9 11 1232000 Michael Schumacher GER Ferrari 9 9 1081999 Mika Häkkinen FIN McLaren 5 11 761998 Mika Häkkinen FIN McLaren 8 9 1001997 Jacques Villeneuve CAN Williams 7 10 811996 Damon Hill GBR Williams 8 9 971995 Michael Schumacher GER Benetton 9 4 1021994 Michael Schumacher GER Benetton 8 6 921993 Alain Prost FRA Williams 7 13 991992 Nigel Mansell GBR Williams 9 14 1081991 Ayrton Senna BRA McLaren 7 8 961990 Ayrton Senna BRA McLaren 6 10 781989 Alain Prost FRA McLaren 4 2 761988 Ayrton Senna BRA McLaren 8 13 901987 Nelson Piquet BRA Williams 3 4 731986 Alain Prost FRA McLaren 4 1 721985 Alain Prost FRA McLaren 5 2 731984 Niki Lauda AUT McLaren 5 0 721983 Nelson Piquet BRA Brabham 3 1 591982 Keke Rosberg FIN Williams 1 1 44
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For the third time in four years, Jenson Button stood on the top step at Albert Park.
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