***Official thread F1 Malaysian Grand Prix of 2014***

[Vaud]

UK Times, live on BBC / Radio 5 live

Fri 28 March 2014
Practice 1 02:00 - 03:30
Practice 2 06:00 - 07:30

Sat 29 March 2014
Practice 3 05:00 - 06:00
Qualifying 08:00

Sun 30 March 2014
Race 09:00

Hoping for another interesting race. I'll wait until we see some weather updates before predicting a winner, but given the long haul back and then back out, other than minor pieces, it will be hard to see the teams can do much other than turnaround and small elements?

I assume there is no straight line testing session in this window?

[wanacoop]

If Merc can get their cars to the finish line, it will be nice to see which driver comes out on top.

It will also be great to find out how redbull do!

[Pixelpeep]

What does 'Official thread' mean?

[Vaud]

Pixelpeep said:

What does 'Official thread' mean?

It's what they are generally called - look back to 2013.

[Tyre Smoke]

Hoping for another interesting race?

Do you mean you are hoping for an interesting race? There was nothing interesting after the first ten laps of the Australian GP.

[Pixelpeep]

Vaud said:

Pixelpeep said:

What does 'Official thread' mean?

It's what they are generally called - look back to 2013.

Does the same person start them?

[Vaud]

Pixelpeep said:

Does the same person start them?

No

[Pixelpeep]

Vaud said:

Pixelpeep said:

Does the same person start them?

No

So what makes it official then?

does official in this case mean 'i am the first to start a thread on this particular topic' ?

[williamp]

Also means there could be spoilers, as its updated during quali/ the race. You have been warned...!!!

[Vaud]

Pixelpeep said:

So what makes it official then?

does official in this case mean 'i am the first to start a thread on this particular topic' ?

Any chance you want to talk about the race, or do you just want to discuss a thread title for 50 pages?
If you want to start your own, go for it. I want to talk about the GP.

Malaysia is not a track I've been to, I think Singapore would be my preference. Not a fan of long haul and I don't like the heat so it's probably not my ideal country for a GP holiday...

Edited by Vaud on Tuesday 18th March 14:42

[Dr Z]

Pixelpeep said:

So what makes it official then?

does official in this case mean 'i am the first to start a thread on this particular topic' ?

The title 'official' and following that format prevents duplicate threads.

Oh OP, you forgot to put ***SPOILERS*** in the thread title!

---

Looking forward to the race!

1) Battle between the works Mercs (reliability permitting)
2) Red Bull form, was it a fluke?
3) Best of the rest battle between Williams/McLaren
4) Can Ferrari mix it up with the above?
5) Lower midfield runners...upturn in Torro Rosso's form?
6) Kobayashi's antics with the lower midfield
7) Can Lotus complete a race distance?
8) Marussia chasing points?

Edited by Dr Z on Tuesday 18th March 14:48

[Pixelpeep]

Vaud said:

Pixelpeep said:

So what makes it official then?

does official in this case mean 'i am the first to start a thread on this particular topic' ?

Any chance you want to talk about the race, or do you just want to discuss a thread title for 50 pages?
If you want to start your own, go for it. I want to talk about the GP.

Malaysia is not a track I've been to, I think Singapore would be my preference. Not a fan of long haul and I don't like the heat so it's probably not my ideal country.

lol ok ok i was just curious. -- scuttles off to start a series of 'official' threads.

Historically, kimi, Vettel and alonso have been strong on this track so maybe (and hopefully) Ferrari will shine.

[Panda76]

Hang on hang on, they haven't finished arguing in the Australian GP thread yet !

[Jasandjules]

It's going to be interesting to see how they cope with the different climatic conditions as well. Suspect we may see a few Turbos explode (of course in theory millions have been spent and they will operate swimmingly but still)...

[Inertiatic]

Mercedes to stomp off and a ding dong between them both

Mclaren / Williams
Red Bull / Hulkenberg / Ferrari

Perez
Sauber

Torro Rosso

Marussia
Caterham
Lotus

However, will they all finish

Retirements:

One Caterham
Both Lotus
One Red Bull
One Ferrari engined car - probably Sauber?
One Merc engined car

[Alicatt1]

Panda76 said:

Hang on hang on, they haven't finished arguing in the Australian GP thread yet !

It's called Hyperthreading...

[S0 What]

I'm looking forward to seeing what the Williams can do without setbacks? Bottas looked pretty dam good and made laods of overtakes all throughout the race although i am concerned they are geared rather low? did anyone else get into 8th gear in the first race ?
Also keen to see how Nico and Lewis stack up to each other, i'd expect Lewis to come out ahead but Nico has the first win under his belt so goes into the next race on a big high and with confidence (if he ever needed any more that is).
Caterham have a job on thier hands with Marussias 13th place if cars continue to show good (or should i say fair) reliabilty?

[Blib]

I too hope that Williams have a good weekend. It would have been interesting to see how Massa and Bottas (Massa in particular) would have done had they not had their 'setbacks' last weekend.

[eps]

Blib said:

I too hope that Williams have a good weekend. It would have been interesting to see how Massa and Bottas (Massa in particular) would have done had they not had their 'setbacks' last weekend.

Yep, maybe that was their chance tho... I do hope not, but I do wonder quite often in races, esp. F1, some drivers and teams take their chances others are full of ifs and buts..

[ajprice]

Looking forward to the Mercedes cars both running and having a go at each other. Behind them, Bottas and Magnussen could end upon the same bit of track, if Bottas hadn't touched the wall, that could have happened in Australia. Red Bull are an odd one this year, if Ricciardo was up there on merit in Australia and not because of some high fuel flow 'issues' , Red Bull could have a decent car already. Where there heads are at could be interesting though. And how far up st creek are Lotus this year, and do a Genii have any money to buy paddles for them?

All of the above is reliability permitting, so I'm off to put five pounds of Monopoly money on Chilton scoring a podium. I've got to win something eventually