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I haven't enjoyed these qualis much. The rain and tire degradation both had a huge effect on being able to judge who really is the fastest driver and car. It's like throwing the darts to see who starts first. Personally, I would have appreciated such unpredictability some time _past_ the mid-year, and only in a few races.
Räikkönen hit with three-place grid penalty - GPUpdate.net
Great. :mad:Quote:
Räikkönen hit with three-place grid penalty
Kimi Räikkönen has been hit with a three-place grid penalty for the Malaysian Grand Prix, with the Finn adjudged to have blocked Mercedes's Nico Rosberg in qualifying.
The Lotus driver, who set the seventh fastest time, was deemed to have impeded Rosberg at Turn 14. The 2007 World Champion will now start Sunday afternoon's race from tenth on the grid, promoting Jenson Button, Adrian Sutil and Sergio Pérez.
Rosberg's starting position will remain unchanged, with the German qualifying sixth.
This makes it easier for Vettel and the Ferraris. Still Kimi has a pretty good chance at a win though, if he can extract as much pace as he could in Australia on worn tyres. Plus, it's easier to pass here at Sepang.
Lewis could have an outside chance at the podium, if their long run pace is in fact as good as he was saying after practice.
Fingers crossed for Kimi and Lewis.
If you watched the last few races of 2012, I don't understand how Massa outqualifying Alonso is a surprise. As for Webber losing to Seb, that's not surprise at all. Granted, as I mentioned in my other post, rain and unpredictable tire degradation really took a toll on these qualis. It will take a while to see a real perking order in this championship.Quote:
Originally Posted by Knock-on
On which lap will Ferrari allow Alonso past Massa? ;)
Q1:
1.Sutil 1:36.809
2.Raikkonen +0.150
3.Rosberg +0.430
4.Alonso +0.505
5.Grosjean +0.554
6.Button +0.678
7.di Resta +0.684
8.Hamilton +0.704
9.Webber +0.810
10.Perez +0.893
11.Gutierrez +0.898
12.Massa +0.903
13.Ricciardo +0.913
14.Maldonado +1.058
15.Vettel +1.091
16.Hulkenberg +1.122
17.Vergne +1.348
18.Bottas +1.398
19.Bianchi +1.625
20.Pic +2.505
21.Chilton +2.863
22.van der Garde+3.123
Just look how close Bianchi was to Q2! Another 0.504sec would have got him in.
Q2:
1.Rosberg 1:36.190
2.Webber +0.259
3.Hamilton +0.327
4.Raikkonen +0.450
5.Sutil +0.644
6.Massa +0.684
7.Alonso +0.687
8.Button +0.927
9.Vettel +1.055
10.Perez +1.152
11.Grosjean +1.446
12.Hulkenberg +1.935
13.Ricciardo +2.632
14.Gutierrez +3.031
15.di Resta +8.319
16.Maldonado No Time
Q3:
1.Vettel 1:49.674
2.Massa +0.913
3.Alonso +1.053
4.Hamilton +2.025
5.Webber +2.570
6.Rosberg +2.845
10.Raikkonen* +3.296
7.Button +3.501
8.Sutil +3.765
9.Perez +4.462
*Grid Penalty
With the weather and track conditions being as unpredictable as they are, I think it is too hard to predict. Vettel's Q3 time was nearly 12.4 seconds shy of his Q2. Six other drivers were faster in Q2 - what does that indicate?
I'm so confused.
Nico caught traffic at the wrong place and wrong time.Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptainRaiden
Kimi was passing traffic (FI?) into the penultimate corner and still left room on the apex!
What an absolutely daft penalty. Who's the driver rep this weekend? Another fine job by the stewards.
Very difficult to predict who is going to be the favourite tomorrow. One thing is pretty evident, if there is rain, Lotus will not feature, they have trouble getting tires to work in damp conditions.
I'm really getting fed up with Pirelli. Half the field can't make these rubber jokes work in the dry, while Kimi can, but in the wet Kimi can't make them work for toffee while suddenly Force India whoop everybody's arse when it's wet. So basically, it's completely irrelevant what sort of car you designed, Pirelli and the wheather will decide where you end up. It's a trucking favesty. *facepalm*
Please bring the tire competition back. I really like to see tires that are designed to win the race, not make a "show".