Malaysian GP Race Thread

[Red is Best]

We have many problems, but I think the biggest of all is our qualifying pace.
If we were starting from the front rows, it would have been much easier for us to be on that podium.

[Ste]

Ok, If Massa can be team ordered to get Alonso Ahead, Lewis can brake test Alonso to ruin his race.

IF he did anything, he moved over. Nothing to do with brake testing.

[Greig]

So why could RBR do it regularly then? Did they hire full time pitcrew who are not mechanics?

No

[impactX]

An article about last race weekend, you could pretty much substitute "Australia" with "Malaysia" and "Malaysia" with "China". "We need to understand..." "we need to find out..." "we need to blah blah blah."

Stefano Domenicali: “This weekend was not the one that we wanted…”
Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali admits that the team underperformed in Australia and will have to hit back in Malaysia.

Fernando Alonso recovered to fourth place after being pushed down to ninth when he ran wide at the start, while Felipe Massa salvaged seventh after the two Saubers were excluded. However Alonso’s fifth place in qualifying was a disappointment.

“What we need to understand why this weekend we didn’t get the performance we were expecting from ourselves,” said Domenicali. “Without looking at the others, this is the main thing that we need to analyse at home and make sure that in Malaysia we come back. For sure this weekend was not the one that we wanted, in terms of performance.

“Today in the race I have to say with regard to Fernando, starting in ninth position after the first lap, he was in a very difficult situation. He did a fantastic race. For sure if he would have had let’s say a clean start – not because of him but because he was unfortunately outside – and there was traffic on the inside, the race would have been for sure totally different.”

Domenicali said he was happy with the way the Ferrari KERS performed.

“It’s a matter of balance. On our car KERS worked quite well. At the beginning for example Jenson was behind Felipe and was always attacking him, we were able to match that Jenson was using the rear wing with the KERS. That is something that for us was very useful. In terms of balance, in terms of what the others are doing with that, I cannot answer, to be honest.”

Regarding the DRS, he added: “We were expecting that the rear wing effect was not really obvious, because the length [of the straight] is not so much. Then you have to consider what I said before, that you have to use the KERS in a certain condition to protect.

“We need to wait and see. Then we need to understand better the situation on our side, of the tyre usage, because that will affect the future strategy, the future management of the race, that’s for sure.”

[Lithium]

Oh well. A podium slipped away. Too bad Alonso made that crucial mistake and damaged his wing, otherwise it would have been an epic race for him. But then again, his DRS didn't work, so he tried to compensate for it... only to make a mistake. Very frustrating, but at least we see that the car isn't too bad on such an aero-heavy track as Malaysia. The season is far from over. Now bring on China!

[wacko]

Where have I denied its a problem? How can they come up with a solution, only solution is to replace the 20 odd mechanics that do pitstops in their spare time between their real job.

Stop being so defensive, seriously. I am asking you if you are denying that there is a problem, not accusing you of denying it.

If you say that is the only solution, then that is your own idea of a solution. The team is paid serious amounts of money to come up with innovative ideas, to be perfectionists, to be better than the rest (your signature is most apt). We are fans, we don't have the ability, nor the talent, to make Ferrari a better team than it is today.

[scuderia_nano]

Its good to see us Finish ahead of atleast one Mclaren. Early days, once we are in the groove, we will beat Mclaren for sure. And also, RBR will be chased in the race too 100%.

[RockyRaccoon]

Actually watching it AGAIN, they do both sweep over to the right, but Hamilton does have the right to do that

[Kingdom Hearts]

Fernando should know Lewis better, you can't expect him to behave like a kitty. Maybe it's not Fernando 100% fault, but he misjudged the situation a litte.

[vcs316]

Finishing 5th and 6th considering the pace is not bad...a bit too hard for Alonso having a puncture :(

When did Alonso have a puncture?

[Rishu]

Our race pace is not bad at all. I hope we get that big update to get us on top with 1 lap performance

[hogo]

LOL Hamilton never moved at all

Well he released accelerator in a very weird place (out of the corner were you normally accelerate). Alonso was too close to react so yeah it's Alonsos fault.

Oh and yeah our pitstops are a joke for a several years now. RedBull is doing them perfectly, why can't we? Dunno, maybe too old, too slow, too little practice?

[Maztin]

I think all teams work extra hard practising pitstops..some teams do over a 1000 a year perfecting the technique. We must improve a beautiful car we have

[impactX]

No

I think there's a lot of room for improvement. I think even if the car is not the best, we can still challenge for podium if our drivers and crew do everything the best they could correctly.

But if the crew tells us "our best is 5 seconds pitstop", then we got a problem; similar problem as as a driver who can't drive fast enough regularly in a race.

[Greig]

Stop being so defensive, seriously. I am asking you if you are denying that there is a problem, not accusing you of denying it.

If you say that is the only solution, then that is your own idea of a solution. The team is paid serious amounts of money to come up with innovative ideas, to be perfectionists, to be better than the rest (your signature is most apt). We are fans, we don't have the ability, nor the talent, to make Ferrari a better team than it is today.

Stop being so aggressive, seriously. I don't have any solution I just dont see the need to cast wild allegations about our mechanics, it's not like they are trying to mess it up.

[vagos]

thats all folks i go out for a walk i need some fresh air.......... :_)

[scuderia_nano]

I think there's a lot of room for improvement. I think even if the car is not the best, we can still challenge for podium if our drivers and crew do everything the best they could correctly.

But if the crew tells us "our best is 5 seconds pitstop", then we got a problem; similar problem as as a driver who can't drive fast enough regularly in a race.

I agree. The pit stops can get better. Alonso's starts can be better and Massa could be more conservative in the middle parts of the race.

[Stormsearcher]

Oh well. A podium slipped away. Too bad Alonso made that crucial mistake and damaged his wing, otherwise it would have been an epic race for him. But then again, his DRS didn't work, so he tried to compensate for it... only to make a mistake. Very frustrating, but at least we see that the car isn't too bad on such an aero-heavy track as Malaysia. The season is far from over. Now bring on China!

I know. It was soo close to a podium. Am not sure if alonso made a mistake or hamilton lifted a bit (i wont put that past him.. knowing he was going to get passed). But its reassuring to see that inspite of starting 5th nando came very close to a podium on an aero-heavy track.

I have guests at home so couldnt follow the whole race, but it seemed like our race pace was pretty good. If we can get the one lap pace up a bit.. we will still be in with a shot.

[wacko]

Stop being so aggressive, seriously. I don't have any solution I just dont see the need to cast wild allegations about our mechanics, it's not like they are trying to mess it up.

If you think what I'm posting is aggressive, you need to look at many of your own posts. Simple case in point, I've asked you a simple question, and you vehemently thinks I'm accusing you of something. What I've posted is honest, objective opinions of what I have seen in past races. I am not screaming for blood, just expecting the team to uphold their competitive spirit, and be better than what they are today.

[theforce]

stepped outside for 2 mins and came back to find alonso in 7th. From reading so far, he had contact with lewis and pitted for tyres? any video links to that incident?

Saying that pitstops were responsible for that incident is ridiculous! you could argue that the slow ferrari stops put alonso behind lewis but from there on, fernando's race was in his own hands.

But seriously, the pit stops did look slow compared to vettle's. Bring back Monza 2010 pit stops

[Greig]

Alonso away to the stewards.......

[Sianellen]

Fernando and Lewis off to the stewards

[Greig]

If you think what I'm posting is aggressive, you need to look at many of your own posts. Simple case in point, I've asked you a simple question, and you vehemently thinks I'm accusing you of something. What I've posted is honest, objective opinions of what I have seen in past races. I am not screaming for blood, just expecting the team to uphold their competitive spirit, and be better than what they are today.

Such as? You can see from my posts that I am not denying anything, no need to ask is there

[Ste]

Wow stewards. This ought to be interesting.

[theforce]

damn, those bbc videos can be viewed here

[Hornet]

What a disaster. Massa's stop took ages, front left. And then Alonso's stop too, the front left tire was way too late. What's up with that guy.
We need better pit stop coordination.

Shame about the bloody DRS thing.

But on a different note, I think we are definitely better on the tires, especially Alonso who pitted quite late for his final set. The tire situation actually allows a better level playing field. The 4 wise men at the front didn't run away as I feared they would. Hami had to pit for the 3rd time despite his harder compound.
Of course the Bulls still have that superior advantage, but the Macca aren't exactly invisible and we can take on them.

Bring on China

[Katu]

not surprised at all. i guess hamy will get a reprimand, like always

[Hornet]

Fernando and Lewis off to the stewards

For crying out loud.
What they thought happened? Alonso trying to run Lewis off the road?

Someone please remind them that today is Sunday, and it was a race session.

[Katu]

What a disaster. Massa's stop took ages, front left. And then Alonso's stop too, the front left tire was way too late. What's up with that guy.
We need better pit stop coordination.

now that got me thinking, back in 2006 there was a man in Renault who screwed Fernando in Hungary and China (i think it was china) and was sacked after last time. it might bethat not 20 guys needs to be sacked, already one could make a difference

[wappad]

Oh well. A podium slipped away. Too bad Alonso made that crucial mistake and damaged his wing, otherwise it would have been an epic race for him. But then again, his DRS didn't work, so he tried to compensate for it... only to make a mistake. Very frustrating, but at least we see that the car isn't too bad on such an aero-heavy track as Malaysia. The season is far from over. Now bring on China!

+1