Grand Prix 2014 Malaysian Grand Prix Practice, Qualifying & Race Discussion

So, after the thrills and (mainly) spills that was Australia, we move onto the greenhouse that is Malaysia for the second round of the championship. Situated just outside of the capital Kuala Lumpur, the Sepang International Circuit is fast, flowing, has numerous overtaking opportunities and is a real test for the driver, partly down to the inevitable and often oppressive heat and humidity. With the new regulations for this year, expect numerous driver errors and for the cars to be placed under immense mechanical pressure.

The Sepang circuit is the first of the Tilke circuits and the GP's inaugural year in 1999 paved the way for the Asian expansion of Formula 1, with races in China, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Korea and India added to the calendar in recent years - although the last two have since departed from the travelling circus that is F1.

When one thinks of Malaysia, rain is one of the fist thoughts that occur. The race has been affected numerous times, most notably in 2001, 2009 (the race was unable to be finished, so half-points were awarded), qualifying in 2010 (two Ferraris and two McLarens at the back of the grid) and in 2012. With the high heat & humidity threatening to spark off rain showers any time, expect rain to play a big part in the weekend.

As for the pecking order, it is mainly unclear apart from the fact that Mercedes are miles in front of anyone else, and those with a Mercedes engine are all doing reasonably well. However, it is McLaren leading the constructors championship after a 3rd and 4th in Melbourne. Whilst it may not seem significant now, the points accrued in the early races may be pivotal in the championship as after all, every race is worth the same (oh wait, that's not right).

For some stupid reason, we now have to wait for two weeks before the race weekend, so there's plenty of time for discussion, dissection and disagreement.

So..... Ready, Steady, Discuss!!!
 
He didn't actually turn it down though, did he? It was the non-appearance of the Quantum money that forced Lotus to accept Maldo's Millions instead, forcing Hulk to seek refuge at The Team Formerly Known as Jordan.

He should probably sacrifice a goat of gratitude to the ghost of Quantum, really, and then feel a bit miffed that he's not still at Williams...:whistle:
 
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Red Bull have brought five full-calibrated Gill FMFSs to Malaysia, bought from sources outside of F1, at a combined cost of $130,000 USD. Of which, Dr. Marko remarked, "So much for saving money." One of the five (mounted in Ricciardo's car) already experienced a total failure. Toro Rosso had two sensors fail today.

Horner states that they can accept an error rate of 0.25% from the FMFS, which is what Gill claims the device is capable of, but not 2%.

Actually there is something in the rules that (clearly) indicates you must use the fuel sensor:
5.2.5 Cars must be fitted with homologated sensors which provide all necessary signals to the FIA data logger in order to verify the requirements above are being respected
Quite clear to me that the FIA sensor is used to establish if the fuelflow is within the legal limit.
I don't see Red Bull winning this.
You are cherry-picking details that support your argument to the exclusion of details that are exculpatory. TR 5.10.3 give the fuel injector sensor homologation status, same as 5.10.4 (fuel mass flow sensor). There is no regulation that gives data from the FMFS dominion over data from the fuel injector sensors. Under the purview of the technical regs, the devices are equals.

The critical difference is that the homologated fuel measuring device authorised by 5.10.3 still meets homologation spec when mounted in Red Bull's car. The device authorised by 5.10.4 proveably does not, and not just in Red Bull's cars, but across the grid. Which means, in effect, TD/01614 is a directive to disregard TR 5.10.4. No TD can countermand a TR. The stewards exceeded their authority.
 
Blod Zbod ... I commented on Wombcat post yesterday ... 5.2.5 refers to "other means of propulsion and energy recovery" ... not the Fuel System which is explicitly covered in 5.10 ... ironically if 5.10.3 was written like 5.2.5 and it made a reference to fuel flow 100kg/hr there would be no appeal ...

I don't read 5.10.4 as you have above ... it merely says you can only have one homologated sensor and it must be within the fuel tank ... which RBR complied with ... there is only one homologated sensor ... RBR also complied with 5.10.3 in my mind ...

I think the appeal will be argued on a narrow purview of each section, sub-section and sub-sub section (RBR) vs a broader view of the TR's (FIA) ...

Reading some Horner comments about Melbourne this morning about DR's sensor was drifting ... presumably showing an increasing and widening gap vs the fuel rail measurement ... even mentioned that Perez sensor failed completely for the entire race ... I would love to know how the FIA Tech Delegate dealt with that ...
 
He didn't actually turn it down though, did he? It was the non-appearance of the Quantum money that forced Lotus to accept Maldo's Millions instead, forcing Hulk to seek refuge at The Team Formerly Known as Jordan.

He should probably sacrifice a goat of gratitude to the ghost of Quantum, really, and then feel a bit miffed that he's not still at Williams...:whistle:

Maybe with the Quantum money Lotus would have created a functioning automotive vehicle.
 
Poor Grosjean, a waste of talent in that Loltus :(

As for the win, its Mercedes' to lose now. A second over 3rd! McLaren 1984, anyone?
 
I mentioned this in chat but who is making the decision about tyres for McLaren? It does seem that it is someone back at the MTC looking at a computer rather than outside at the actual track conditions. McLaren were always on the wrong tyre compared to everyone else.
 
From what JB was saying they don't think they could have done any better as the car isn't quick in the wet, or the heat. So he (or they) wanted to try something radical as it's paid off in the past which given KMag is good in the wet too they may have tried with both. KMag decided he needed to be on wets, JB gave it a shot.
 
Q2 was the same, they came out on the wrong tyres compared to everyone else and pitted straight away. That difference in time almost cost them as they missed the best of the drier weather. Most of the other teams judged it right but McLaren are doing something different.
 
^^ his tyre calls!!

Rosberg must be very disappointed with third. Looks like Vettel got in with fresh rubber just before the rain intensified.
 
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