Malaysian GP - this weekend

[Jims5543]

80% chance of Rain for Qualy and 50% chance of rain for the race. Could be interesting, even make Melbourne look sane.

Button Predicts all Hell will break loose.

Jenson Button reckons "all hell will break loose" if it rain as forecast during Sunday's Malaysian GP.

While the Malaysian race is known for its tropical heat and intense humidity, this year fierce tropical storms are also expected.

The latest forecast gives an 80% possibility of heavy rain affecting Saturday's qualifying, with a 50% chance of the race being disrupted by rain on Sunday.

Should it come down on either day it promises to be a difficult and trying time for the drivers, who will be competing for the first time in the rain without traction control.

Although many of them have done some laps in the wet with no TC during testing, there is a vast difference between testing and racing.

And according to Honda driver Button, the intensity of the downpours expected could wreck havoc on Sunday's grand prix.

"I heard they've built some good asphalt run-offs here now," Button told Autosport. "That's great because we're going to need it.

"Here, it never drizzles, it's always outrageous and all hell will break loose without traction control.

"If there is water running across the circuit, it will be tough. In low-speed corners, if you exit and you've still got lock on and hit a river you don't know is there, it will just spin the wheel and you'll be gone. Trying to control it is very difficult."

[cl8ton]

I envision a scenario somewhat like Germany last year!
TC had no effect as Sir Isaac Newton was driving their cars

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Button will likely be retired after lap #5 anyway with a mechanical failure or someone running into him, so what's he worried about?

That guy needs to get on a decent team or sacrifice something to the luck gods or something. Worst luck of any driver in the field. ALWAYS something happening to him.

[sammyg2]

It's on at freaking midnight? I can't understand why the rest of the world can't adjust their schedules to be more accommodating to the US.
Let them race at night, I don't care. As long as I can watch a race without nearly falling asleep I'm happy

[cl8ton]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

As long as I can watch a race without nearly falling asleep I'm happy

+1 on that! I dozed off watching practice last night.

F1 Cliffsnotes from the last wet race…Webber should avoid Vettel at all costs!

[Komenda Fan]

If it rains, I predict only Hamilton will finish, what with no traction control, hot weather and the fact that half the grid probably doesn't belong in an F1 car in the first place...

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

It's on at freaking midnight? I can't understand why the rest of the world can't adjust their schedules to be more accommodating to the US.
Let them race at night, I don't care. As long as I can watch a race without nearly falling asleep I'm happy

Tivo son, tivo the puppy!

[Seric]

Anyone but Hamilton.

[chapo]

I'm sure Ron Dennis is worried about the rain and no traction control. Oh wait, Mclaren manufactures the black boxes for all the teams. Mclaren would never, well...

[Seric]

Originally Posted by chapo

I'm sure Ron Dennis is worried about the rain and no traction control. Oh wait, Mclaren manufactures the black boxes for all the teams. Mclaren would never, well...

Speaking of ECUs, I have a weird feeling that they are going to be in the middle of the "big controversy of the 2008 season".

Even the Speed announcers were pondering last night during practice why McLaren was aloud to supply the ECUs. Tinfoil hat people rejoice! Heck, I can see it now. Ron Dennis sitting at the pit lane control center with a grid of buttons labled "ECU kill switches" and numbers 1 through 22 on it.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Nah, we all know it was just all stolen from Ferrari anyway, right?

[Won]

Speaking of the black boxes, wasn't one of the commentators talking about McLaren cars leaving the garage without any sign of jerky clutch engagement during Friday practice? Maybe they found a "hidden" function in the ECU.

[DaveE]

Originally Posted by Won

Speaking of the black boxes, wasn't one of the commentators talking about McLaren cars leaving the garage without any sign of jerky clutch engagement during Friday practice? Maybe they found a "hidden" function in the ECU.

"Found" should be in quotes also........................

[cl8ton]

McLaren should be Ferrari’s last concern with the ECU!
In true MS spirit there will be a flood of Hot Patches coming, each and everyone requiring a reboot

[Seric]

Originally Posted by cl8ton

McLaren should be Ferrari’s last concern with the ECU!
In true MS spirit there will be a flood of Hot Patches coming, each and everyone requiring a reboot

Ferrari won't win a race until Service Pack 2.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by Seric

Ferrari won't win a race until Service Pack 2.

hello, 2012

[Eric Coffey]

[Seric]

Team BSOD

[cl8ton]

Heh...thats the one! Hell I thought them ECU's were running Pocket PC
Wonder if thats what Kimi was starring at on his wheel as he coasted to a stop.

[teenerted1]

Originally Posted by Sammyg2

It's on at freaking midnight? I can't understand why the rest of the world can't adjust their schedules to be more accommodating to the US.
Let them race at night, I don't care. As long as I can watch a race without nearly falling asleep I'm happy

Sammy someone is listening

there is at least one night race this year...i think it will be Singapore

they were saying last week that if Australia wants to keep its place on the schedule they need to switch to a nite race too.

i prefer the late night broadcasts...better than the 4am Sunday stuff when they are on the continent.