As ever in Sepang, there looks to be a big chance of rain on Sunday, so how
the teams and drivers react and cope will be key. Red Bull look to be the
team most likely to be advantaged by rain, because they are down on absolute
power which is of less significance compared to the dry.
3. Sub-plot
The appeal over Daniel Ricciardo’s exclusion in Australia is very much a test
case. We’re at the very beginning of a situation where, for the first time,
the FIA is able to monitor systems and compliance with the regulations
during the race. This is one of the most significant changes in the sport,
and it’s the first time I believe the FIA has had real-time monitoring.
It is a test case for what is going to happen in the future. If it was a
simple question of whether Red Bull broke the technical regulation, then I
suspect they would be found not guilty, but that’s not what is under
scrutiny.
There have been some complaints over how long the decision took. My view is,
give people time, and they’ll take time. It would be better if there was a
cap on it of say two hours, and beyond that it automatically goes to a
hearing, which is at a time away from the weekend, and until then all
results stand.
MALAYSIA GRAND PRIX at the Sepang Circuit
Circuit length: 3.444 miles, 56 laps
2013 winner: Sebastian Vettel
DETAILS
Saturday Practice 3, 5am GMT, Qualifying 8am
Sunday Race 9am
TELEVISION
Qualifying BBC2 (7am, repeated 1.15pm) Sky Sports F1 (7am)
Race BBC1 (8am 1.45pm) Sky Sports F1 (7.30am)
WEATHER
Highs of 33C, 60% chance of thunderstorms on both days