Another retirement in Sepang could leave him with an unwelcome gap to bridge
so early in the season. Hamilton even admitted last night that Mercedes need
to make the most of their early advantage for as long as it lasts.
The Malaysian Grand Prix – a race which could well be affected by the same
monsoon weather which delayed qualifying by nearly an hour – is also one
Hamilton has so far failed to add to his bow.
After coming through an “all over the place” qualifying hour, the 29-year-old
will need to be at his sharpest to keep Sebastian Vettel, who showed further
signs of Red Bull’s resurgence, as well as his team-mate behind.
The reigning champion had suffered an early scare, with an energy store issue
on his chronically troublesome Renault engine threatening his progress in
Q1. But a simple “system reset protocol” – or in layman’s terms, turning it
off and on again – provided the cure. Red Bull showed the expected
improvement in wet conditions, and Vettel will be hoping for more of the
same if he is to hold on to second in the race.
Despite all the regulation changes, and the torrid conditions, the best three
teams from 2013 filled the top six places, with Daniel Ricciardo in fifth
sandwiched between the two Ferraris.
It had looked as if Hamilton would come under enormous pressure in the final
minutes, but the rain worsened once more, preventing most of the field from
bettering their time.
The 2008 world champion has been in philosophical mood so far this season,
with his “all things happen for a reason” mentality unfairly attracting some
negative headlines in Melbourne. Last night he was in a similarly reflective
mood.
“To be honest I can’t really believe it”, he said.
“I remember the first time I qualified, then I had 32, and now 33. I remember
being at home, watching my first race. I remember the room, I remember where
I was sitting. I remember when Jenson [Button] had his first race in
Melbourne [in 2000].
“And just to think I’m here now and I’ve had this many pole positions. And
hopefully there is still a long way to go.”
A torrential shower 45 minutes before the session had put everyone behind
schedule, but by the time the drivers finally emerged – after numerous trial
runs by the safety car – a racing line was obvious, and it was dry enough
for intermediate tyres. It was another case of unwarranted caution, perhaps.
The wet conditions proved too much for rookie Marcus Ericsson, however, who
ended the first session early after a spectacular crash. To be fair to the
Swede, it was his first time driving a Formula One car in the rain, but the
conditions did not help him and the usual suspects in making their way into
Q2.
The second segment passed without surprise, although both McLarens left it
late to make it through.
It was an average qualifying for the team, with Kevin Magnussen eighth and
Jenson Button 10th.
Button will be hoping for a similar performance to Melbourne, where he surged
his way through the pack after a midfield start to claim a podium finish;
the first since the death of his father, John.
But the 34-year-old did admit that he was relieved at being denied the
opportunity to spray the champagne, after Daniel Ricciardo’s post-race
exclusion from second.
Button, who lost ‘Papa Smurf’ earlier this year, said: “Looking back I think
it was a good thing that I wasn’t on it. I was able to enjoy it with the
people that I around me.
“As it was, I had a couple of drinks on Sunday night – more than a couple. I
was a mess, but I needed that.”
Asked if the podium had helped provide any closure, he added: “No, it didn’t
change anything. Every race is going to feel the same, but it was good to
get a result in Melbourne.”