Malaysian Grand Prix Preview
Just five days after its F1 race debut in Australia, the
Force India Formula One Team will be back in action for the
second event of the year, the Malaysian Grand Prix, from 21
- 23 March. The team's performance was encouraging throughout
the weekend in Australia, however its strong potential ultimately
culminated in a disappointing race with both cars retiring
in the early stages.
The team is however now focussed on making amends in the
heat and humidity of Malaysia. With new aero developments
to debut at this event, the team has set its sights on achieving
a competitive finish this time out. The team will draw on
Giancarlo Fisichella's rich experience of this event: the
Italian has raced at every Malaysian Grand Prix held and took
victory in the 2006 event. Adrian Sutil made his Malaysian
Grand Prix debut last year.
The 56-lap race will take place at the Sepang International
Circuit, 60km from the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur.
Team quotes
Dr. Vijay Mallya, chairman and managing director
'The Australian Grand Prix gave us much encouragement. With
strong performances from both drivers over the weekend we
showed an improvement over this time last year. It was disappointing
not to get to Q2 as we wanted and then to have the double
retirement, but even so, the morale is much improved over
2007.
We can see we are making tangible improvements. To be in
the top ten in two practice sessions and then just a couple
of tenths from Q2 is a clear demonstration of this, and being
in a position to fight for points has really lifted the team.
I'm delighted to see that we have great spirit and everyone
is now absolutely committed to find those extra tenths to
improve performance.'
Colin Kolles, team principal
'I was very pleased with Australia despite the ultimate race
result, and I think we can continue the trend in Malaysia
this weekend. Giancarlo has won at the track before, and now
Adrian has previous experience of the circuit after his first
Malaysian race in 2007. The drivers compliment each other
very well and we seem to be getting the most out of the car.
The rest of the field looks strong, but I think we can be
there fighting too.'
Mike Gascoyne, chief technical officer
'I think we have to go to Malaysia with the same objectives
we set out in Australia. We were very unlucky over in Melbourne
to miss out on Q2 by just a fraction of a second, and then
both cars going out so early. I think apart from a couple
of people, 'what might have been' is everybody's headline!
At the start Giancarlo obviously had nowhere to go and then
Adrian was also running pretty well, and was actually being
held up by Glock. Both looked to be pretty competitive, and
were happy with the car. Considering how the race turned out
it was very frustrating though because we could have finished
well.
'We did however show a clear step forward in competitiveness.
This time last year we knew we were a second off the back
of everyone. In Australia we showed we are a lot closer, and
with new parts for Malaysia now we should be in a position
to make another step forward.'
Driver quotes
Giancarlo Fisichella
'I am looking forward to Malaysia now so we can show what
we can really do over a race. As we went out very early in
Australia, we could not demonstrate how much closer we now
are relative to the other teams. The VJM01 feels more consistent
and stable, and now we have some new aero parts coming for
this race I think we can make another step forward.
'I have good memories of the race here too. I won in 2006
with Renault and, although we will not be in that position
now, I do think we should be able to put in a good performance.
My aim is the same as before: I want to take the team into
Q2 for the first time, and then finish the race. As Australia
showed, anything can happen and if we are there, then we have
a good chance of picking up a good result.'
Adrian Sutil
'I enjoy Malaysia, even though it is very tough on drivers
with the heat and humidity. It is also a very bumpy track
so it makes it very physically demanding. I think I will be
well prepared though as Australia was also hot and I am spending
three days training in Malaysia to acclimatise. Last year
was my first time in Sepang and it was not such a great event
for us. Unfortunately we were not as quick as the others on
the long straights, and then I went out very early on in the
race in an accident.
This year I think we will be better. I am really disappointed
that I did not get into second qualifying and then could not
finish the race in Australia, as I think we could have finished
very high up with the way the race went. But you just have
to forget that now and look forward to the next event. Q2
is for sure my aim, and I really think we could make it this
time.'
Malaysian Grand Prix information
2008 marks the 10th anniversary of the inclusion of the Malaysian
Grand Prix on the F1 calendar. The 5.543km Sepang track was
the first of the purpose-built Hermann Tilke-designed circuits
to appear on the calendar in 1999. The 15-turn track contains
a variety of corners, from a tight second gear hairpin leading
on to the pit straight to two high-speed sweeping corners
at turns five and six and a fast double-apex right hander.
Even now, the track is still regarded as one of the best and
most challenging of the recent generation of new circuits.
The track is built in a natural amphitheatre close to the
ultra-modern KL International Airport on the site of a former
palm plantation. From anywhere in the grandstands, fans can
see at least 50% of the track and from the hibiscus-shaped
shaded grandstand on the main pit straight, a view of at least
70% is possible.
With tricky combinations of corners, braking stability is
key, although with understeer predominating in the long slower
corners, getting a good balance can be difficult. The most
difficult challenge for drivers, however is the high levels
of humidity and searing temperatures - with humidity an average
of 70% and cockpit temperature well over 40 degrees, the race
is one of the most physically demanding that the drivers visit
over the course the season. As such, Adrian Sutil headed across
to Langkawi, an island off the west coast of the Malaysian
Peninsula, for a warm weather training camp, while Giancarlo
Fisichella and Tonio Liuzzi flew straight to Malaysia to acclimatise
to the warmer conditions.
It's demanding for the team too, as performance can be compromised
by the heat as the circuit loses grip during the heat of the
day as tyre and aerodynamic performance drops. The high temperatures
mean a real test for the cooling systems, and with the engines
now on the second race of their cycle, they will be carefully
monitored to ensure reliability.
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