Malaysia: pre-qualifying 2017

It’s the last race in Malaysia. A shame, as I rather like it. Of the new circuits, only the US track stands out as better. Unfortunately, it seems that the new owners (Liberty) want more street circuits. I saw a diagram of a proposed Danish track, a collection of straights and ninety degree corners. It did not make me tingle at the prospect.

There has been an unexpected minor churn in the driver lineup. Renault, it seems, failed in a bid to pay Palmer to sod off early to get Sainz in. So, Sainz stayed at Toro Rosso, but Kvyat has been shunted aside (unsure if it’s for the whole season but sounds like it might be) for Pierre Gasly. Next year, Gasly could well be joined by Japanese driver Nobuharu Matsushita. Whether there’s any place for Kvyat (or, indeed, Palmer) remains to be seen.

Whilst I’m wibbling about drivers, Williams are looking at options for Massa’s seat. They may retain the Brazilian, opt for Kubica (if he passes testing) or perhaps go for di Resta, who had an impressive showing earlier this year when thrust into the car at the last minute for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Throughout the weekend heavy showers are common, making things tricky.

In a wet first practice it was spring time for Red Bull with Verstappen and Ricciardo topping the time sheet. Alonso, Raikkonen and Vettel were next, with Hamilton, Bottas, Stroll, Gasly and Sirotkin (standing in for Hulkenberg) next.

Second practice was drier but had perils of its own. Grosjean was struck by a loose drain cover that ruined his tyre and thrust his car into the barrier. Thankfully, he was fine.

Vettel was fastest in second practice, ahead of his team mate, Ricciardo, and Verstappen. Alonso continued his impressive form in fifth, followed by Hamilton, Bottas, Perez, Hulkenberg and Ocon.

I wouldn’t read too much into Mercedes’ slightly weak performance so far. Alonso seems to be doing rather well (remains to be seen how long his engine will last, though. Luckily for him, for once, the one he was using in Singapore is fine so he doesn’t, yet, incur a grid penalty).

Because third practice is early (7-8am), I’ve put this pre-qualifying ramble up a day early.

The only bet that appeared remotely tempting was Verstappen not to be classified at 3.75 (Ladbrokes). He has a 50% DNF rate. However, Malaysia sees relatively few crashes (weather for the race is uncertain) and it’d probably have to be either reliability or a lap one incident.

In the end, I decided to back it. The retirement rate makes it 50/50, but the odds are far too long. Most of the time it’s reliability anyway. He should be 2 or 2.5.

Qualifying is at 10am UK time, and the race starts at 8am UK time.

The pre-race ramble will be up tomorrow, though I’ve already offered a tip and will only offer another if something looks rather tempting.

Morris Dancer