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
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