2013 Malaysian Grand Prix: Race Recap

Source: World Car Fans

Sepang International Circuit: the essence of wetness. Although I predicted no rain for the race yesterday, I was 'technically' wrong since the race was started on the Green Intermediate tires. However, within 4-6 laps, the drivers all switched to dry weather racing slicks for the duration of the race...so, almost correct. Anyway, I predicted a final of:

1. Alonso
2. Vettel
3. Raikkonen
4. Massa
5. Hamilton
6. Webber
7. Button
8. Sutil
9. Rosberg
10. di Resta

The top ten was actually:

1. Vettel
2. Webber
3. Hamilton
4. Rosberg
5. Massa
6. Grosjean
7. Raikkonen
8. Hulkenberg
9. Perez
10. Vergne

 Hmmm, not too accurate, eh? Well, Alonso could have easily won the race if he didn't cock up and decide to go around for another lap when he, and the team, KNEW he had a damaged wing. It was a gamble that didn't pay off. The real story about that contact, though, is how Vettel manages to get hit, and receive no damage at all to his car. He escaped damage in Brazil last year after he had an impact that would have retired any of the other drivers. Luck, it's a cruel mistress.

The boring story that everyone will be clamoring about is the Vettel v. Webber 'race orders' fight. Team orders, are team orders - they should be followed. But, if you're a troll, you think it's cool to root for the guy who ignores team orders, or the guy who is told to move over for your super best friend favorite driver. Anyway, this won't be the end of the Vettel v. Webber feud this year, and I could see this getting much worse.

Lotus had a good race but was slowed down by traffic, due in large part to their lackluster results from qualifying.

Ferrari managed to score points from a solid drive by Massa. The Sauber cars managed to string together a good race, due in large part to the 'wheel nut' issues plaguing the Force India team. Sutil will be a darkhorse for a podium at every race this year.

Mercedes, is the new McLaren, and Mclaren is the new Mercedes. They'll both be in the mix, but the Rosberg/Hamilton dynamic may end up being toxic in the near future.

Anyway, a good race overall. Now we have to wait three weeks for the third round of the 2013 Championship at the Chinese Grand Prix. Cheers.