Top 5 After Friday's Practice at Sepang
Lewis Hamilton was fastest in practice at Sepang yesterday. Ahead of today's Qualifiers Hamilton (McLaren) was first, Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) second, Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) third, Jesen Button (McLaren) fourth and Michael Schumacher (Mercedes) fifth. We woke optimistic that our bet (Hamilton first, Button second and Schumy third) was looking good. However, the nagging pessimist in us was saying "anything can happen in F1 and REALLY anything can happen in Sepang".
It Happened - Rain Shuffles Results - All Change for Sepang
Just before the start of Qualifying the rain put in a spectacular appearance. You'd think that teams like McClaren and Ferrari, with their decades of Formula 1 experience, would have their plan B (the rain plan) firmly in place - but it seems they didn't. Hence, Hamilton and Alonso - McLaren and Ferrari - did not make in past Qualifying 1. That's right, Hamilton will start tomorrow's Malaysian Grand Prix in 20th and Alonso in 19th. Phew!
The Top 5 Starters at Sepang
Because of the Sepang rain Qualifying times were more than 10 seconds slower than at yeatserday's practice. Mark Webber (Red Bull) gambled on intermediate tyres in the final Qualifying session and his gamble completely paid off: Webber starts in pole. Webber's Red Bull team mate Sebastian Vettel elected to stay on intermediates and made only third. The interloper is Mercedes' Nico Rosberg (starts in second). Fourth was secured by Adrian Sutil in the Force India car. Congratulation goes to the rookie driver Nico Hulkenberg in the Williams.
All Bets Off!
Our bet that Hamilton would stand first on the finishing podium at tomorrow's Malaysian Grand Prix still stands but the odds have gone out. What the heck, we only bet £2. We will place the same bet today. Hamilton (our hero) first, Button second and Schumy third. After all, anything can happen in Formula 1 and especially on the Sepang circuit.
Wishing Hamilton all the Best for the Malaysian Grand Prix 2010
Image from Wikipedia
