Carbon copy?

The Sepang circuit, whose configuration is very different from that of Albert Park visited last Sunday, will allow us to know a little more about the potential of each team at the start of the season. Will Brawn GP confirm in Malaysia?

Published on 03/04/2009 à 00:21

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On a very smooth surface, with long straights and wide curves, the most balanced cars should be able to gain the upper hand. The Srec, which did not allow any driver who boarded it to stand out last week, should also be more useful.

But these small details might not slow down the progress of the Brawn GP in Malaysia. After a double in Australia, Ross Brawn's team is once again favorite. The recent demonstration remains on everyone's minds.

Renault, Ferrari, McLaren and especially BMW and Red Bull will seek to get closer, or even to bring down Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello, already propelled to the top of the bill.

This Grand Prix will also be an opportunity for “top drivers” to take their revenge. Lewis Hamilton, certainly upset by his disqualification, Heikki Kovalainen, Felipe Massa, Kimi Raïkkonen, Nick Heidfeld, to name but a few, owe a great performance to their supporters.

But the surprise could come from the sky. The storm which passed through Melbourne in the middle of the week could go so far as to call into question the start of the Grand Prix scheduled for 17:00 p.m. this Sunday in the event of a recurrence. If the same episode is repeated at the end of the week, it is difficult to see how twenty single-seaters could be launched on the track?

First tests Friday at 10:00 a.m. (4:00 a.m. in France). Qualifying on Saturday at 17:00 p.m. (11:00 a.m.) and racing on Sunday at 17:00 p.m. (11:00 a.m.).