Race 2 - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Write-up

Date: 27 November 2011
Grand Prix: Formula 1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Circuit Length: 5.543km
Weather: Q: Clear. R: Clear, Late Showers.
Circuit Overview:



Stats:

Circuit Placing:
1st - 25pts - DAVIDSON (Mercedes)
2nd - 18pts - MASSA (Ferrari)
3rd - 15pts - SCHUMACHER (Mercedes)
4th - 12pts - PETROV (Lotus-Renault)
5th - 10pts - ALGUERSUARI (STR-Ferrari)
6th - 8pts - HAMILTON (McLaren)
7th - 6pts - GRANTHAM (McLaren)
8th - 4pts - PORRITT (Lotus-Renault)
9th - 2pts - MARTIN (STR-Ferrari)
10th - 1pt - CENTOFANTI (Ferrari)
11th - DNC - CROSBY (Red Bull Racing)
12th - DNC - ROUGH (Force India)

Constructor Placing:
40 - Mercedes
19 - Ferrari
16 - Lotus-Renault
14 - McLaren
11 - STR-Ferrari
0 - Red Bull Racing
0 - Force India

Overview:


This reporter would like to start off this post-race report with the announcement of two new teams that the FIA committee agreed to enter into this year's Formula 1 season. Toro Rosso have join in with their new driver David Martin who made a fantastic start coming 9th in his first race and his co driver Jaime Alguersuari coming a close 5th. Force India has also joined in this year's championship with a disappointing record of not starting this race with their new driver Andrew Rough who could not make it.

As per new FIA regulations put in place as of the start of Race 2, if a team cannot field two drivers for the starting grid, the team will not be allowed to compete. This news brings our eyes to Red Bull Racing who were unfortunately, much to Mark Webber's dismay, were not able to field a whole team as their new driver Joe Crosby was unable to compete. This is not looking well for such a prestigious team, will they pick up their paces in Shanghai?

We turn our eyes now to what seems to be the promising golden child of this year's Formula 1 season, Andrew Davidson, who has once again finished with a flying first place position in Kuala Lumpur with his team mate Michael Schumacher coming a solid third. This really does look like it is going to be a promising year for team Mercedes.

Tonight's race was a fairly clean race with such a open track there is not much in opportunity for mistakes to be made. All of the newer drivers had spun off circuit once or twice with a few divers, Grantham and Porritt, making some spectacular recoveries.

The circuit began to get challenging from the 47th lap as rain clouds drifted over the Kuala Lumpur circuit and started to rain. The rain started to get heavy as of the 50th lap as drivers pitted to fit their cars with Intermediate and Wet tires. This change of weather showed how dynamic track conditions can be and how the formula one driver will need to suggest. All drivers showed a great amount of skill during this challenge.

This was very well run race and this reporter cannot wait to see what happens in Shanghai on Sunday 11th December 2011 at 08:30pm. Will Red Bull Racing start to live up to the name it made last year?

- The F1 Insider