Descending on Sepang
Looking ahead to the Malaysian Grand Prix
by F1 Rumours for ITV-F1 Viewfinder
With Formula One extending into the Far East, Malaysia will be hosting it's first Grand Prix. The circuit has been seen by only two of the drivers - and then in GT cars - so this is the nearest thing to a level playing field the newer drivers to Formula One will see!
Adding to the spice of the event, Michael Schumacher has decided to play an ace for Ferrari - announcing his return to the sport despite being short on fitness. Few can doubt he will have some impact, particularly after clocking lap records in testing….
Ferrari's temporary number one, Eddie Irvine, has to be pleased to see Schumacher's return. His performances in the last few races have not been anything to write home about - whether the car was off the pace, or his team lost a tyre in the pits. However, testing shows the developments are coming through, and with Schumacher to refocus the team, maybe even running guard, things are definitely looking up for the Irishman!
Hakkinen, having wasted an opportunity at the last Grand Prix, must now be concerned that Ferrari have a better chance at his title than he does. McLaren are, as usual, going to be quick; there's no doubt. They have been the only team this year that's always been quick enough to challenge for pole. Having said which, unforced errors have been a major bane, and despite leading both championships, their position is precarious: Eddie Irvine has always impressed at Suzuka, so they expect to have trouble there.
The dark horse for this event must be Heinz-Harald Frentzen. Misfortune at the Nurburgring robbed him of a potential win, and the forecasted showers will suit the Jordan nicely. The German has looked impressive all year, and the team is going exceptionally well as the season comes to a close - what's more, despite the points disadvantage, he is the only other real contender for the World Championship.
The Stewart team will be looking to capitalise on the confidence brought by their first win. Johnny Herbert's win from fourteenth was clearly an excellent moral boost for the team; and they will undoubtedly be fighting with Williams for the tail end points!
But with the circuit such an unknown quantity, all the teams have some hopes of doing well. Prost's updated engine stood them in good stead at the European Grand Prix, and even Minardi's long wheel-base car has shown promise. Indeed, the only team looking likely to struggle is Arrows, whose effort is all on next year's project.
Learning a new circuit from scratch, and potential rain, should allow the more flamboyant drivers to show their stuff - at least until they come off the circuit! Watch out for Jean Alesi in the Sauber, Jacques Villeneuve at BAR, Ralf Schumacher and Alex Zanardi (yes, really) at Williams, and Heinz-Harald Frentzen of Jordan. These drivers should all bear watching, even if Hakkinen, Michael Schumacher and Irvine are battling for supremacy at the front!
Article is written by and copyright (c) 1999 F1 Rumors.
Previously published at the ITV-F1 website
|
