Who fought that F1 could have been this exciting? It’s fair
to say that this year’s Malaysian Grand Prix will go down as one of the more
memorable races of the season, even if for the wrong reasons with the
controversial matter of team orders rearing it’s ugly head once again –
although it really depends which side of the coin you’re on as to whether
that’s a bad thing or not – with Sebastian Vettel taking possibly his least
popular victory of all time (some achievement if you listen closely to those
who aren’t the biggest fans of the three time World Champion) after disobeying
calls to stay behind Mark Webber late in the race and the same scenario was
also played out with Mercedes further behind as Nico Rosberg was kept behind
Lewis Hamilton despite being clearly faster.
The recriminations for the next few weeks may be few and far
between for those looking to see a good old team-mate scrap between the two
pairs (there’s been plenty of animosity in the build up which should manifest
itself properly on raceday), but for punting purposes it was clear to see that
there were two teams well clear of the others at the end – Red Bull and
Mercedes – with Ferrari not too far behind and Lotus clearly having the raceday
pace to make podium challenges at the least judged upon the way that they were
able to make the best of poor grid positions to finish in a relatively
comfortable 6th and 7th at the end. On a similar track
which – while not designed to be typically damaging towards tyres with so many
straight-line sections – does favour teams who can manage their tyres well and
in any case, the absence of the hard compounds swings the pendulum well in
favour of Raikkonen and Grosjean, who can be backed for a third straight points
finish at an appealing 5/6 with Paddy Power.
Also worth backing for a double points finish are Force
India, who have come here very much under the radar with the controversy at the
front of the grid but have impressed with their speed in Melbourne, and were
well on their way to top 10 finishes when a wheel nut problem ended their
challenge in Malaysia. They’ve looked well upto the pace in practice so far –
both inside the top 10 – and are showing the pace to contend with the best of
the midfield again.
At a circuit very similar in layout to Malaysia, with two
huge straights and several, long sweeping corners including the typical Herman
Tilke feature of the hairpin turn following a long stretch, it seems reasonable
to suggest that the formlines which were well bourne out all the way through the
last weekend could well be the ones to follow on a track which is very similar
to Malaysia and will reward the car with the best mix of tyre matinence and
straightline speed.
That car looked to be, and probably is, the Red Bull, and
7/2 about Sebastian Vettel taking another victory from what’s likely to be pole
makes some early appeal. First on the grid here 2009, 2010 and 2011, and first
on the grid twice this season already, bookmakers have pushed him out for pole
position following some fair docile efforts in practice but the quotes of 7/4
are tempting enough to back him to take the top spot on the grid yet again
before another win here; Mercedes are obviously hugely respected at a track
which has good memories for them, and their dominance of practice 1 was
ominous, but Red Bull easily had their number over race pace and Vettel’s the
obvious choice. Watch out for big prices about Kimi Raikkonen after qualifying,
as he’s struggled to get heat into his tyres for a one lap test but has had
plenty of success from mixed grid positions.
Advice
1 pt Sebastian Vettel (17/5 Bet Victor, 3/1 general)
5 pts Lotus double points finish (5/6 Paddy Power)
1 pt Force India double points finish (15/8 general)
Advice – Pole Position
1 pt Sebastian Vettel (37/20 Youwin, 6/4 general)
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