Malaysian Grand Prix Analysis

For many people, Renault was the star of Sepang. A one-two finish by Fisichella and Alonso capped off a wonderful weekend by the French team. While other manufacturers were hampered by engine and/or mechanical problems, they were the most reliable team of the weekend.

But the question that came to my mind after this weekend was if Jenson will be able to win his first grand prix this year.

Looking at the result table, Jenson came in third behind both Renaults. Pretty good result, but when you see the actual time gap between him and Alonso, the picture becomes clearer. The Honda powered vehicle was simply not fast enough to match the pace of the R26. According to the post race interviews, he was driving each lap at the limit, meaning thats just about as fast as the RA007 could go. That is simply not fast enough to win a grand prix. They clearly have to improve on the aerodynamics of the car if they even want to match Renaults pace.

So, can he win? I think he can, but he will have to do it from pole position. He will have to lead the race from the opening lap, set a blistering pace, and hope that Renault, Ferrari, and Mclaren trip over each other into the first corner. This is easier said than done, as the launch control system of the Honda is not as advanced as the one of Renault. In fact, Renault can actually run qualifying on a heavier fuel load because they can make up places during the start of the race, outdragging opponents into the first corner.

It is still early into the season though, so anything can happen!