Hmmm, predictions for this weekend's race? I suspect a few tweaks will have been made in people's minds since they watched the season opener last weekend, but for what it's worth here are my predictions;

Qualifying

1. Vettel
2. Hamilton
3. Button

Podium

1. Vettel
2. Hamilton
3. Button

I think there's a typo there stan, you forgot your 'tweaks'!

Qualifying

1. Hamilton
2. Button
3. Vettel

Podium

1. Button
2. Vettel
3. Hamilton

I reckon it will hinge on whether Hamilton can make his tyres last.

Just a note people, dont forget to get an early night on Saturday, as the clocks go forward and EVERY year someone comes on here and complains that they've missed the first hour of the Grand Prix!

Looks like another "Extended Highlights" job from the BBC this week, but proper service will resume in China.

1. Button
2. Schumacher
3. Alonso

Hamilton crashes into Vettel and takes Webber out in the process.

BBC Extended hilights for me but......

Quali:
Hamilton
Button
Vettel

Race
Hamilton
Vettel
MSC

Quali:

Ham
Vet
But

Race:

Ham
But
Vet

Although I really am not confident about this. Hamilton may over-drive or ruin his tyres, Vettel may not be able to switch on the tyres for a good quali lap, Ferrari (well, Alonso, let's be frank) may suddenly find the missing link or Mercedes might maintain their phenomenal qualifying pace.

I love how uncertain it is!

Qualifying

1. Vettel
2. Hamilton
3. Button

Podium

1. Vettel
2. Button
3. Skippy

Remember the Merc's F-duct - it should be very quick down the long straights at Sepang

Lewis doesn't have a good track record of making tyres last there, although he's undeniably quick in quali

Jenson is very good with his tyres and this will be the key on Sunday

Personally, I would LOVE to see Schuey on the podium again - one in the eye for all the youngsters - with the new car, I reckon he has a real chance - last week's retirement was a rare blip - I reckon he'll be buzzing around the top three all weekend

Quali:

Ham
Vet
But
(MSC 4th)

Race:

But
MSC
Vet

Listening to Gary Anderson on the beeb. he reckoned the 'F-duct' was worth 0.1s a lap advantage in Melbourne. That was only in practice and quali when they were able to use the DRS at anytime. I don't think it will be a huge advantage in Malaysia like it wasn't in OZ.

Their quali pace was very good but race pace was pants. Rosberg was averaging slower lap times than Alonso!

Looks like an interesting race you're expecting then?!

I think the order this weekend will be pretty much the same as last in terms of the top 3, with perhaps Seb out-qualifying Mark as the only significant difference further down the order. Oh, and Kimi further up the grid.

Looking forward to the extensive Sky coverage again

Nope!

I think we've had our exciting race for this season, but I hope to be proved wrong, very wrong!


In other news; Force India cops a £700,000 bill! Ouch!!

Talking of Sky, I saw this headline:

Australian GP Audience Down 2 Million on 2011

But I have to qualify that by saying it is the Daily Mail.

They go on to say the BBC copped some very healthy viewing figures for their highlights package. (3.2 Million Loyal BBC fans vs 874,000 mugs with more money than sense Sky viewers)

Good practice session for both the McLarens and the Mercs.

Should be a fascinating quali session tomorrow.

Looking forward to watching it live in HD

Why do I get the feeling that a certain Mr L Hamilton, formerly of Stevenage, wishes to grind his heel in the face of EVERYBODY ELSE ON THE GRID in EVERY SESSION?

Agree, then he gets all slapped arse face if he then goes and loses the GP. It is interesting the Red Bull Dominated Malaysia last year on a track that suits their car perfectly (or at least did) and this year they are where Mclaren were.

I do like the tyre factor this year, did not think I would ever say that. It means setting your car up for a blistering quali lap is not the guarantee of a race win it once was.

This could be Lewis' downfall as he does love a pole... not sure i like how that read

MSC looking strong at the moment. I'm pleased for the guy as I have a lot of respect for him these days. I was pleased to see Herr Fingerwagger struggling with his tyres

Indeed one of the reports commeneted on the terrible state of Webers tyres after one run. On the contrary they said teh Ferrari tyres looked almost untouched, but that is not desireable either.

Would love to see Schumi on the podium.

As has been said above, I think tyre management will be the key. Looks like the McLarens have a good set up that's giving them longer runs on a set. Bodes well for the race.

Hamilton for pole and I think for the race too

Allegedly Lewis was asked about his "slapped face" demeanour and said that this year he had decided not to engage in over the top celebrations etc but simply focus on the job in hand (I'm paraphrasing a tad) and that's the way he would approach the season.

Hmmm, so can we really expect a 'umble 'amilton on the podium top step? I'm not so sure, but you never know!

I read that Hamilton's slapped face routine was related his clutch problems off the start - he said that he was disappointed and there was no point in hiding it. I honestly don't mind it. It's not often footballers are criticised for crying if they are runners-up in the FA Cup final

But you don't see them crying when they go a goal down in the 1st minute of the game. There is a whole season to come, and if Lewis had lost the title due to the problem then i too would expect him to be royally peeved.

However more shenanigans regarding engine maps, Mercedes asking what Renault are doing in their maps if it is not going to 3 cylinders. The sound are not consistent with a four cylinder firing evidently.

I agree Bockers, there is definitely something weird sounding on the Renault engines, all of them! I think they are playing at something but why hasn't the FIA picked up on it before now?

I think the race and indeed the Championship will be going to Hamilton this year. For all his problems he is still arguably the quickest driver on the grid. Now that he is also driving the quickest car, I can see him getting it right more often than not.

Won't deny it, my Mégane sounds like spanners in a biscuit tin.

I have no problem with Hamilton being mardy, but it would look better if he hid it in public. I stand by what I said though before Australia - he feels he has a massive point to prove and if the McLaren works well, he will be very hard to beat over the season.

I also agree with MRS about Schumacher - I find him immeasurably less annoying now than I used to and would like to see him back up there.