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fter the euphoria following the Australian GP at Albert Park in Melbourne last Sunday, what does Sepang hold for F1 fans this coming weekend?

First of all, with just a week in between the season’s opening races there is little chance for teams to improve their cars. Although due to the nature of the 5.54 km Sepang circuit, a very different top 5 could be in evidence at race end.  

Walking the corridors of ESPN STAR Sports the last few days, I have been witness to many, saying how exciting and exhilarating last weekend’s opening GP was. Highs, lows, Hamilton’s nose put out of joint, another Massa mess, Button atop the podium and Vettel in the unusual position of 2nd.

Sepang provides us with one of the toughest tests of the F1 calendar. It is also the first purpose built
track as opposed to Melbourne’s street set-up.

With such a high level of humidity, water loss for the drivers is a worry. Liters of fluid are lost to the testing elements! Rain is also a concern. As it stands, precipitation is forecast for the weekend. Lewis Hamilton will be licking his lips at the thought of getting one over his teammate and rival Jenson Button if rain does prevail — the ’08 Champion is strong in wet conditions.

The circuit itself provides drivers with elevated and depressed speed corners allied to two long straights that give driver and viewer plenty.  Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber will be more suited to this style of track — certainly more so than Melbourne. Tyre wear comes into play because of the heat emitting from the asphalt. Heightened tyre erosion to the Pirelli compounds could be a determining factor on how new tyres will fare in this very different environment.

Recall that in last year’s race, there were 58 pit-stops with tyre wear. The order of the midfield changed every minute at race end and the track was covered in what looked like black hail stones — Bridgestone’s and Pirelli’s to be precise.  

In a nutshell, it is key for team principals and drivers to get their race set-up spot on and the earlier the better.

Whatever happens, Sepang always provides us with the drama that we love about Formula 1. So put your carbon footprints aside for now and enjoy the logistical behemoth that is F1. Sit back and let our very own petrol heads — Sanjeev Parlar, Paula Malai-Ali, Steve Dawson, Alex Yoong and Steve Slater guide you through a thrilling weekend in southern Malaysia — live on ESPN HD and STAR Sports.