Car dynamicAverage turn angle : 139°
This angle indicates the average angle of a circuit's expressed in degree. The higher the average turn angle, the more acute corners in circuit's configuration and hence the greater propensity for understeer to compromise lap time. In Sepang, it has one of the highest average angle in the F1's calendar and as a consequence of the circuit physical layout, an understeering car will have a punitive effect on lap time.
End of Straight (E.O.S) speed : 12th fastest
Sepang rank as the 12th fastest EOS across the championship. And this one indicator of the wing level typically selected to optimise the downforce/drag ratioed.
Pit Lane Strategy
The pitlane length and architechture (ie, corner in the pitlane entry) contribute to the optimum pit stop strategy. The pitlane loss is approximately 22 seconds, that makes it as the 5th most penalising pitlane in the championship. Meanwhile to complete a normal 5km around the Sepang circuit requires 2.38kg of fuel against an average of 2.42kg per 5km across all circuit in the championship, making Sepang circuit the 5th most demanding track of the year in term of fuel consumption.
Safety Car
Another key contributor to the determination of race strategy is the deployment of safety car, which are influenced by weather conditions. The availability of clear run-off areas that allow racing to continue while recovery takes place and the circuit profile, especially the character of the entry and exit into turn one at the start of the race. Since 2002, there has been only 2 times the safety car has been deployed, making in statistically unlikely that the circuit character, based on historic data, will induce safety car period.
Temperature, pressure and humidity
Sepang is 40m above sea level and has an average pressure (1004.41 mbar) when compared to other venues. As a consequence, the circuit ambient characteristics will be average for engine performance across all tracks in the calendar.
Circuit snapshot
Sepang 5..543km purpose-built circuit provides a blend of medium and high speed corners interspersed with several slow speed sections and blisteringly fast straights. Such a dynamics circuit poses a particular challenge for the drivers and their engineers as a quick lap depends on a car with a well balanced set-up for the complex mix of corners, plenty of power for the straights and sufficient cooling capabilities to counterbalance the extreme of temperature and powerful humidity.
With temperature reaching 40°C in Sepang, climatic conditions can play a significant role in the outcome of Malaysian GP. Coupled with the high humidity level and constant threat of heavy downpours, the drivers and their cars will be push to their thermal limit. As temperatures soar, so will the heat of the cockpit, and the drivers physical and mental fitness level will be severely tested as they lose over a litre of fluid per hour in the race.
Sepang is not regarded as the power circuit, with the time spent on full throttle is relatively low, but containing the oil temperatures in the extreme heat, while not compromising aerodynamics efficiency, will be imperative for their reliability.
Until Then,
Have a nice day
-=Cheers=-
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