Formula One is entering the closing stages of its 2016 season and, with the European portion of the year behind it, its time to start debating whether you should stay up late to watch F1, or go to bed extra early and set the alarm.
Whichever you choose, make sure your coffee is hot and ready. Speaking of hot, let’s take a look at the drivers who are hot - and one team which is not - heading into Sunday’s Malaysia GP.
Nico Rosberg - HOT
Nico Rosberg has never won the Malaysia GP, and that bodes well for him this weekend. At the past three races, he has arrived at the circuit winless at each track, and then left with the winner’s trophy. In doing so, he has taken the points lead back from his Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton, and he certainly seems to have momentum on his side heading into the closing stages of the season.
Sebastian Vettel - HOT
Last time out in Singapore, Sebastian Vettel produced a solid, albeit quiet, drive through the field. The German had been forced to start from the rear of the field after mechanical issues plagued him in qualifying, yet he took the checkered in fifth. Vettel is the only driver to have taken four wins at the Malaysia GP, his latest of which came just last year, which was his first win for Ferrari.
Williams - NOT
While Singapore is not their track, the Williams team was probably hoping to at least pick up some points last time out at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. However, that was not to be the case, and they failed to score a single point for just the second time in 2016. Last year, Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa placed fifth and sixth here, trailing the Mercedes and the Ferrari machines.
Daniil Kvyat - HOT
One of the coolest things to see in the 2016 Singapore GP was Toro Rosso’s Daniil Kvyat back up in the points, fighting for positions. The former Red Bull Racing driver definitely seemed to have his mojo back, and he’s coming back to a good track for him. In both of his starts at the Malaysia GP, Kvyat has crossed the line in the top 10 to score points. He’ll be hoping for a repeat again on Sunday.
Fernando Alonso - HOT
Fernando Alonso has scored points in three out of the last five races, all of which have been seventh-place finishes. Alonso has taken three Formula One race wins at the Malaysia GP in the past. While a win is probably out of the question for the McLaren-Honda driver this weekend, Malaysia often sees its fair share of rain and, when that falls, you never know who’s going to end up at the top. However, he will have to start from the rear of the field.
