Performance behind the qualifying times

A new feature for the 2009 season is the publication of the car weights following qualification.

As a rule of thumb, 10kg of fuel lasts four to five laps while 10kg of fuel slows the car by roughly 0.3s a lap – depending on the circuit type and length.

The Formula One car minimum weight is 605kg including driver, but of course there is the option of KERS which weighs in at roughly 30 kg and race fuel.

Jenson Button qualified on pole position for the Malaysian Grand Prix ahead of Jarno Trulli and Sebastian Vettel, but looking at the post qualifying weights, it is clear that the Brawn Mercedes racer is carrying more fuel ahead of the 56-lap event.

In theory this should allow Button to run a longer first stint than Vettel, who was running lightest today, as the Red Bull driver set the third fastest time.

With a light fuel load and a ten position penalty, Vettel clearly is going for an aggressive race strategy while Jarno Trulli should be pitting two to three laps before pole-sitter Button.

Those who qualified outside of the top ten are however able to change their fuel strategies, but for the top ten runners, the programme for race day is already set.

Of course, should the expected rains arrive at the Sepang circuit, strategy is pretty much meaningless!

Malaysia - Qualifying Weight (kg)
1 . S. Vettel - Red Bull Renault RB5 - 647.0
2 . A. Sutil - Force India Mercedes VJM02 - 655.5 *
3 . N.Rosberg - Williams Toyota FW31 - 656.0
4 . M. Webber - Red Bull Renault RB5 - 656.0
5 . J. Trulli - Toyota TF109 - 656.5
6 . T. Glock - Toyota TF109 - 656.5
7 . J. Button - Brawn Mercedes BGP 001 - 660.0
8 . K. Raikkonen - Ferrari F60 - 662.5
9 . R. Kubica - BMW Sauber F1.09 - 663.0
10 . R. Barrichello - Brawn Mercedes BGP 001 - 664.5
11 . S. Bourdais - Toro Rosso Ferrari STR4 - 670.5 *
12 . F. Alonso - Renault R29 - 680.5
13 . G. Fisichella - Force India Mercedes VJM02 - 680.5 *
14 . N. Piquet - Renault R29 - 681.9 *
15 . K. Nakajima - Williams Toyota FW31 - 683.4 *
16 . S. Buemi - Toro Rosso Ferrari STR4 - 686.5 *
17 . L. Hamilton - McLaren Mercedes MP4-24 - 688.0 *
18 . H. Kovalainen - McLaren Mercedes MP4-24 - 688.9 *
19 . F. Massa - Ferrari F60 - 689.5. *

* Declared weight (outside of top ten)