What We Know Now: GP2 - Malaysia

IT'S TOO CLOSE FOR CONFIDENCE

A miraculously close qualifying session saw position's chopping and changing almost non-stop. Ferrari decided that after one hot lap Felipe Massa had done enough to get himself through to the second stage of qualifying (Mistake!).

A shock for all, not least Martin Brundle, who's blood pressure I am seriously starting to worry about, as Felipe sat in his garage and watched himself plummet down the classifications and into the knock out zone.

Too late to get round for a fast lap, the Brazilian had his team to thank for a grid slot on the eighth row and a tough weekend.

KIMI IS THE ODD ONE OUT

News that may not surprise too many F1 purists was revealed with little fuss. A simple line dropped during the 53 minute wait on the pit straight.

Whilst explaining Red Bull driver Mark Webber's apparent authority in the paddock, Martin Brundle explained that he is the head of the Grand Prix Driver's Association, "an organisation that includes all F1 drivers... apart from Kimi Raikkonen".

Maybe he's just an individual, maybe there is a signing on fee or maybe no one likes Kimi, who knows? Not me.

RACES START AT THREE FOR A REASON

The late start in Australia was greeted by speculation as to how many more European viewers would be enticed into watching the race live and the same question's were raised again in Malaysia.

The setting sun caused visibility problems in Melbourne that were clear to see from the on board cameras, and raised safety concerns that will likely see the start time revised before next season's opener.

The late start in Sepang led to the race being stopped when it was just starting to get interesting and has hampered those who finished in the points as they only pick up half the spoils. Had the race started at it's normal time instead the race would likely have completely avoided the thunder and lightning that brought a premature end to proceedings.

We may not have seen the same race, but we almost certainly would have seen a full one.

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER: GREAT DRIVER, RUBBISH LEADER

Michael Schumacher was splashed over our TV screens on more than one occasion during another fateful Ferrari weekend, but he had more influence on this race than any since he retired.

The decision to put full wet tyres onto Raikkonen's car, was made by the seven-time world champion. A brave decision but ultimately, completely the wrong one.

The Finn proceeded to lap at nearly forty seconds a lap slower than the rest of the pack, and eventually ended up so far behind that it was pointless to continue. Schumi will probably be staying away for a while, Monza return perhaps?

What We Know Now: GP1 - Australia.

This is the first series to be launched on The Formula, and will be posted on the following Monday after every race weekend. It will provide a look back at the weekend's action and discuss what we, the teams and the drivers have learnt.

BEWARE THE UNKNOWN

Brawn GP notched a stunning one-two finish in their debut race as British driver Jenson Button calmly took his car from lights to flag without losing his lead.

The new regulations on aerodynamics and speed also seemed to have a good influence with regular overtaking and close battles throughout the field. But the longer front wings seemed to cause a few incidents and until drivers get used to that space being filled we could see a couple more flat tyres.

NEVER RULE OUT A CHAMPION

Mclaren's Lewis Hamilton started eighteenth on the grid and despite having a car as competitive as a horse and cart he managed to grab a third place on the podium. A result that could be crucial come the end of the season by which time he will be hoping to be somewhat more competitive.

Meanwhile Fernando Alonso finished in fifth place after starting tenth in Melbourne. A tailored drive saw Alonso bring his car home in the points in an unusually understated fashion whilst teammate Nelson Piquet Jr. started his season with a retirement.

The only other champion in the field, Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen, retired after 55 laps after a spin, in which he had miraculously avoided the wall, left his car unable to continue.

THE KIDS CAN STILL GET CARRIED AWAY

Beautifully illustrated by Red Bull's Sebastien Vettel and Robert Kubica of BMW. The pair were pretty much guaranteed a share of second of third place and if they had worked together could probably have caught Button before the end of the race.

However a slip of in Vettel's concentration saw him lose speed through turn one and Kubica's good run out of the second turn saw a wheel to wheel battle in the tight right-hander of turn three. Kubica didn't give Vettel room on the inside and the German refused to back off causing a collision. Whilst both drivers survived the initial contact they would only make it around one more corner as they independently crashed into almost the exact same spot.

YOU CAN BEND THE RULES, BUT YOU CAN'T BREAK THEM

As the FIA has so helpfully cleared up it's OK to race with a disputed rear diffuser but if you have a rear wing that isn't up to spec you must start from the pit lane. There's a line between the two somewhere but i can't quite see it..