MALASIAN GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING - LEWIS-MERCEDES NAILED IT!!

A big Congratulation to Lewis and Team Mercedes, for having nailed the Qualifying Session of the Malaysian Grand Prix, to place themselves on Pole.

Congratulations, also, to Kimi and Team Ferrari, for having gone some way to redeem themselves and taking P 2 in Q.3, after the unfortunate even of Sebastian Vettel, due to car problems, not having progressed from Q.1. 

And, last, but, as the stereotype goes, to the indubitable Max Verstappen, for placing his car on P.3 position.

Yes, judging from the performance of Mercedes during the Practising Sessions, there were serious concerns about up far up the order both Lewis and Valtteri would have progressed by the Qualifying Sessions today. 

Few of us watching, would probably have been surprised if they had not made it to the Podium. The fact that, while Lewis, somewhat surprisingly, has made it to Pole position,Valtteri, his team mate, could only make it to P.5. 

With the new upgrade package both drivers have been testing, until, it appears, Hamilton reverted to the old package, is a testimony to just how trying a weekend this has been, so far, for Mercedes and their drivers. 

But, of course, the key event of the weekend is yet to take place. That of the Malaysian Grand Prix 2017, tomorrow.

How will it end? At the end of the race, will Lewis Hamilton be standing on the Podium, waving the Winner's Trophy? Will he stake another claim to the title of being Master of the Formula One Circuits?

Well, it could end well for Hamilton, with him achieving another Grand Prix win at the Sepang Grand Prix Circuit. 

However, for that to transpire or materialise, he and Team Mercedes will have to ... Yes, you know where I am going with this, do you not?

A number of things will need to converge for Lewis Hamilton and Team Mercedes to win tomorrow's Grand Prix. 

Now that Hamilton have completed stage one of the process, by applying one of the key 'Mercedes-Hamilton Principles of Success in Grand Prix Qualifying.' 

Namely that of, 'Make it your goal to nail it, Pole, on the first Q.3 attempt, and aim to exceed it on all subsequent attempts.' 

The rationale being that you have no guarantees about what you will achieve on subsequent attempts, if you have any.

Hamilton and Mercedes successfully applied this principle in Q.3, which was, it appeared, what prevented Kimi Raikkonen from snatching Pole position.  When Hamilton, during his final lap, failed to exceed the time which he set on his first, and which Kimi just missed out on.

And now, with tomorrow's race providing the opportunity to and threat of being overtaken during the long distance to the first turn.  

It is vital that Hamilton and Team Mercedes have the kind of start to the race, which is crucial for any driver who wants to get to the first corner quickest. 

Of course, the corollary to that, is that, not only does Hamilton need to be the quickest to the first turn.  

But he also needs to get there safely, and negotiate it with great skill, so that he can then launch his car into the body of the race. 

Into the Zone of tranquillity, with his and Team Mercedes' skills, strategies and experience converging with the positive energies of the Circuit, to guide and quicken his traversing of time and space, to be the first to greet the Checkered Flag. 

All of which is dependent on the gods not intervening in this race, or, if they are such avid Formula 1 racing fans, providing their intervention not be at the cost of any of the racers. 

Which might be too much to ask of the gods, who do tend to indulge in sadism, in their interaction with humans.

Still, Lewis and Mercedes can, and, were all things to remain on their current trajectory, win the 2017 Malaysian Grand Prix. So, go for it, guys! And you too, Bottas!