Ferrari, McLaren planning to catch up with rookie team

Agence France Presse

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Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello handed the rookie team a 1-2 finish in Melbourne last weekend in the team's maiden race, upsetting the established order.

New rules that have allowed the return of slick tires and an increase in the aerodynamic downforce to help cars grip the track worked in Brawn's favor, and have set the stage for an intriguing race around the 56-lap Sepang circuit.

Ross Brawn, who bought the team from Honda Racing in March, is confident their run will continue.

"Obviously we've got a very good car and the team having now won a race it's going to give them the confidence to go forward," he said.

"Who knows. Maybe there's another fairy tale."

But Britain's Button is not getting carried away, warning that other teams are hot on their heels with encouraging competitive signs from Toyota, Williams, Red Bull and BMW Sauber.

"I have a feeling that other teams are going to be on us very quickly and when we get to a different type of circuit, maybe in Malaysia, some other cars which weren't so competitive in Melbourne will be," Button said.

He expects those that are using the new Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems, which recover some of the energy generated by the car's braking process for extra power, will do better at Sepang.

"We haven't got KERS because we can't afford to develop it at the moment, but from what I've heard, people who are running KERS think that there is an advantage of two to three-tenths of a second on the circuits that have long straights," he said.

The intense heat and humidity will also be an important factor, with each driver expected to lose at least three kilograms (six pounds, 10 ounces) in body weight during an exhausting race.

Thunderstorms have also been forecast, adding another element.

Designed by Hermann Tilke, Sepang is one of the most technical circuits in Formula One. Its combination of long high-speed straights, and tight, twisting turns make the track complicated, but also perfect for overtaking.

Ferrari’s Felipe Massa knows they need to get their act together quickly.

"In my opinion, apart from the Brawns, we are competitive, but we have to work perfectly to get to the front," said the Brazilian. "In Melbourne, it was very difficult to get the tires to work. The solution for Malaysia? Work and work hard."