Malaysian Grand Prix
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| Sepang International Circuit | |
 |
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| Race information | |
| Laps | 56 |
|---|---|
| Circuit length | 5.543 km (3.444 mi) |
| Race length | 310.408 km (192.887 mi) |
| First held | 1962 |
| Last held | 2008 |
| Most wins (drivers) |  John MacDonald (4) |
| Most wins (constructors) |  Ferrari (5) |
| Last race (2008): | |
| Pole position |  Felipe MassaFerrari 1:35.748 |
| Podium | 1.  Kimi RäikkönenFerrari 1h 31m 18.555s (203.971 km/h) 2.  Robert KubicaBMW Sauber +19.570s 3. Heikki KovalainenMcLaren-Mercedes +38.450s |
| Fastest lap |  Nick HeidfeldBMW Sauber 1:35.366 |
First included in the Formula One World Championship in 1999, the current Malaysian Grand Prix is held at the hyper-modern Sepang International Circuit at Sepang, Malaysia. FIA-sanctioned racing in Malaysia has existed since the 1960s.
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] Preceding racing tournaments
The 1962-1965 seasons of the original Formula 2 Grand Prix held on the Thompson Road circuit in Singapore is regarded as an earlier precedence of the Malaysian Grand Prix, when Singapore was originally part of the Malaysian federation from 1963 to 1965. After Singapore's expulsions from the federation in 1965, the Grand Prix continued on until 1973. After witnessing the success of Malaysian Grand Prix, a new Singaporean Grand Prix to be held at the Singapore Street Circuit will occur in the 2008 season of the Formula One World Championship.
Between Singapore's explusion and the opening of Sepang Circuit, Malaysia hosted a range of other racing tournaments at Shah Alam's own circuit between 1968 to 1995, including the Tasman Series (1968-1972), Formula Pacific (1973-1974, 1978-1982), Formula Atlantic (1975), Formula Two (1977) and Formula Holden (1995).
[edit] Formula One at the Sepang International Circuit
The nine World Championship Malaysian Grands Prix have seen a good deal of action on and off the track, whilst the weather — furnace heat one minute, tropical storm the next — adds extra spice. The most notable Grand Prix at Sepang to date was the inaugural event in 1999. It saw Michael Schumacher return to the sport after his absence due to a broken leg sustained at that year's British Grand Prix, dominating the race and handing the victory to title-hopeful team-mate Eddie Irvine, only for both Ferraris to be disqualified due to a technical irregularity, handing the title — until the steward's decision was over-ruled — to Mika Häkkinen.
The 2001 event was hit by a heavy rainstorm in the middle of the race which made conditions very difficult. Conditions were so bad that the two Ferraris of Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello spun off almost simultaneously at the same corner. Remarkably, they both recovered to score a Ferrari "1-2", because for a long time they were nearly 5 seconds fastar than anyone else on the field. Elsewhere, the race was even lead by Jos Verstappen, surprisingly. However, as the track begun to dry, he fell back to 7th, but his efforts to keep positions were memorable.
Since 2001, the Malaysian Grand Prix has moved from the end of the schedule to the beginning, which has seen some topsy-turvy results as teams and drivers get to grips with their new equipment, with many races heavily influenced by the winners and losers of the scramble for position into the tight double hairpin bend at the first corner.
On April 8, 2007, shortly before the 2007 Malaysian Grand Prix, Formula One president Bernie Ecclestone was quoted as stating that the circuit was getting "shabby" and "a bit tired" from the lack of care, describing it as "an old house that needs a bit of redecorating". He noted that the circuit itself is not the issue, but rather the surrounding environ; rubbish is said to be littered all over the place, potentially damaging the circuit's good reputation when it was opened in 1999.[1]
The day before, Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had met Ecclestone to discuss an extension of the Formula One contract beyond 2010.[1] While the government had been given an additional extension to host the Grand Prix until 2015, the government was still mulling the offer, as of April 23, 2007.[2] The circuit was given a renewed contract in 2006 to organise the Malaysian Grand Prix for another five years.[1].
[edit] Night race
On February 13 the Sepang International circuit announced its aim was to become Formula One's second night race from 2009 after discussions about buying a floodlighting system. Its plans seem to be moving forward when Datuk Mokhzani Mahathir, the chairman of the circuit, revealed that they were in the process of securing a lighting system. He was quoted as saying, "They might be custom made for the circuit." [3]
[edit] Sponsors
Currently only Petronas had ever sponsored for the Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix, although there are multiple sponsors throughout the years for the Malaysian FIM Motorcycle Grand Prix
[edit] Winners of the Malaysian Grand Prix
[edit] Multiple winners (drivers)
| Wins | Driver | Years |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | John MacDonald |
1970, 1971, 1973, 1975 |
| 3 | Michael Schumacher |
2000, 2001, 2004 |
| 2 | Albert Poon |
1963, 1965 |
 Andrew Miedecke |
1981, 1982 | |
 Fernando Alonso |
2005, 2007 | |
| Kimi Räikkönen |
2003, 2008 |
[edit] Multiple winners (constructors)
Embolded teams are still competing in the Formula One championship
| Wins | Constructor | Years Won |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Ferrari |
1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2008 |
| 4 |  March |
1972, 1977, 1978, 1979 |
| Ralt |
1975, 1980, 1981, 1982 | |
| 3 | Brabham |
1970, 1971, 1973 |
| 2 | Lotus |
1963, 1965 |
| Elfin |
1968, 1969 | |
| McLaren |
2003, 2007 | |
 Renault |
2005, 2006 |
[edit] Year by year
A pink background indicates an event which was not part of the Formula One World Championship.
[edit] Support races
Formula BMW Asia and Porsche Carrera Cup Asia have supported the Malaysian Grand Prix since 2003. BMW Motorsport director Mario Theissen presented the trophies to the race winners in 2003.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c F1 boss says Sepang getting 'shabby'. Agence France-Presse/espnstar.com. Retrieved on 16 April 2007.
- ^ Malaysia mulling contract to extend Formula One race until 2015. Associated Press/International Herald Tribune. Retrieved on May 3, 2007.
- ^ "Malaysia closing on '09 race". itv.com/f1. Retrieved on 2008-02-13.
[edit] External links
- Sepang International Circuit official website
- Motorsport The Asian Way by Roderick Eime
- Malaysian Grand Prix Statistics
- Malaysia statistics
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