Race Preview 2011 MALAYSIAN GRAND PRIX 7-10 APRIL 2011
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Race Preview 2011 MALAYSIAN GRAND PRIX 7-10 APRIL 2011 A fixture on the Formula One calendar since 1999, The Malaysian Grand Prix, held at the Sepang circuit, heralded the start of a new era in the construction of Formula One ‘super facilities’, built from scratch, with a clean sheet of paper for circuit design and often with dramatic architecture for circuit buildings. Located 85 kilometres from Malaysia’s capital, CIRCUIT DATA Kuala Lumpur, Sepang was purpose-built over 18 SEpang months from 1998-99 to bring Formula One to the Length of lap country and create a ‘landmark’ F1 venue. The likes 5.543km of the Shanghai International Circuit, Istanbul Park, Lap record the Korea International Circuit and the new-for-2011 1:34.223 Jaypee International Race Circuit in New Delhi, (Juan-Pablo Montoya, Williams-BMW, 2004) India, have all followed the model established by Start line/finish line offset Sepang. Its design and construction, on a former 0.000km 260-hectare oil palm plantation, was overseen by Total number of race laps German architect Hermann Tilke, and over more 56 than a decade, Sepang, which this weekend hosts Total race distance round two of the 2011 FIA Formula One World 310.408km Championship, has become noted for high-speed Pitlane speed limits racing coupled with high humidity virtually certain 60km/h during practice; 100km/h during qualifying to bring heavy downpours during the race weekend. and race The humidity levels, coupled with ambient heat likely to exceed 30deg C, present an annual CHANGES TO THE challenge that requires drivers to pay meticulous CIRCUIT SINCE 2010 attention to their physical preparation. The No changes have been made unpredictable weather conditions, meanwhile, to the circuit since last year’s constitute an equally demanding on-track challenge. Malaysian Grand Prix Sepang’s high-speed nature is expected to allow teams to develop a clearer understanding of the new ‘Drag Reduction System’ moveable rear wings, introduced with the intention of promoting overtaking opportunities. DRS, coupled with the return of KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems) for teams opting to use them, should bring further unpredictability to the race weekend. 4 3 4 3 5 6 2 1 Pit5 Lane 6 2 1 Pit Lane 15 7 14 15 9 7 8 14 12 9 8 12 10 13 10 13 11 11 Key Key Speed Kmh Speed mph Lateral Speed Kmh Speed mph Lateral Circuit Safety Car Marshals G-forceG-force Circuit Safety Car Marshals Racing LineRacing Line Gear Gear Grid Medical Vehicles Run-off Areas Tyre Walls Sector Time Lap Time Grid Medical Vehicles Run-off Areas Tyre Walls SectorTiming Time Lap Time Timing Sector Finish Marshal Lights Gravel Traps Fencing Sector Finish Marshal Lights Gravel Traps Fencing Malaysian GP Fast Facts ► Malaysia’s Formula One involvement those lost and improve the circuit’s ►Eight drivers have won the 13 is increasing. Petronas – Petroliam environment. The track measures Malaysian Grands Prix to date, Nasional Berhad – the country’s 22m at its widest point. with Michael Schumacher being government-owned oil company, ► SIC was the first of Hermann Tilke’s the only triple winner (2000, 2001 is title sponsor of the Mercedes GP Formula One circuit designs. Tilke and 2004). Of the current grid, F1 team, as well as being title has since built all-new F1 facilities in Fernando Alonso is the only other sponsor of the grand prix. Meanwhile Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, China, Korea multiple winner (2005 and 2007). Malaysian entrepreneur Tony and Turkey as well as modifying F1 Fernandes is owner of Team Lotus; circuits in Spain, Japan, Germany, ► Sebastian Vettel will this weekend Group Lotus – title sponsor of Lotus and France. This year’s Indian be attempting to win his fourth grand Renault GP – is funded by parent Grand Prix will also be run at prix in succession. The reigning company Proton, Malaysia’s leading a Tilke-designed track. World Champion won the final two races of 2010 and the 2011 season- automotive company. Alex Yoong remains the only ► opener in Australia. Vettel has won The Sepang International Circuit’s Malaysian to have competed in ► four of the last five grands prix and ‘double-straight’ layout allows the Formula One. He started 14 grands has led them all. full grand prix loop to be divided prix for Minardi over the 2001-02 easily into two, shorter, ‘north’ and seasons, achieving a best finish of ► Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital city, ‘south’ circuits. Two races can be run seventh at the ’02 Australian GP. was founded by Chinese tin miners in 1857 and its name translates as simultaneously, if required. ► Stewart Grand Prix pioneered a “muddy confluence” – a reference ► Built on the site of a former oil novel sponsorship arrangement with to its location at the meeting point palm plantation, SIC’s construction the Malaysian government on its of the Gombak and Klang rivers. required more than nine million cubic Formula One entry in 1997. Stewart metres of earth to be removed before cars carried the government’s ‘Visit ► April is KL’s hottest month, with foundations could be laid. 5000 Malaysia’ message in place of average highs of 33.1deg C. Average palm trees were planted to replace conventional sponsorship logos. monthly rainfall is 10.205 inches. Malaysian GP Race Stewards Biographies EMANUELE PIRRO FORMER F1 DRIVER AND FIVE-TIME LE MANS WINNER During a motor sport career that has spanned almost 40 years, Emanuele Pirro has achieved a huge amount of success, most notably in sportcar racing, with five Le Mans wins, victory at the Daytona 24 Hours and two wins at the Sebring 12 Hours. In addition he has won the German and Italian Touring Car championships (the latter twice) and has twice been American Le Mans Series Champion. Pirro, 49, enjoyed a three-season Formula One career from 1989 to 1991, firstly with Benetton and then for Scuderia Italia. He subsequently spent four years as a test driver for McLaren. Pirro’s debut as an FIA Steward came at the 2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and he will perform a similar role this weekend in Malaysia and at next weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix. GARRY CONNELLY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER, FIA INSTITUTE; DIRECTOR, AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF MOTOR SPORT SAFETY; F1 AND WTCC STEWARD; FIA WORLD MOTOR SPORT COUNCIL MEMBER Garry Connelly has been involved in motor sport for 40 years. A long-time rally competitor, Connelly has been an event Clerk of Course for rallying, off-road and race meetings, and was Chairman of the Organising Committee of the WRC Rally Australia for 16 years. He has also been an FIA Steward and FIA Observer since 1989, covering the FIA’s World Rally Championship, World Touring Car Championship and Formula One Championship. He is a director of the Australian Institute of Motor Sport Safety and a member of the FIA World Motor Sport Council. Outside motorsport he holds the directorship of a number of Australian companies. VINCENZO SPANO PRESIDENT OF THE SPORTING COMMISSION OF THE AUTOMOBILE AND TOURING CLUB OF VENEZUELA Italian-born Vincenzo Spano grew up in Venezuela, where he went on to study at the Universidad Central de Venezuela, becoming an attorney-at-law. Spano has wide-ranging experience in motor sport, from national to international level. He has worked for the Touring y Automóvil Club de Venezuela since 1991, and served as President of the Sporting Commission since 2001. He was president for two terms and now sits as member of the Board of the Nacam-FIA zone. Since 1995 Spano has been a licenced steward and obtained his FIA steward superlicence in 2003. Spano has been involved with the FIA and FIA Institute in various roles since 2001: a member of the World Motor Sport Council, the FIA Committee, and the executive committee of the FIA Institute. Malaysian GP Championship Standings (Drivers) S T IN B hina anada ungary elgium razil O urkey Australia Malaysia C T Spain Monaco C Europe G Germany H B Italy Singapore Japan Korea India Abu Dhabi B P Sebastian Vettel 25 –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– 25 Lewis Hamilton 18 –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– 18 Vitaly Petrov 15 –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– 15 Fernando Alonso 12 –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– 12 Mark Webber 10 –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– 10 Jenson Button 8 –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– 8 Felipe Massa 6 –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– 6 Sebastien Buemi 4 –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– 4 Adrian Sutil 2 –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– 2 Paul Di Resta 1 –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– 1 Jaime Alguersuari 0 –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– 0 Nick Heidfeld 0 –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– 0 Jarno Trulli 0 –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– 0 Jerome D’Ambrosio 0 –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– 0 Malaysian GP Championship Standings (Constructors) S T IN B hina anada ungary elgium razil O urkey Australia Malaysia C T Spain Monaco C Europe G Germany H B Italy Singapore Japan Korea India Abu Dhabi B P Red Bull Racing 35 –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– 35 Vodafone McLaren Mercedes 26 –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– 26 Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro 18 –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– 18 Lotus Renault GP 15 –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– 15 Scuderia Toro Rosso 4 –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– –– 4 Force India F1 Team 3 –– –– ––