Formula 1 Circuit Details

Sepang Circuit
Kuala Lumpur, MYS

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Circuit Info

Circuit Length: 5,54 km
Turns: 15
Laps: 56
Race Distance: 310,41 km

First Race: 16 October 1999
Last Race: 2 April 2010

Lap Record: Juan Pablo Montoya
20 March 2005
94.223 s
Coordinates: 2°45'38"N 101°44'14"E
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Website: www.malaysiangp.com.my

Circuit's Last Podiums

Year	Winner	Second	Third	Pole	Fastest Lap
2013	S. Vettel Red Bull Racing	M. Webber Red Bull Racing	L. Hamilton Mercedes	S. Vettel Red Bull Racing	S. Perez McLaren
2012	F. Alonso Ferrari	S. Perez Sauber	L. Hamilton McLaren	L. Hamilton McLaren	K. Räikkönen Lotus F1 Team
2011	S. Vettel Red Bull Racing	J. Button McLaren	N. Heidfeld Renault	S. Vettel Red Bull Racing	M. Webber Red Bull Racing
2010	S. Vettel Red Bull Racing	M. Webber Red Bull Racing	N. Rosberg Mercedes GP	M. Webber Red Bull Racing	M. Webber Red Bull Racing
2009	J. Button Brawn-Mercedes	N. Heidfeld BMW Sauber	T. Glock Toyota	J. Button Brawn-Mercedes	J. Button Brawn-Mercedes
2008	K. Räikkönen Ferrari	R. Kubica BMW Sauber	H. Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes	F. Massa Ferrari	N. Heidfeld BMW Sauber
2007	F. Alonso McLaren-Mercedes	L. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes	K. Räikkönen Ferrari	F. Massa Ferrari	L. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes
2006	G. Fisichella Renault	F. Alonso Renault	J. Button Honda	G. Fisichella Renault	F. Alonso Renault
2005	F. Alonso Renault	J. Trulli Toyota	N. Heidfeld Williams-BMW	F. Alonso Renault	K. Räikkönen McLaren-Mercedes
2004	M. Schumacher Ferrari	J. Montoya Williams-BMW	J. Button BAR-Honda	M. Schumacher Ferrari	J. Montoya Williams-BMW
2003	K. Räikkönen McLaren-Mercedes	R. Barrichello Ferrari	F. Alonso Renault	F. Alonso Renault	M. Schumacher Ferrari
2002	R. Schumacher Williams-BMW	J. Montoya Williams-BMW	M. Schumacher Ferrari	M. Schumacher Ferrari	J. Montoya Williams-BMW
2001	M. Schumacher Ferrari	R. Barrichello Ferrari	D. Coulthard McLaren-Mercedes	M. Schumacher Ferrari	R. Schumacher Williams-BMW
2000	M. Schumacher Ferrari	D. Coulthard McLaren-Mercedes	R. Barrichello Ferrari	M. Schumacher Ferrari	M. Hakkinen McLaren-Mercedes
1999	E. Irvine Ferrari	M. Schumacher Ferrari	M. Hakkinen McLaren-Mercedes	M. Schumacher Ferrari	M. Schumacher Ferrari

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Circuit Description

As part of the economic expansion plans outlined by the government of Malaysia and Prime Minister, Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, the idea of building a superb racetrack with the intention to host a Grand Prix was the highlight.
Malaysia had years of sustained growth and support of the giant oil company, PETRONAS, whose sponsorship of the Sauber was not mere coincidence; basically, everything was set to put the plan into place.
The F1 circuit design specialist, Hermann Tilke, was the assigned mastermind for the project that was going to be built very close to the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur. The plan on paper and once finished looked visually fantastic and interesting from the racing point of view. It highlights the formidable main grand stands, where visitors are protected by a roof in leaf-shape design that can be modified in response to light.
The 5.542Km Sepang circuit is one of the most difficult and technical of the calendar. A combination of fast and slow corners, plus the famous "Hairpins", which are accompanied by two parallel straights just under a kilometer long, made the track a real challenge.
Drivers definitely have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in its outstanding layout. For example, from curve 9 to 14 just before the final straight, the cars average 200kph in a series of quick turns and with different slopes. In addition, the track is wide enough, which contributes to make overtaking very possible and in many cases, frequent.
The circuit was inaugurated in 1999, in the penultimate Grand Prix of the season. Michael Schumacher, was returning from his injury, and openly said that his goal was to help his teammate Eddie Irvine in the fight for the championship. Without much surprise, the German led the race twice, and in both times he left the way clear for Irvine who eventually crossed the finish line first, which in turn postponed the definition of the title until the last GP.
Unfortunately, the attention and interest from locals has been waning, and a slight air of neglect, especially in the surroundings areas, created a somewhat negative image to the Grand Prix.
However, the government re-invested, and promised to make renovations and adjustments, which seemed to be achieved, since the contract was extended through 2015.

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F1 Standings

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1	Sebastian Vettel	89
2	Kimi Räikkönen	85
3	Fernando Alonso	72

1	Red Bull Racing	131
2	Ferrari	117
3	Lotus F1 Team	111

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