First included in the Formula One World Championship in 1999, the Malaysian Grand Prix is held at the hyper-modern Sepang International Circuit at Sepang, Malaysia, near Kuala Lumpur. The 2004 event was held on March 21.
The six 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 teammate 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'.
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.
Winners of the Malaysian Grands Prix
External links
- Sepang International Circuit official website http://www.malaysiangp.com.my/
- Motorsport The Asian Way http://members.ozemail.com.au/%7Erodeime/Asian_Way/ by Roderick Eime
Last updated: 02-10-2005 19:57:40
Last updated: 05-03-2005 17:50:55
