- CIRCUIT:
Sepang International
Circuit
- EVENT:
Grand Prix of Malaysia
- LENGTH: 5.542 km
- RACE
DISTANCE: 56 laps
(310.352 km)
- POLE
POSITION: 1:39.688
(M. Schumacher)
-
-
- The newest circuit on the Formula 1
calendar, Sepang has raised the standard for Grand Prix venues
and was an immediate success when Formula One made its first
visit to southeast Asia. The inaugural Malaysian Grand Prix was
the penultimate race of the thrilling 1999 season, and the second
brought the curtain down on the 2000 campaign. Located close
to Kuala Lumpur, the circuit has a longer-than-average lap length,
and provides a challenging mixture for both drivers and engineers.
The ultra-modern facilities, which include an impressive 30,000-seater
grandstand, have established new levels of excellence for spectators.
The circuit features a series of interesting sections and 15
assorted corners, all with generous runoff areas. There are overtaking
opportunities on the straights, the longest of which is 927 m,
and in the twisting complex at the start of the lap. Variety
is provided with a combination of fast, sweeping curves at the
back of the circuit. The track is very wide and, although some
corners are slow, there are some with wide radii on both the
entry and the exit that can be driven faster than seems apparent.
The Malay peninsula is close to the equator, so the weather can
be very hot and humid here.
|
