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6 things that make the Sepang Grand Prix unique
More than just the love of speed, we give an ode to the things that made Malaysian F1 so amazing.
This year marks the 19th and final year a Formula One Grand Prix (since its inaugural Grand Prix in 1999) will be held in Malaysia’s prestigious Sepang International Circuit. Located 45km south of Kuala Lumpur, the circuit designed by Hermann Tilke has seen many exciting races. One of them being the 2001 Malaysian Grand Prix that saw Michael Schumacher dance through the flooded circuit with grace and winning it despite sliding off the track in the third lap.
We've rounded up a few of the things we will all miss from the Sepang Grand Prix.
1. THE TECHNICALITY
The Malaysian Grand Prix is known to be one of the more technical races in the Formula One calendar. Not only do teams have to think of the best tyre strategy for their drivers; whether it’s starting on soft compound tyres to have good pace early on in the race, or sitting it out and leaning on their hard compound tyres (whilst praying for it to rain) so that they can make a quick dip into the pits to be the first one’s on intermediates – in order to get the traction advantage. The Malaysian Grand Prix has always been full of technicality and it has always been a real joy for Formula One fans to witness the race, be it in person or on the telly.
Sebastian Vettel races in the Sepang Grand Prix
© Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool
2. THE UNPREDICTABILITY
Formula One races are generally unpredictable but the Malaysian Grand Prix takes unpredictability to a whole new level. With Malaysia’s extremely erratic weather which could either be extremely hot and humid for one half of the race, then having a torrential thunderstorm for the other half. Drivers, team managers, pit crews, marshals and race fans alike always have to be on their tippy-toes in order to be ready for anything Mother Nature throws their way.
Sepang's 2 main straights
© Iqbal Krisman
3. THE TWO MAIN STRAIGHTS
Only in Sepang will you find two full speed straights separated by a single hairpin corner. These two straights are named the Penang straight and the Kuala Lumpur straight – which are back-to-back DRS (Drag Reduction System) zones allowing drivers to max out their machines, giving them endless overtaking opportunities. From catching the draft of another car to aggressive dive-bombs into the hairpin leading to the Kuala Lumpur straight, Sepang’s straights has seen everything from crashes to picture perfect finishes.
Speed, speed, speed!
© Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool
4. EXCITING RACE WEEKENDS
Formula One race weekends can sometimes be pretty straightforward. Do some fast laps during the practise sessions, set your best lap times during the qualifying sessions to get a good track position and give it all you got on race day – and hopefully you may have scored some points or maybe end up on the podium! But that is not the case when it comes to the Malaysian Grand Prix. Things can already get extremely exciting from the early stages of the race weekend. Q1 can be a completely dry session while Q2 can start off wet but dries off as it comes towards Q3, so teams that put a lap time early in the session in the wet may be at a disadvantage compared to the teams that wait it out for the perfect time to set their flying lap. Because of this, it is not an odd sight to to see traditional backmarkers make it into the final qualifying session of Q3 at the Sepang Grand Prix and placing themselves in the top 10 of the field.
Race fans in full support
© Marcel van Hoorn / Red Bull Content Pool
5. THE PASSION OF THE FANS
Formula One fans that congregate to Sepang are one of the most passionate fans out there – as they have to brave the humidity and the unexpected downpours of the Malaysian climate for the love of the race. Besides that, the Sepang Circuit is built in a swamp land, so those hoping to get a good seat on the grass at the high speed corner of turn 5 that had seen many daring overtakes will probably be covered in mud and grass by the end of the race. But a little mud and dirt will not stop these fans from seeing their favourite teams battle it out on the track.
A common occurrence in everyday Malaysia
© Azreey / Wikimedia Commons
6. THE POST RACE TRAFFIC
Malaysia is very well known for its traffic jams and Sepang is no different. People from all walks of life supporting different teams for different reasons will have to go through this horrendous traffic jam in absolute unity. You may find a mixture of petrolheads, supercar enthusiasts and groups of families who spent their weekend at the Grand Prix. The traffic is probably a little more bearable for the fans who supported the winning team though.
The Malaysian Formula One will no longer be part of the future Formula One calendar, but one thing that will never die out will be Malaysia’s undying passion for F1. The past 19 years has seen some magical moments which no Malaysian Formula One fan will ever forget. Terima Kasih, Sepang.
Catch the excitement of the 2017 Sepang Grand Prix from the 29th September to 1st October. Follow us on Facebook for updates!
