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, Kuala Lumpur, Sepang was purpose-built over 18 months from 1998-99 to bring Formula One to the country and create a landmark F1 venue. The likes of the Shanghai International Circuit, Istanbul Park, the Korea International Circuit and the new-for-2011 Jaypee International Race Circuit in New Delhi, India, have all followed the model established by Sepang. Its design and construction, on a former 260-hectare oil palm plantation, was overseen by German architect Hermann Tilke, and over more than a decade, Sepang, which this weekend hosts round two of the 2011 FIA Formula One World Championship, has become noted for high-speed racing coupled with high humidity virtually certain to bring heavy downpours during the race weekend. The humidity levels, coupled with ambient heat likely to exceed 30deg C, present an annual challenge that requires drivers to pay meticulous attention to their physical preparation. The unpredictable weather conditions, meanwhile, constitute an equally demanding on-track challenge. 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. Circuit Data SEpang Length of lap 5.543km Lap record 1:34.223 (Juan-Pablo Montoya, Williams-BMW, 2004) Start line/finish line offset 0.000km Total number of race laps 56 Total race distance 310.408km Pitlane speed limits 60km/h during practice; 100km/h during qualifying and race Changes to the circuit since 2010 No changes have been made to the circuit since last year s Malaysian Grand Prix
4 3 5 6 1 2 Pit Lane 15 7 14 12 9 8 13 10 11 Key Speed Kmh Gear Speed mph Lateral G-force Circuit Safety Car Marshals Racing Line Timing Sector Sector Time Lap Time Grid Finish Medical Vehicles Marshal Lights Run-off Areas Gravel Traps Tyre Walls Fencing Malaysian GP Fast Facts Malaysia s Formula One involvement is increasing. Petronas Petroliam Nasional Berhad the country s government-owned oil company, is title sponsor of the Mercedes GP F1 team, as well as being title sponsor of the grand prix. Meanwhile Malaysian entrepreneur Tony Fernandes is owner of Team Lotus; Group Lotus title sponsor of Lotus Renault GP is funded by parent company Proton, Malaysia s leading automotive company. The Sepang International Circuit s double-straight layout allows the full grand prix loop to be divided easily into two, shorter, north and south circuits. Two races can be run simultaneously, if required. Built on the site of a former oil palm plantation, SIC s construction required more than nine million cubic metres of earth to be removed before foundations could be laid. 5000 palm trees were planted to replace those lost and improve the circuit s environment. The track measures 22m at its widest point. SIC was the first of Hermann Tilke s Formula One circuit designs. Tilke has since built all-new F1 facilities in Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, China, Korea and Turkey as well as modifying F1 circuits in Spain, Japan, Germany, and France. This year s Indian Grand Prix will also be run at a Tilke-designed track. Alex Yoong remains the only Malaysian to have competed in Formula One. He started 14 grands prix for Minardi over the 2001-02 seasons, achieving a best finish of seventh at the 02 Australian GP. Stewart Grand Prix pioneered a novel sponsorship arrangement with the Malaysian government on its Formula One entry in 1997. Stewart cars carried the government s Visit Malaysia message in place of conventional sponsorship logos. Eight drivers have won the 13 Malaysian Grands Prix to date, with Michael Schumacher being the only triple winner (2000, 2001 and 2004). Of the current grid, Fernando Alonso is the only other multiple winner (2005 and 2007). Sebastian Vettel will this weekend be attempting to win his fourth grand prix in succession. The reigning World Champion won the final two races of 2010 and the 2011 seasonopener in Australia. Vettel has won four of the last five grands prix and has led them all. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia s capital city, was founded by Chinese tin miners in 1857 and its name translates as muddy confluence a reference to its location at the meeting point of the Gombak and Klang rivers. April is KL s hottest month, with average highs of 33.1deg C. Average monthly rainfall is 10.205 inches.
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.
Championship Standings (Drivers) Australia Malaysia China Turkey Spain Monaco Canada Europe GB Germany Hungary Belgium Italy Singapore Japan Korea India Abu Dhabi Brazil POINTS 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
Championship Standings (Constructors) Australia Malaysia China Turkey Spain Monaco Canada Europe GB Germany Hungary Belgium Italy Singapore Japan Korea India Abu Dhabi Brazil POINTS 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 3 Team Lotus 0 0 Marussia Virgin Racing 0 0
Formula One Timetable & FIA Media Schedule Thursday Press conference 15.00 Friday Practice session 1 10.00-11.30 Practice session 2 14.00-15.30 Press conference 16.00-17.00 Saturday Practice session 3 13.00-14.00 Qualifying 16.00-17.00 Followed by unilateral and press conference Sunday Drivers Grid Introduction 14.30 Race 16.00-18.00 Followed by unilateral and press conference ADDITIONAL MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES Qualifying All drivers eliminated in Q1 or Q2 are available for media interviews immediately after the end of each session, as are drivers who participated in Q3, but who are not required for the postqualifying press conference. Where? The Pen Interviews area is under the Tent in front of the Race Control Access. Race Any driver retiring before the end of the race is available at each team s garage/hospitality. In addition, during the race every team will make available at least one senior spokesperson for interview by officially accredited TV crews. A list of those nominated will be made available in the media centre. FIA Communications Department press@fiacommunications.com T +33 1 43 12 58 15