2017 Formula 1 Malaysian Grand Prix Preview: One last Ride in Malaysia

steemsports (80)in #steemsports • 7 years ago

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Grand Prix Information

Number of Laps: 56
Circuit Length: 5.543 km
Race distance: 310.408 km
First GP: 1996
Lap Record: Juan Pablo Montova (2004)

Dates

Practice 1: Friday, 29th September; 11:00 – 12:30
Practice 2: Friday, 29th September; 15:00 – 16:30
Practice 3: Saturday, 30th September; 14:00 – 15:00
Qualifying: Saturday, 30th September; 17:00 – 18:00
Main Race: Sunday, 1st October; 15:00 – 17:00

Formula 1 is going to Malaysia for the last time this weekend. The country’s government, which has funded the Grand Prix since 1999, has decided that the race no longer justifies the investment.

In the mid-1990s, Malaysia was undergoing a huge change. And the then Prime Minister was determined that by 2020, the country would be a fully industrialized nation. With that in mind, the nation’s number one oil company, Petronas, began investing in Formula 1.

The most extravagant part of the plan was the building of a Grand Prix track and not just any track. He wanted to create a track that would make the world envy in terms of its facilities and technology. What he got was the Sepang International Circuit and it did not disappoint. Sepang is one of the most technical circuits in Formula 1, and the drivers love it.

But the race never attracted any fans, and no obvious motorsport infrastructure has grown. So it is no surprise that it is dropping off the F1 calendar. All we can do now is enjoy one last GP weekend in Malaysia.

Over the Years

No man has won more Malaysian Grand Prix than Sebastian Vettel. And he is in no danger of losing that record, except if Fernando Alonso scores the unlikeliest victory of his career. Vettel is a four-time winner at Sepang, one above Alonso’s three. Current championship leader, Lewis Hamilton has only won at Sepang once, with Daniel Ricciardo and Kimi Raikkonen also having won before.

Despite their domination of Formula 1 racing in recent years, Mercedes have only ever triumphed once in Malaysia – and that was back in 2014 when Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg cruised to a one-two finish. It is their arch-rivals Ferrari who has consistently found the winning touch at Sepang, right from the inaugural race. But Red Bull cannot be forgotten. They have four Kuala Lumpur wins, and Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen finished first and second last season.

If Lewis Hamilton tops qualifying in Sepang on Saturday, he will share top spot with the legendary Michael Schumacher. He has four pole positions already in Malaysia, and it looks like only Vettel can stop him from achieving one more. Both Hamilton and Vettel are tied for the number of podium finishes, and recent form suggests that both will probably grab another podium finish, bringing their tallies to a joint six.

Standings: Ferrari determined to fight back

Sebastian Vettel headed into Singapore three points adrift of Lewis Hamilton in the driver’s standings, but one unfortunate and highly start-line incident later and he arrives in Malaysia with a 28-point deficit. Vettel and his Ferrari team are adamant that the battle is far from over with six races to go.

Hamilton has had a terrific second half to the season, winning every race and he heads into Malaysia on the back of three consecutive wins. He has a 28-point lead on the title, and he can be confident of maintaining his place on top.

Predictions: Vettel or Hamilton?

Sepang is a circuit that has not suited Hamilton down the years. He has raced there for over 10 times and has won only once. Vettel, on the other hand, is a master of Malaysia, winning there four times already, and victory number 5 is what he needs right now.

When it rains in this part of the world, it usually pours. So that is one major thing the drivers have to watch out for. In 2009, the race had to be stopped after 31 laps due to a flooded race track, and a 3 pm start time leaves the race vulnerable to a late-afternoon storm. Thunderstorms are anticipated on all three days of the event, so it promises to be a great farewell in Malaysia.