2013 Formula 1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix
A regular fixture on the Formula 1 calendar since 1999, the Sepang circuit was the first of the government-funded, Hermann Tilke-designed venues that now prevail in the sport.
Several high-speed changes of direction, coupled with long straights and tight hairpins, make the 5.543km track a thorough workout. Good car balance is vital and it’s no coincidence that the winner of the Malaysian Grand Prix has gone on to win the world title for the past three seasons.
The heat and humidity of the tropics add another dimension to this race. Blistering track and ambient temperatures make it hard on tyres, tough on drivers and one of the most physically difficult races for all F1 personnel.
Sebastian Vettel qualified on pole for the 2013 race with a time of 1:49.674 before winning it in 1:38:56.681. Sergio Pérez set the fastest lap of 1m39.199s.
Driving for McLaren-Mercedes, Kimi Raikkonen won his first Grand Prix here in 2003. The youngster charged from seventh on the grid to win by a mighty 39s from Ferrari’s Rubens Barrichello.
Fernando Alonso won his first race here for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes in 2007. He led home team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who outfoxed Ferrari's Felipe Massa in a tense early battle.
2011 sees Jenson Button start fourth and, exhibiting the maturity and long-sightedness that is to define his season, looks after his tyres to take a tenacious runner-up position – his first podium of the year.
2005 - McLaren don’t win this race, but the pace of Raikkonen’s MP4-20 was astounding. After suffering a mid-race puncture, he blasted back through the field to finish ninth, setting fastest lap.
McLaren at the Malaysian Grand Prix : 2 wins (2003, 2007), 4 fastest laps (2000, ’01, ’05, ’07, ’13)
