2008 Malaysian Grand Prix
From Powersports Information Wiki Source
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The 2008 Malaysian Grand Prix is the second race of the 2008 Formula One season, taking place just a week after the season-opener in Melbourne. The event will be held at the Sepang International Circuit, Kuala Lumpur from the 21st to the 23rd of March. The 2008 edition of the Malaysian Grand Prix will be the tenth race in the country.
Events will kick-off with a press conference on the 20th of March and will be followed by the Friday practices on the 21st, with one taking place at 10 in the morning and the second happening at 2 in the afternoon. The Saturday practice starts at 11:00 AM and will be followed by the qualifying at 2:00 PM. The Sunday main event will open with the Drivers Track Parade at 1:30 with the race taking place at 3 in the afternoon. (All times are subject to change)
Ferrari's Felipe Massa was fastest in the qualifying as rain started to drip in the waning moments of the Saturday event, thus gaining pole position. However in the actual race, the McLaren duo of double world champion Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton, who were 2nd and 4th in the qualifying, came out on top during the actual race with the former finishing on top with a time of 1:32:14.930. Hamilton on the other hand finished 17.5 seconds later but recorded the fastest lap at 1:36.701. Juan Pablo Montoya still holds the record for the fastest lap at 1:34.223 in 2004.
Circuit History
The history of formula One in Malaysia could be traced back in the mid 1990's when Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad promoted auto trade as one of the means to industrialize the country. It is through that objective that Formula One made its entry to the country. But in order to have a "home" for the premier racing event, Mohamad would then order the construction of a Grand Prix track which would not only provide a venue for the race, but would in a way put the country in the map. The result was the Sepang International Circuit.
The circuit, designed by Hermann Tilke, was completed in 1998 and hosted the first Grand Prix event in Southeast Asia in 1999. The SIC is also renowned for its impressive pit garage facilities and spacious grandstands with many amenities. F1 race drivers adore the track for its smooth and sweeping corners, few tight hairpins and a wide straight which is perfect for overtaking.
Resources
- 2008 Formula 1 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix Info
- 2008 Malaysian Grand Prix Wikipedia
- F1 Malaysian GP Sepang Circuit Details
External Links
| Previous Race: 2008 Australian Grand Prix | FIA Formula One World Championship 2008 Season | Next Race: 2008 Bahrain Grand Prix |
| Previous Race: 2007 Malaysian Grand Prix | Australian Grand Prix | Next Race: 2009 Malaysian Grand Prix |
