Like all racing fans across the globe, Sepang International Circuit (SIC) chairman and racing enthusiast Dato’ Mokhzani Mahathir has been waiting anxiously for the start of the 2011 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season.

The new season opens at Albert Park in Melbourne this weekend with the Australian Grand Prix before heading to SIC in two weeks’ time for the 13^th edition of the Formula 1 PETRONAS Malaysia Grand Prix.

Even though dampened that the season opener had to be delayed with the cancellation of the Bahrain Grand Prix, Mokhzani said the move was understandable “as safety and security concerns will always take precedence over all other issues.”

“For the teams, it just gives them a bit more time to prepare,” said Mokhzani, adding that despite being reduced to 19 rounds from the original 20 legs it was still going to be taxing for the teams.

“It makes for an interesting season as the lead changes throughout the season. As the case in 2010, the chase for the championship went right down to the last race,” added Mokhzani, who forecasts McLaren, Red Bull and Ferrari to be the top contenders this season. “It will probably be the usual suspects – McLaren, Red Bull, Ferrari. But they will be shadowed closely by Mercedes and Renault F1. Experience and winning ways that were displayed in 2010 will be carried over into 2011.”

On the new rules introduced this year, Mokhzani commented, “The changes affect all teams so we will have to see if the teams’ technical guys can make full use of the changes or find solutions to overcome whatever technical disadvantage they may face.

“The moveable rear wing is an interesting change but I am not sure being able to use it only when someone else says you can is a good thing. Even though there are a few rule changes and the introduction of a new tire supplier, it is a change that affects all teams. So with all things being equal, you should see the same dominance as last year. But I am sure some of the teams will prove me wrong,” said Mokhzani, who is predicting Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull Racing will win his second world crown this year. Vettel won his maiden world crown last year with 256 points, edging out former champion Fernando Alonso by only four points.

Mokhzani also pointed out that Lotus Renault’s challenge this season would be seriously affected with the absence of their star driver Robert Kubica, who was seriously injured in an accident while competing in a rally in Italy in February. “That is a big blow not only to the team but to F1. He is part of the new generation of drivers that sprung up after Schumacher. Fast, aggressive and nerves of steel,” he said.

In the absence of Kubica, the Lotus Renault GP which is backed by Proton has roped in the highly experienced Nick Heidfeld. The German was Mercedes GP PETRONAS test driver last year and previously drove for BMW Sauber and would be partnering Russian Vitaly Petrov.

On Michael Schumacher’s second season with Mercedes GP PETRONAS, Mokhzani said, “A lot is expected of Michael this year because of the hype surrounding his second ‘debut’ in 2010. I am sure Mercedes GP has taken into consideration Michael’s feedback in the design of their 2011 car. Problem is, what might be good for Michael might not be good for Nico Rosberg.”Making his comeback last season, Schumacher failed to live up to pre-season expectations and could only manage ninth overall with 72 points.

Having said all that, Mokhzani pointed out that it would be difficult to predict the outcome of the first race in Melbourne. “Despite all the reports coming from their test sessions, it is very difficult to predict the first race. Just like last season, we will also see some rookies take to the grid. The new teams from 2010 would have had a year’s experience under their belt so they will be gunning to step up and climb a few rungs higher. We will see what happens.”

Furthermore, Sepang, unlike Melbourne, would provide a better picture of the championship battle. “I have always felt that being the second race is advantageous as we would see the true performance of the teams, drivers and cars after they run a full race in anger at Albert Park. They will also know how all their competitors perform and can then fine-tune their race strategies accordingly.” he said.

To Mokhzani, the race in Malaysia would favour the Sepang veterans. “Conditions in Sepang are completely different from Melbourne in terms of temperature, humidity and the circuit layout. The Sepang veterans will always have the upper hand. All they need to do this time is to figure out how well the Pirellis will do in these conditions. We are just as anxious as they are,” he added.

Targeting an attendance of 100,000 for the race, SIC had lowered ticket prices for the event with the cheapest tickets for seats at the Hillstand areas currently priced at RM60 for the whole three-day event.

Tickets can be purchased by calling TICKET HOTLINE at 603-87782222 or via internet at www.sepangcircuit.com.

Malaysia’s Sepang event is losing traction, according to the circuit’s boss who admitted the shabby stadium and tropical temperatures have caused ticket sales to plunge.

The Malaysian event has also been outshone by neighbouring Singapore, which offers not just adrenaline-packed night racing on a street circuit, but teams it with live entertainment by big-name performers like Beyonce.

Razlan Razali, chief executive of the Sepang International Circuit, said that Malaysians increasingly preferred to watch the race on television rather than brave the afternoon heat.

“It has lost its lustre,” Razlan said in an interview with AFP.

“Having Singapore next to us for F1 does not help and our biggest competitor is the television as many people prefer to watch the race from the comfort of their homes.”

Despite ticket prices going for as low as $19, the cheapest on the F1 circuit, the 13-year-old Sepang event which has a daily capacity of 130,000 has not been pulling in the crowds.

Razlan said that last year just 97,000 people were drawn to the circuit over three days. In 2009 there were 126,000 while 2006 recorded the biggest crowd with 140,000 over three days.

The circuit boss admitted that Sepang is a “tired-looking” venue in urgent need of rejuvenation.

But he said he has received no reply after petitioning the government to fund a major overhaul at a cost of 180 million ringgit (59 million dollars).

Sepang’s soaring roof, inspired by the hibiscus which is Malaysia’s national flower, need to be replaced as the grandstand canopy has exceeded its lifespan and cannot cope with Malaysia’s tropical downpours.

“When it rains, it leaks. People are not happy. The circuit was built in a record time but unfortunately there were shortcuts and poor maintenance,” he said.

The sport’s ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone proclaimed Singapore as the “jewel in F1′s crown” when the city-state hosted its first night race in 2008.

But in crushing comments for Malaysia, he likened Sepang to “an old house that needs a bit of redecorating.”

“It’s starting to get a little shabby and looks a bit tired. There is rubbish all over the place and it’s not really a good sign for Malaysia,” Ecclestone said at the time.

Razlan, who took over shortly after Ecclestone aired his criticism, said that to counter the decline, Sepang should stage a night race before its rights to host F1 expire in 2015.

“We should do one night race before we extend the 2015 contract. Maybe this will attract a bigger crowd as the weather at night will be cool,” the 38-year-old said.

Other Asia-Pacific countries that host Formula One races are Australia, China and South Korea. India holds its first race this year.

But Razlan said that despite its shortcomings, the Malaysian event has a strong impact on the national tourism industry as it is beamed live across the globe, providing priceless publicity.

“(Financially) it is a loss-making event but the economic impact to the country is great,” he said.

Malaysia will host the second leg of this year’s Formula One calendar on April 10 after the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix scheduled for March 13 was cancelled due to the deadly political unrest in the Gulf state.

Razlan said that so far demand for the 13th Malaysian Grand Prix has been disappointing, and well short of the targeted average of 33,000 a day over the three-day event.

“In November we began our promotion. We have sold 6,000 tickets to foreigners. However the domestic market is yet to pick up,” he said.

From Left: Vitaly Petrov & Tung Ho Pin

With certain manufacturers such as BMW, Honda and Toyota having departed Formula One racing, we were almost certain that this year’s F1 event may not be as fun-filled as last year’s due to the recent global economic down-turn that heavily affect many car manufacturers.

Thankfully, Renault stayed in the sport was able to hook us up with a meet and greet session with Vitaly Petrov and Tung Ho Pin.

The main purpose of this session was to pit our skills against F1 talent. And in our cocky minds, we decided to lie to ourselves in that we’d stand a good chance in beating them. Optimism? I call this delusions of grandeur.

It was mid-morning and the sun began beating down upon us. We were separated into four groups where we’d take have 3 laps for practice and another 3 laps for qualifying, followed by a final 7 lap race for the top 10 karters who posted the best times. Admittedly, making it into the top 10 list wasn’t easy but placing 8th on the grid was good enough for me.

...unfair advantage!

To my surprise, it was a miniature version of Sepang’s circuit and to a bigger surprise, it was in reverse! Going counter clockwise was something unnatural to me, but needless to say, we were still “optimistic”. We were all going to put these F1 drivers to shame with some of our “local” talent!

The karts had 100cc 2-stroke engines with slick tires and electric starters. Once up to speed, they will throw you around in your seat, if it weren’t snug enough, around the corners. Having about half an inch on either side of my rib-cage, it was evident that I was unsettling the weight-balance of the kart due to my sudden weight shifts from left to right. Balance is tantamount in karting and needless to say, when the green flag was waved and the final session started, Vitaly and Ho Pin demonstrated their ability to manage the kart’s weight exceptionally, because we literally ate their dust.

Since the two F1 drivers were very much ahead of us all, they took the opportunity to have a good time goofing around by tailgating one another.

You Boys ready to go!?

By mid-day the session had ended and to say the least, it was certainly a smashing day with the drivers after having spun off countless times, having slight bruises on my ribs and especially a bruised ego to nurse back home.

Whilst replacing Heikki Kovalainen for the session he completed 19 laps with a best time of 1.40.721 in a good run in the morning heat. Jarno Trulli completed 21 laps and finished ahead of the other new teams on 1.39.460.

Before Fairuz saw the green light Tony lent into the cockpit to tell Fairuz how proud both he and the whole country was of this landmark moment. After the session was completed Tony said “It’s just unbelievable! I woke up at 6am today as I couldn’t sleep I was so excited. I’m just really pleased to see Fairuz out there with Jarno and the rest of the household names that make up the grid.

“It’s great that F1™ gives the chance for developing teams and developing countries to come to the fore and grab this sort of opportunity. It shows that the combination of British and Malaysian skills can dare to dream of competing on a global level, and can do so in an innovative, fresh way. Fairuz is a lad who has climbed the motorsport ladder – from his local roots at the kart circuit his Father built in Kuala Lumpur, to being on track in F1™ in a car built in the UK and competing all around the world. For me that’s a very clear sign of how well our Anglo-Malaysian collaboration is working, and long may that continue.”

Fairuz himself said “I feel very good, very motivated and this is really a special day for me as it’s our home run. It’s great to be back again. The last time I was in Barcelona, which is a long time ago! I’ve always said that I’ll be ready and fit, but it’s still great that I was on the pace immediately. I’m happy and I hope we can do well this weekend – the car feels great, and I think it’s faster than it was in Melbourne. It’s going to be an exciting weekend – in Malaysia, anything can happen! If it rains and we can get an advantage out of it, then that’s good.

Jarno Trulli: “It started off as a difficult day but I managed to do some good setup work and it was a positive two sessions. It seems we are competitive when compared to the other new teams but as we are ultimately aiming to fight with the top teams we are looking to get ourselves into a position where we can work on detailed setups, and that will start from Barcelona. I am pleased that today’s sessions, when compared to the previous two races, both went faultlessly and I’m very glad about that. I like the heat – I like racing in the heat as it tests fitness and I’ve always performed well here, so I’m looking forward to tomorrow and the race on Sunday.”

Heikki Kovalainen: “I’m really pleased with the car – obviously I didn’t get much time to practice today, but it felt good and I’m feeling very confident with it. I’m looking forward to the race ahead – I think we’re in really good shape. We tried a different set up with my car, and it took a few laps to get into it, but really I was very pleased and happy and looking forward to getting in the car again tomorrow. Weather wise, it is very hot and humid, and it’s difficult conditions here, but I’m feeling good and am very fit for the race.”

Mike Gascoyne: “All round a very successful day. It was good to have Fairuz in the car this morning and he was able to complete his entire program. Heikki took over the car in the afternoon and was also able to finish his planned program – evaluating the tyres and the race pace of the car. We had no mechanical issues on either car and in general I’m very pleased with the progress we’re making, so well done to the whole team.”

Rounding off the day in Malaysia was Tony Fernandes who said “Great day – we did everything we wanted to do and I’m extremely pleased. We’re getting better and better so let’s hope we continue this tomorrow in qualifying. We are being realistic though – points aren’t in my mind. I just want to finish the race, get both cars home and keep our feet on the ground. Of course I’m still dreaming – I put Colin Chapman’s cap on the pit wall to remind everyone of what we’re aspiring to, but we’ll get there in the right way, and the dream continues.”

As the world anxiously waits in excitement for the Formula 1 Championship season, promoters of 2010 Formula 1 PETRONAS Malaysian Grand Prix kicked of their promotion campaign in Kuala Lumpur amidst strong confidence of a large turnout event on 2 to 4 April in Sepang.

In a joint promotion at the PETRONAS Philharmonic Hall Foyer within the capital’s leading shopping complex Suria KLCC, event organizer and promoter Sepang International Circuit (SIC) and title sponsor PETRONAS also launched the ‘I Love F1′ campaign to generate greater interest and increasing the awareness among Malaysians for the sports and in support of the 1Malaysia campaign in promoting multi racial harmony and understanding among the people through F1.

“This should be the most exciting season in years in Formula 1 especially from the Malaysian perspective ans it is our wish to see everyone in the  ‘ I Love F1′  t-shirt filling the circuit on race day,” says Razlan Razali who is SIC Chief Executive Officer and event director for the 2010 Formula 1 PETRONAS Malaysian Grand Prix.

With PETRONAS also being title sponsor of the new Mercedes GP-PETRONAS F1 Team, which effectively is the defending champion Brawn GP, will be the team the world will watch as it sensationally brings back seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher to the racing grid.

With Schumacher’s slick driving skills and the engineering brilliance of Ross Brawn, its supporters are brimming with confidence that the Mercedes GP-PETRONAS will be among the top contenders for the world championship this season.

All the competing teams would go into testing in February as they start preparation for 19-round championship, which will open in Sakhir at the Bahrain Grand Prix from March 12-14. Malaysia will host Round 3 of the world championship at Sepang Circuit from April 2 to 4.

The 2010 race in Sepang will mark the 12th edition of the Formula 1 PETRONAS Malaysian Grand Prix, which can be traced back to October 1999 which saw Schumacher making a comeback in Sepang after a long lay-off following an accident at the British Grand Prix earlier in July where he broke his right leg.

Also known as the 1Malaysia Racing Team, the Lotus F1 Racing Team is bringing back the highly successful brand back into the F1 world with the backing of top Malaysian corporate companies that included Proton as the owner of Lotus Group, Naza Group and Air Asia.

Most prominent would be the no refueling rule, which will demand bigger fuel tanks and deeper intelligence in preserving fuel. Pitstops, however, remained necessary as teams would be required to use both sets of tires of different compounds.

The 2010 Formula 1 PETRONAS Malaysian Grand Prix itself would have a change with the 12th editon starting at 4pm instead of 5pm as it had last year. Prior to 2009, the Malaysian race had traditionally started at 3pm; but had been delayed to boost TV viewing in the European sector.

“As to what we organized last year, we will be bringing again the drivers’ autograph session at the track.  We will also have entertainment and activities at the Mall Area throughout the event and a big after-race concert….It will be big this year” said Razlan.

With all these supporting elements, Razlan has expressed confidence that the 2010 Formula 1 PETRONAS Malaysian Grand Prix would draw a capacity crowd and even breaking the 2008 Race Day attendance over 120,000 trackside spectators

“Our tickets are priced as low as RM100 and as we did in previous years, we are offering discounts for students and special packages for groups,” said Razlan, adding that purchases of selected tickets between now and January31 would entitle the buyer a 50 percent discount on a second ticket.

Show your passion for F1 Malaysia and get your “I Love F1′ t-shirt and the 2010 PETRONAS Malaysian Grand Prix tickets at all participating outlets or log on to www.sepangcircuit.com for online purchase and information.

For more press information, contact the Sepang International Circuit F1 National Press Officer at 03-877 8225 or 019-317 4555 or email at norlina.ayob@sepangcircuit.com.my