Sepang circuit lies next to the city’s main airport, about forty five minutes south of central Kuala Lumpur, and was purpose-built for Formula One as a state of the art racing circuit, the first of its kind in Malaysia. This will be the third consecutive Grand Prix the track has hosted and its excellent facilities provide a high quality working environment for teams and drivers. Sepang has an unusually wide track which allows for good overtaking opportunities, but is still a challenge for drivers with its variety of tight and flowing corners and two fast and long straights on either side of the spectacular canopied grandstands. The hot track temperature creates low grip level, with the heat also making this race hard on engines. A good car balance is required for the quick corners although the track’s flowing nature makes it light on the brakes.

Now scheduled at the opening end of the season, as opposed to the end, the Malaysian Grand Prix stands a greater chance of seeing rain for the race, although the heat and humidity will still be intense. In four of the last five years it has rained in Sepang on 18 March, which could make for an exciting race.