Sepang will again play host to Round 2 of the FIA Formula One Grand Prix World Championship in 2008, which many believe is the real start of the championship battle for the world crown.

The new 2008 season opens in Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne on March 16 as the teams and drivers get their first taste of competition after months of wait and suspense; testing and experimenting; hoping that they have finally found the perfect set up their race machines.

More often than not, the teams usually struggle at the Australian Grand Prix as they learned more about themselves, their drivers and their opponents. Moreover, the contest around a tight street circuit of Albert Park provided additional limitations for the teams and drivers to push themselves to their true best. 

Hosting the 10th edition of the Formula One Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix from March 21 to 23, Sepang will again provide the stiffest test for the teams and drivers with its challenging weather and the demanding 5.543-km circuit.  

“The Malaysian GP has always been the race eagerly waited by the teams and drivers as they prepared themselves for what is usually their biggest test of the season due to the challenging weather and humidity,” says SIC Senior General Manager Datuk Azmi Murad.

The 2008 Formula One Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix will be launched on January 18 by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi at Esplanade Suria KLCC, Kuala Lumpur.

Azmi, who is the event director, also declared that SIC was ready to deliver its best ever Grand Prix this year to mark the 10th edition, adding that the spirit of the SIC staff was very high.

“It would be more than just an event for us next year. We aim to make it big and impactful in all aspects,” said Azmi, adding that the circuit has set an attendance of 125,000 spectators for the race.

A host of events had been lined up by SIC and its key partners Petronas, Tourism Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur City Hall in conjunction with the 10th edition of the Formula One Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix next year.

The 2007 race in Sepang was won by Spain’s Fernando Alonso of McLaren Mercedes, who would be looking for his third Malaysian crown after winning it for the first time in 2005 with Renault.

Returning to Renault this year, Alonso is expected to be closely challenged by the 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen, who will be looking for his second title in Sepang; having won in 2003 with McLaren.

F1 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix Past Winners 

2007 - Fernando Alonso (McLaren Mercedes)
2006 - Giancarlo Fisichella (Renault)
2005 - Fernando Alonso (Renault)
2004 - Michael Schumacher (Ferrari)
2003 - Kimi Raikkonen (McLaren Mercedes)
2002 - Ralf Schumacher (Williams)
2001 - Michael Schumacher (Ferrari)
2000 - Michael Schumacher (Ferrari)
1999 - Eddie Irvine (Ferrari)

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