Malaysian Grand Prix Preview

Tom Wilkinson's Track Talk – Sepang (Kuala Lumpur)

The Facts

Lap – 5.543km

Race Laps: 56

Lap Record: 1:34.223

J.P Montoya (2004)

2012 Winner: Fernando Alonso

Race Date: 24.03.2013

Safety Car – Possible, Due To Weather.

Weather – Hot, Humid & Possible Storms

Tyres – Medium & Hard

The Circuit
The Sepang Circuit is one of my favourite tracks on the F1 calendar. The Malaysian Grand Prix has been part of the F1 calendar since 1998. It was the first ultra modern circuit with large run off areas, and a 22 meter wide track in some places, it set a benchmark in track safety.

The flow and speed of this place in terrific. It's incredibly technical and requires the most out of the cars, but it's also a huge challenge for the drivers.

The Humidity in Malaysia is always extremely high, the heat adds to that and it becomes a very tropical and challenging environment. Temperatures inside the cockpit can reach over 60 degrees celsius during the race. The weather is often changeable, tropical storms can be a major threat here as we've seen in the past. This is one of the toughest races of the year.

There's always good racing around Sepang, the wide track means there is plenty of opportunity for overtaking. The DRS zones are the back and start finish straights, each zone will have an individual detection zone. These will aid overtaking possibilities but there are several points around the track that also present overtaking opportunities.

I could tell you which corners are great to watch the cars go through, but there are so many here. The main ones are Turns 5 and 6, also 12, 13 and 14, very fast sections of track taken flat out. The track surface is very smooth in Sepang, there are plenty of tarmac run off areas too. This is a fantastic place for Formula 1 racing.

The Times

The 2013 Malaysian Grand Prix is an early start once again although not as bad as Melbourne last week.

Here is how the race weekend looks for UK Viewers.

Friday 22nd
First Practice: 02:00 – 03:30
Second Practice: 06:00 – 07:30

Saturday 23rd
Third Practice: 05:00 – 06:00
Qualifying: 08:00

Sunday 24th
Race: 08:00

The Coverage
All sessions will be covered Live on Sky Sports F1 HD and repeated later in the day. The BBC will have extended highlights on Qualifying and the Race. See your TV guide for programme times.

You can stay up to date with all the Formula 1 news by following me on Twitter @TomWilkinsonF1 #TWF1 where I'll be commentating Live throughout the weekend. I'll be covering each session live and keeping you right up to date with the very latest.

I'll be reporting right here at Driving For Pleasure on Qualifying and the Race, don't miss out on any of the action.