Preview
Formula 1
McLaren work tirelessly to bring additional performance at Sepang Circuit
After bad debut in Australia, McLaren is trying understand new car behaviour and to increase understanding of the package.
Edited: Mar 19, 2013, 2:01 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Sepang was the first all-new Formula 1 circuit to be designed by Tilke GmbH, the company responsible for the construction of eight of the 19 tracks on the 2013 calendar. It is located alongside from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, 60km from Kuala Lumpur itself.
Jenson Button, McLaren MP4-28
Photo by: XPB Images
The track has hosted a round of the world championship every year since 1999, making it the oldest of the new breed of government-funded circuits on the calendar.
It’s popular with drivers and engineers alike, largely due to the variety of corners around the lap.
The fast sweeps in sector two are a great test of aerodynamic performance, while traction and braking are vital through the slower sections.
The two DRS zones in this weekend’s 56-lap race will be located along the two longest straights, making Turns One and 15 the most obvious overtaking opportunities.
The run from the start line to Turn One is 660m, the second longest in F1, and it’s sure to create plenty of action on lap one.
If the race is dry, the heat and humidity will make this race one of the toughest on the calendar for man and machine; if it rains, as it did last year, survival will be key.
McLaren has won this race twice, in 2003 and ’07, and both of our drivers have good records at Sepang. Jenson scored his first F1 podium at the track in 2004 and he won the race in ’09; Checo finished second in the race last year.
Jenson Button: “Australia was obviously a tough weekend and, despite getting the maximum out of the car, it’s still clearly not where we want to be. There's a lot of work to be done but we all know that this team won’t stop working until they get it right.
“For this weekend, I don’t think we can expect an improvement in our fortunes, but the thing about Malaysia is that it can be so unpredictable – particularly with the later start time on Sunday afternoon, which tends to see late-afternoon showers fall.
We saw that last year, when Fernando won, and we know that the unpredictable weather can make it a lottery for everyone.
“That’s something that could play into our hands – I do enjoy driving in changeable conditions, and would love the challenge of being able to run competitively in a car that we all know is not quite capable of challenging for victories yet.
Sergio Perez: “Last weekend’s race was a difficult one for everybody on the team, but it’s shown us exactly what we need to do to close down the gap to the leaders.
This weekend in Malaysia will be about trying to maximise the package we have while knowing that it’s not going to be enough to allow us to fight for overall victory.
“Still, we know what we have to do – and I know that everybody within the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team will be working incredibly hard to bring performance to the car.
That may not happen in Malaysia, as it’s so soon after the Australian Grand Prix, but we know it’ll start coming soon.
“For me, Sepang holds many happy memories – I had one of the best races of my career there last year where I was able to push Fernando for victory until the closing laps.
It’s a fantastic circuit, really fast and demanding. It would be great to pull off another unexpected result for the team this year.”
Martin Whitmarsh, Team principal, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes: “Clearly, our performance in Australia last weekend was not up to our high expectations – and we have been working tirelessly to bring additional performance to MP4-28.
But the short turnaround between rounds one and two of the championship means that we’ll arrive in Malaysia with less scope to improve our fortunes.
This weekend, however, will provide us with additional opportunities to understand our car’s behaviour and to increase our understanding of the package.
“Nonetheless, the Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix brings its own unique challenges; it’s one of the most physically demanding races of the year – for both the drivers and their machinery – and the race will be tough for all competitors.
Both Jenson and Checo have gone well at this circuit in the past, and both put in excellent performances throughout the weekend in Australia, so I’m sure they’ll once again be pushing the car to its limit.”
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article After the excitement of the first race Marussia prepares for the Malaysian GP
Next article Sahara Force India looks forward to round two in Sepang
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jenson Button
The greatest F1 campaigns with no wins
Formula 1
The greatest F1 campaigns with no wins
Fernando Alonso earns Michael Schumacher comparison from Jenson Button
Formula 1
Formula 1
Italian GP
Fernando Alonso earns Michael Schumacher comparison from Jenson Button
Who belongs on F1's Mount Rushmore? Pick your four greatest drivers
Formula 1
Formula 1
Who belongs on F1's Mount Rushmore? Pick your four greatest drivers
More from
Mercedes
Charles Leclerc penalised for Liam Lawson clash; Kimi Antonelli and Oliver Bearman also punished after F1 Brazilian GP
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
9 h
Charles Leclerc penalised for Liam Lawson clash; Kimi Antonelli and Oliver Bearman also punished after F1 Brazilian GP
Kimi Antonelli: "Weird" spin and car instability cost F1 Brazilian GP win
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
10 h
Kimi Antonelli: "Weird" spin and car instability cost F1 Brazilian GP win
Latest news
WEC drivers question lack of full-course yellow after heavy Monza crash
WEC
WEC WEC
Monza
47 min
WEC drivers question lack of full-course yellow after heavy Monza crash
Kyle Larson, Cliff Daniels and the Hendrick 5 are who we say they are
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
2 h
Kyle Larson, Cliff Daniels and the Hendrick 5 are who we say they are
Final NASCAR Cup points standings after 2026 Homestead finale
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Homestead-Miami
6 h
Final NASCAR Cup points standings after 2026 Homestead finale
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe