Better F1 lap times on upgraded Sepang circuit

SEPANG: The newly resurfaced Sepang International Circuit has helped Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 racers come close to beating a lap record set in 2004.

Its CEO Datuk Razlan Razali said that having Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton closing in on the 1 minute, 34.223 sec record, held by Juan Pablo Montoya, meant the upgrade was money well spent.

"The performance was impressive, considering that the cars were made to be slower this time round.

"I didn't realise that it could get that close to the record. It was at least five seconds faster than last year's best lap time and to me that is huge," he said at the circuit yesterday.

He added that it spoke volumes about the improved characteristics of the upgraded track.

During the first practice session on Friday, Rosberg led the team by completing a lap in 1 minute, 35.227 sec.

He was overtaken later by team mate Hamilton, who completed a lap in 1 minute, 34.944 sec in the second practice session.

"It's always good to see people going faster and faster. F1 is the pinnacle of motorsports and it's the fastest four wheels on a track," Razlan said.

He said it was expected that the lap time would be brought down even more during qualifying rounds today.

"It could go down to 1 minute, 33 sec," he added.

Razlan said the Malaysian Olympic and Paralympic medallists would attend the race on Sunday.

"We have confirmed that they will be there and will be a part of the opening ceremony.

"We have arranged an autograph session with the Olympians; the medallists from previous Olympics and the recent Paralympics champions will be guests of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at the Perdana Suite," he said.

On another matter, Razlan said the FIA has confirmed the race calendar for next year's F1 Championship and F1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix scheduled for Sept 17.

"We are happy that it is before the Singapore Grand Prix. It gives us time to promote it longer," he said.

The Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix qualifying session starts at 5pm today, with the main racetaking place at 3pm on Sunday.