After an eventful race in Azerbaijan noticed George Russell narrowly beat Max Verstappen, Method 1 strikes straight onto the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia. However how a lot are you aware concerning the Sepang Worldwide Circuit? F1.com has your all-in-one information…
When was Malaysia’s first Grand Prix?
After it was determined that the Bahrain Grand Prix would not take place in its original calendar slot in April, Malaysia stepped up to host the occasion, shifting it to the primary weekend of October.
It’ll mark the primary Grand Prix on the Sepang Worldwide Circuit since 2017, however the nation’s hyperlinks with F1 return to the Nineties, when then-Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad set about constructing a first-rate motorsport venue.
As soon as famend designer Hermann Tilke had deliberate the format, building started in 1997, with the inaugural race happening in 1999. It was gained by Ferrari’s Eddie Irvine and established Sepang as a quick and difficult observe, setting a precedent for different purpose-built circuits.
What’s the circuit prefer to drive?
Solely 10 drivers on the present grid have competed in Malaysia earlier than – that was practically a decade in the past, so whereas they’ll have a bonus over their youthful rivals, it’s probably that there’ll be a steep studying curve for everybody.
Jolyon Palmer, former Renault F1 driver, defined: “Sepang is a brilliantly flowing lap, with a quick center sector splintering massive braking zones with loads of switchback alternative.
“Flip 1 is extraordinarily huge and it’s vital to assault the brakes earlier than getting again to hug a late apex to get properly out of the tighter Flip 2 and up the next curved straight.
“The center sector is all about high-speed steadiness and stream. A dedicated entry is required on the entry for the extremely high-speed run by 5 earlier than selecting your change of course completely into 6 because the observe drops away barely. That is the very best pace cornering part on the circuit. Flip 7 is a bit slower and simple to run huge on the exit earlier than the ultimate a part of that sequence which must be an acceleration zone if executed proper.
“Braking for each Turns 11 and 14 are tough and all about really feel as you’re coaxing the automotive by proper hand bends on method, particularly for 14 the place it’s straightforward to lock the correct entrance. Once more, the exit of this nook is vital, main into the ultimate massive stamp on the brakes and an overtaking probability on the remaining flip.”
If the format doesn’t sound demanding sufficient, Sepang can be identified for its unpredictable climate – excessive humidity, excessive warmth and sudden downpours have all impacted races up to now.
The place are the Straight Mode zones and overtake detection?
As a reminder, and as defined in our pre-season summary of regulation changes, Straight Mode is a unique aerodynamic configuration that enables automobiles to cut back their drag, making them extra environment friendly when accelerating up in direction of prime pace.
The rear wing continues to open up a spot – identical to it did when drivers used DRS (the Drag Discount System) up to now – however now the entrance wing additionally strikes. The uppermost entrance wing components drop down on the similar time the rear wing’s prime aspect does.
It is a mode that’s used on each single lap in dry circumstances, in each space that’s designated for it. Basically, the automotive will adapt between two totally different configurations relying on the place it’s on the observe, offering most downforce in corners however then much less drag on straights.
In Malaysia, there are 4 designated Straight Mode zones, starting with a run alongside the beginning/end straight, then between Turns 3 and 4, between Turns 8 and 9, and eventually between Turns 14 and 15.
In the meantime, Overtake Mode replaces DRS and is a brand new energy mode that enables a driver to recharge extra electrical power, and generate an extra electrical energy profile, to allow them to maintain the next pace for an extended interval.
There’s one detection level per lap for this mode – anticipated to be out of the ultimate nook on many events, main onto a protracted straight – and it will likely be out there to drivers on the next lap so long as they keep inside a second of the automotive in entrance at that detection level.
The Overtake Detection marker on the Sepang Worldwide Circuit comes as drivers exit Flip 15, whereas the Overtake Activation line follows at first of the beginning/end straight.