10 Things You Didn’t Know About The Malaysian Grand Prix

Image source: Red Bull/ Getty Images

Following an intriguing start to the 2014 F1 season, the F1 circus now heads to Malaysia for round two. Here are 10 things you might not have known about the race:

1. Is it a bird? Is it a plane?

No, it's just Vitaly Petrov’s flying Lotus. The Russian driver created one of the most memorable moments in the history of the Malaysian GP when he ran wide at turn eight. As he returned to the track, he was launched into the air after hitting a large bump. The impact on landing was so severe that it broke his car’s steering column.

2. Iceman secures first win

Back in 2003, Kimi Raikkonen was a fresh-faced youngster looking to make an impression on the F1 world with McLaren. The Finn qualified in seventh place for that year's race in Malaysia but avoided the second-corner chaos to move up to fourth. He eventually weaved his way up to second and took the lead at his first pit stop after a longer opening stint. He built up a dominant lead and crossed the line 40 seconds clear of his nearest rival to take the first of 20 race wins in his career so far.

3. Half points

Image source: AP

The last time a Formula 1 race awarded half points was at the 2009 Malaysian Grand Prix. It was cut short due to heavy rain that caused horrendous driving conditions. As the race was red flagged on lap 33, with classifications being taken from two laps earlier, it failed to reach the 75 per cent (42 laps) distance required for full points to be awarded – the first time this had happened since the 1991 Australian GP.

4. When it rains, it pours

Image source: BBC

F1 race weekends in Malaysia are rarely without torrential rain and tropical storms. In 2001 the order was mixed-up by an early rain shower before Schumacher recovered to dominate. The 2009 race was cut short and red flagged due to the horrendous conditions and qualifying for the 2010 round saw top drivers Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso eliminated in the first qualifying session after being caught out by a heavy downpour.

5. Irvine gifted victory

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Michael Schumacher made an incredible recovery after breaking his leg earlier in the 1999 season to lead the first ever Malaysian Grand Prix. However, he gifted the race victory to team-mate Eddie Irvine as the Irishman was in the hunt for the title. Both Ferraris were disqualified after the race for an infringement with their bargeboards but were later reinstated after an appeal.

6. Multi-21

Image source: WTF1

Last year’s race featured one of the most controversial moments in recent F1 history after ruthless Sebastian Vettel ignored team orders to overtake teammate Webber and win the race. It made for an awkward podium, but lots of great content as you'll see in the video below:

7. Starting from the front

Image source: Ferrari

Of the 15 F1 races that have been held in Malaysia, eight of them have been won from pole position. The race victor has started as far down as eighth place (Alonso in 2012 for Ferrari), with the lowest grid position for a podium finisher being 10th (Nick Heidfeld in 2005 and 2009).

8. Home race?

Image source: Mercedes AMG Petronas

It may not seem like it but for two F1 teams on the 2014 grid, the Malaysian GP is a home race. The Caterham F1 Team is entered under the Malaysian flag and is backed by a consortium from the country. Meanwhile the UK-based Mercedes team has Malaysian oil giant Petronas as its title sponsor.

9. Masters of Malaysia

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Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel are the most successful F1 drivers at the Malaysian Grand Prix with three race wins each. Schumacher took all of his victories (2000, 2001 and 2004) in dominant style for Ferrari, with Alonso winning for three different teams – Renault in 2005, McLaren in 2007 and the Scuderia in 2012. Sebastian Vettel won in 2010, 2011 and 2013 for Red Bull Racing.

10. Tough conditions

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The hot and humid climate in Malaysia makes the 56-lap race the most challenging on the calendar. Cockpit temperatures often reach well over 50 degrees and humidity levels can sometimes exceed 80 per cent, which pushes drivers to the limit. Drivers typically lose around five per cent of their low body weights from fluid loss.