It was announced on Friday that this year’s Malaysian Grand Prix will be the last one, with Formula 1 and officials at Sepang jointly agreeing to cancel the contract prematurely. Sepang has played host to some iconic moments in the sport’s 21st century history and gradually grew into an established event; Motorsport Week takes a look back at some of the best moments from the Malaysian Grand Prix.
2001
Formula 1’s first visit to the Herman Tilke-designed circuit in 1999 paved the way for the sport’s gradual Eastward direction, but it was in the third year, following a switch to an early-season date, that the region’s fickle weather impacted on proceedings. Leading pair Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello both shot wide and bounced through the gravel at Turn 6 as the heavens opened, while a stacked pit stop delayed the pair further, as they dropped down the order. David Coulthard took over the lead, with Arrows’ Jos Verstappen a starring second, but the Ferrari duo fought back, with Schumacher surging forwards, eventually leading a 1-2 finish.
2003
This wasn’t so much a thriller but a race which truly indicated a new era of Formula 1 was approaching. Fernando Alonso, fresh from a year out of testing with Renault, flew to his maiden pole position, and led the opening phase of the race, while McLaren’s Kimi Räikkönen gradually made progress from seventh on the grid and extended his opening stint to emerge in front when the pit stop phase cycled through. Räikkönen duly cruised to his maiden Formula 1 win, while Alonso bagged his first podium in third place, the future World Champions starring at Sepang.
2009
Jenson Button and Brawn GP had delivered on pre-season promise at the preceding round in Australia and the fairy-tale continued in Malaysia. Button took pole position but slipped behind lighter-fuelled cars at the start, as Nico Rosberg shot into the lead for Williams. Button inherited the advantage once more following the first round of stops as dark clouds loomed overhead, and eventually a torrent of water was unleashed on the circuit. The race was red-flagged after several drivers speared off-track amid worsening conditions, and the field reformed on a drenched pit straight, unsure of the plan. The call was made not to restart the race, and half points were awarded.
2013
The race started in damp conditions and early leader Sebastian Vettel came in for slicks relatively early, ceding the lead to Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber when he made his stop for dry rubber. The order was retained as the strategies played out but when Webber emerged from the pit lane after his final service, the pursuing Vettel attacked. Webber held on, but a couple of laps later Vettel and Webber thrillingly ran side-by-side for several corners and the reigning champion barged past, much to Webber’s annoyance. “Multi 21 Seb, multi 21,” came the brief exchange of words post-race, as it was confirmed that Vettel had ignored team orders to maintain position through to the chequered flag.
2016
The dominant Mercedes outfit had looked on course to secure the Constructors’ title at the home of lead sponsor Petronas, with Lewis Hamilton serene up front, as he sought to grab a healthy haul of points in his battle with Rosberg. However, Hamilton's engine expired spectacularly along the pit straight during the closing stages, turning the intra-team title fight on its head, as he crouched disconsolately next to his chargrilled machine. Red Bull took a 1-2 finish, with Daniel Ricciardo fending off Max Verstappen via a spectacular wheel-to-wheel duel, while Rosberg recovered from being spun by Vettel at the start to finish third.
