KUALA LUMPUR: Tuesday was a day for love and Sepang International Circuit (SIC) were also looking to spark the same enthusiasm for fans to support this year’s Petronas Formula One Malaysia Grand Prix from March 23-25.
SIC, the promoters and organisers of the event, timed their official launch for the premier motor racing event at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur last night to coincide with Valentine’s Day.
SIC chairman Datuk Mokhzani Mahathir said with the unprecedented presence of six world champions on the grid this year, SIC are hoping to woo in a record-breaking 90,000 fans on race day alone.
SIC recorded an attendance of 105,000 spectators for three days last year.
“I am hoping that more fans will come on race day this time around as we will have six world champions doing battle for the first time in Malaysia.
“With the return of 2007 champion Kimi Raikkonen, the Malaysia Grand Prix is expected to be a mouth-watering affair as he will be joined on the grid by current champion Sebastian Vettel and former winners Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and Michael Schumacher,” said Mokhzani.
Nicknamed the “Iceman”, Raikkonen is making a comeback with the Lotus F1 Team after a two-year hiatus competing in the World Rally Championship.
With the season due to start in Australia on March 16-18, the attention will shift to Malaysia a week later where the drivers will attempt to continue their mission to challenge the hegemony of German driver Vettel, who has ruled for the past two years.
At only 24, Vettel is gunning to become the youngest to win a hat-trick of world titles but he will not have an easy ride.
In addition to all the excitement, the Malaysia Grand Prix will also be a special occasion for Malaysia as SIC welcome back the participation of three Malaysian-backed teams on the grid.
The three teams are Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team, Lotus F1 Team and Caterham F1 Team.
Mokhzani added they will work hard to make the 14th edition of the Malaysia Grand Prix the best ever since 1999.
“SIC have a lot to offer to all motorsports enthusiasts. Our tickets are the most affordable in the world.
“Based on an independent study, the preliminary results indicated that the Malaysian Grand Prix last year alone generated a total economic activity of approximately RM200mil.
“This is part of the spill-over effect of F1 in generating tourism dollars with many racing fans who come over to Malaysia for the sole purpose of watching the race most likely extending their stay to visit the other attractions in our country,” he added.
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