All eyes are on the champion Sebastian Vettel as he aims to registers his fifth consecutive title, with other fierce competitors lurking in the shadows. PHOTO: AFP
The German superstar is aiming for a fifth consecutive title this year and there are few predicting a different outcome considering the 26-year-old’s supremacy on the track.
From Melbourne the championship moves on to Sepang in Malaysia. The track next to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport has been hosting the F1 race for the last 15 years and once again the last week of March [Race Day March 30] is set to be a truly festive occasion for enthusiasts of speed, thrill and adrenaline rush.
Malaysian consul general in Karachi Abu Bakar Mamat is a keen follower of motorsports, especially F1, and is hopeful of another dazzling race in his hometown.
Abu Bakar follows the sport passionately and, like most fanatic followers, has a strong opinion. “It’s not an individual game, the entire team comprising of the crew and technical members besides the driver are equally responsible for the success and defeat that a team suffers. The driver takes all the glory though.”
When asked about the history of the sport in Malaysia, Abu Bakar revealed that the Sepang track is an attraction for fans from around the world annually; at the time of the race the excitement is palpable.
“When the race was first held in Sepang in 1999, Malaysians in general were somehow oblivious of the sport. The Sepang circuit was former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s brainchild, and immediately the thrill of cars whizzing by at 200 miles per hour caught everyone’s imagination”.
Abu Bakar claims that the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) and Malaysian government is are keen on extending the contract of Sepang circuit with FIA, the F1 governing body, the current one expires in 2015, but an extension is on the cards.
“F1 is very much relevant for Malaysia due to its enormous impact on the country’s economy. It has a global appeal and we have travellers from around the world converging to Sepang every year to witness the hottest race of the year, literally.”
‘Fanfare and festivities galore’
Meanwhile, according to Abu Bakar, the event is a life time experience not to be missed by any motorsport fan.
“The upcoming Formula One Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix in Sepang will be an exceptional event as it is happening concurrently with Visit Malaysia Year 2014 (VMY2014). It is more than just an F1 race. Visitors may experience a total Malaysian excitement from the food carnival to live music entertainment.
“This year’s F1 festival includes the performance of internationally acclaimed DJ Calvin Harris who currently holds the Guinness World Record for the most top ten hits from a single album in the UK.”
The consul general is keen on promoting the race in Pakistan too. He thinks that Sepang circuit and the entire festival is a tremendous vacation for sport enthusiasts in the country.
“In recent years many Pakistanis have travelled to the race, this time around too we would afford them a warm welcome. Let us not forget that an F1 race provides the rare opportunity of witnessing some incredibly gifted athletes ply their trade at the highest possible endurance levels”.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 13th, 2014.
Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ