Malaysian GP Preview

Malaysian GP 2003
By Sauber-Petronas (12/3/2004)
March 13 2004

After the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, Team SAUBER PETRONAS moves to Malaysia to compete in the second leg of the FIA Formula One World Championship, the PETRONAS Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang on 21 March.

Willy Rampf (Technical Director):

"Sepang is like Albert Park in Australia, a maximum downforce track under the latest aerodynamic regulations. Cooling is also a critical factor. Especially for the race we have to prepare our maximum cooling capacity with the bodywork and we must also have some ´emergency´ cooling in our pocket.

"The C23s will be in similar specification to Australia, because there was no time for us to test between races and the first components from our new wind tunnel at Hinwil will not come on stream until Imola. Overall, Sepang requires plenty of traction, so this will be the focus for the mechanical setting. There are a lot of high-speed corners, therefore stability is also important, together with good chassis handling balance. The high track temperature is very demanding for the tyres, but we are confident that Bridgestone will have a well performing tyre like in Melbourne. There is a high chance of rain, so rain setting has to be prepared.

"In Melbourne we were pleased with the performance of the SAUBER PETRONAS C23 in the latter half of the race, which is very encouraging as we approach this important event. We will do our best to perform well in front of our sponsor PETRONAS."

Giancarlo Fisichella (124 GPs):

"Sepang is a very challenging track, which is why I really like it, but I´m not so keen on the temperature; it´s too high for me! It´s a very hard track physically. Most of the corners are quick - at least three-quarters of them - so the G force puts a lot of strain on your neck and shoulder muscles.

"Malaysia is a wonderful country and though we stay near the airport I am looking forward to seeing more of the country during our pre-race pr activities organised by PETRONAS.

"After the way my car went in Melbourne I´m feeling optimistic. Our package is improving all the time, as we learn more about setting it up."

Felipe Massa (17 GPs):

"Sepang is a very nice circuit. I really like the challenge it presents, and of course have the fond memory of scoring my first world championship point after finishing sixth there in 2002. There are a lot of quick corners and quick changes of direction, and I like that. It´s not as hard on the brakes as Melbourne, it´s more flowing, but you need good tyres there because it gets so hot, and good chassis balance. I really love driving there.

"The last time I was a SAUBER PETRONAS driver I was lucky to see a lot of Kuala Lumpur. It has some great hotels and I learned a lot of the good places to go, so I´m really looking forward to being back there. I missed it last year.

"You cannot compare the SAUBER PETRONAS C23 to the C21 I last drove there. It is in another world because Formula One progresses so much even in just two years. I think the C23 is really going to suit the circuit, as our set-up work keeps paying off."

PETRONAS PR programme prior to the Grand Prix Giancarlo Fisichella and Felipe Massa have both travelled to Malaysia immediately after the Australian Grand Prix with a stop-over in a fitness camp together with the team´s physiotherapist Joseph Leberer in Kota Kinabalu. Straight afterwards the two drivers as well as Team Principal Peter Sauber and other team members will attend a PR programme organised by PETRONAS starting on Saturday, 13 March, in Borneo. The programme will comprise the following main events:

Saturday, 13 March, Kota Kinabalu (capital of the state of Sabah):

- Giancarlo Fisichella and Felipe Massa will be part of the Kick-off of the 2004 PETRONAS Malaysian Grand Prix Campaign in East Malaysia.

- The drivers will take part in an interactive programme with students from selected secondary schools.

Sunday, 14 March, Kuching (capital of the state of Sarawak):

- PETRONAS Formula One driving and pit stop demonstration.

- The drivers will join students from selected schools in Kuching to show them what Formula One is like.

Monday, 15 March, Kuching:

- Team SAUBER PETRONAS will visit the Sarawak Cultural Village in Santubong. This living museum depicts the heritage of the major racial groups in Sarawak and portrays the respective lifestyles.

Tuesday, 16 March, Bintulu:

- The drivers will visit the PETRONAS LNG Complex and ASEAN Bintulu Fertilizer plant.

- SAUBER PETRONAS will meet students from Bintulu and participates in various games.

Wednesday, 17 March, Kuala Lumpur:

- The drivers will be handed over their official cars by Proton at Proton Edar showroom.

- The team will attend the presentation of the 2004 PETRONAS Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix´s Grid Girls´ costumes at Suria KLCC shopping centre.

- In the afternoon there will be autograph-signing sessions at the Suria KLCC and at the BB Plaza shopping centre.

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