SEPANG

Track length: 5.543 km

Number of laps: 56 (310.408 Km)

Best lap: M. Schumacher - 1'36''412 (2003, Ferrari)

Record Pole: M. Schumacher - 1'35''220 (2001, Ferrari)

2003 Pole: F. Alonso - 1'37''044 (Renault)

2003 Podium
1. K. Raikkonen
2. R. Barrichello
3. F. Alonso

With the 1999 Drivers' and Constructors' World Championships wide open for the inaugural Malaysian Grand Prix, it was assured to be one of excitement and high tension. Four drivers were still in with a chance of taking the elusive driver's crown with only 14 points between first and fourth.

The penultimate round of the 1999 season saw the drivers compete at Sepang for the first time, although Malaysia was no novice when it came to Motorsports. They first held a Grand Prix in 1991, at Shah Alam, for Motorcycles, and last year saw the new circuit host its first major event in April, once again for the bikes.

The 5.542 km (3.443 mile) Sepang circuit is situated close to the new Kuala Lumpur International Airport and has been widely hailed as the most up to date racing complex in the world. But for the teams and drivers that participated in the country's first Formula One race, it represented uncertainty. Only three drivers previously had the chance to drive on the new and unknown circuit and that was only briefly.

The first event saw the return of Michael Schumacher after his accident at Silverstone some months earlier. The German was in top form upon his return and clearly showed the field that he was back. He led the race with ease before handing the win over to his teammate, Eddie Irvine to help the Irishman with his championship hopes.In 2000 it set the scene for further Ferrari victory. The last race on the calendar, Michael Schumacher took the victory with ease after securing the drivers crown the race before. The final win of the season saw Ferrari finish the year with their second successive constructors title.

For 2001 the Malaysian event had been moved to the start of the season, following Australia. As a result the country had two events in six months and figures weren't as high as hoped. Michael won for the second year in a row, but 2002 saw younger brother Ralf take the win, his one and only in the entire season.

In 2003, Kimi Raikkonen won his first GP victory, in front of Rubens Barrichello and Fernando Alonso. Michael Schumacher received a drive-through penalty because of an incident with Jarno Trulli in the first lap of the race. The German finished the race in a disappointing sixth place.