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Thursday March 26, 2009

More chances to meet F1 drivers

By LIM TEIK HUAT

PETALING JAYA: Formula One drivers have always been off-limits to the fans and even to the media at times. But the Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix from April 3-5 could see a change in approach.

The organisers, the Sepang International Circuit (SIC), are initiating meet-the-fan sessions during the race weekend.

SIC chief executive officer Razlan Razali said that they had informed the teams of their intention to get their drivers for the sessions, which are expected to be held at the Mall area of the circuit.

New profile: Models posing with the newly-designed Petronas Malaysian F1 Grand Prix trophy after the unveiling ceremony Wednesday.

“We are in the midst of sorting out the participating drivers and we will come out with the final list by early next week on who will turn up on which day,” said Razlan after the unveiling of the GP winner’s trophy yesterday.

Razlan added that there had been no real opportunity for spectators to meet the F1 drivers in the last 10 years that Malaysia hosted the GP.

“If you want to have the chance to meet Kimi Raikkonen or Felipe Massa, you have to be a Ferrari Club member. How many people get this opportunity? Having the meet-the-fans sessions, we hope to bridge the gap between the spectators and drivers,” he said.

“The F1 drivers are usually unapproachable as they have to focus on their duties but we hope to get them to spare maybe 10 or 20 minutes of their time. It is limited but at least they can make themselves available to the public.”

Razlan said that they had also made efforts to get students from higher institutions of learning to be involved.

“We are organising a go-kart race between the people from F1 teams and the students,” he said.

“In fact, more than 70 students turned up last week to try to win four places from the first qualifying heat and we are expecting another big turnout in the second qualifying heat this weekend.”

The podium winners of the Malaysian GP next week will lift newly-designed trophies.

Tumasek Pewter has been commissioned to design the trophies. There will be four units of customised Malaysian GP trophies to be given out. They are the driver winner’s trophy, constructor winner’s trophy, second placed driver’s trophy and third placed driver’s trophy.

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