my F1 2008 weekend

Display at Concourse area, Suria KLCC

Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix

21-22-23 March 2008

It has been 10 years since the first F1 race in Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia.
How time flies!


Me and my dear sweetheart, true to his nature, waited until the last minute to purchase tickets for the race. I've been nagging him endlessly about it but I strongly believe he is getting immuned to my nagging.

We knew the exact block and row that we wanted but the ticket outlets and agents seem not to have those seats. So, Thursday afternoon, I called the KL Sentral Sepang International Circuit office to query about our selected seats. Turned out they cannot check the availability. The person I spoke to told me to call their main office at Sepang itself.


Called Sepang office and I enquired about my selected seats and just as I suspected, they do not have them either and do not know which agents may have them.

Bummer!

Hah! But here's the twist -

"Akak, my supervisor has tickets where you want but they are complimentary tickets. Not for sale. But if Akak want, my supervisor says that he's willing to sell it."

"Oh really? Is this for real?"

"Betul Akak. It is exactly like the normal ticket except that it states "Complimentary. RM0.00"."

"Hmmm... How much?"


"Akak, you know how much is Crystal right?"

"1200."


"Ya. This one I'm giving for 950 each and Akak can get PA1 parking at 100 as normal."

To be honest, I was sold when she said parking PA1. It is almost impossible to get PA1 parking tickets. PA1 is right opposite the main entrance. That would save lots of leg work in the hot sun.


"Hmmm... mmm.... if I want, I have to go to Sepang to get it from you?"


"Ya Akak but like I said, it's complimentary; not for sale. So Akak please call me when you get here."

"Alright. I'll do that if I decide to buy them from you."

Erm, so I commited an illegal ticket purchase.

Oh well...

We missed Friday 21st March 2008 free practice.




Saturday 22nd March 2008, Hunnie and I left at noon and an hour later was at Sepang.

It was perfect weather to be out actually - overcast and windy! But still very humid.

At the Welcome Centre and Mall Area

The three teams I watch out for - BMW Sauber, Vodafone Mclaren Mercedes, Ferrari - and in that order

After the Qualifying session

Grid Positions:

1. Felipe Massa - Ferrari

2. Kimi Raikkonen - Ferrari

3. Jarno Trulli - Toyota

This was after the McLaren pair were penalised for obstructing those in their flying lap.

Sunday 23rd March 2008, sis and I left early around 10am knowing from previous experiences the massive traffic jam that will await us if we left any later.

I was trying to get something autographed by Nick Heidfeld but the queue was too long.
Snapped a picture instead.

Some pits


Driver's Parade


At the starting grid before the race. It looks really crowded in pictures and on TV. But in real life, it's not that bad actually. All the bustling looks quite subdued in real life.

Poised to go for their warm-up lap:



The five red lights go off and there they go... Vrrrooommm.....


Round,

and round

and round

and round they go...



After 57 laps, the podium finishers were:

1. Kimi Raikkonen - Ferrari
2. Robert Kubica - BMW Sauber
3. Heikki Kovalainen - Vodafone McLaren Mercedes



Woohoo!
My team got second!
Not very impressive but BUT it was the first podium finish for the team sponsored by Petronas and how fitting on its 10th anniversary.


What a fun weekend!