MALAYSIA: MOTOR RACING: F1 teams promote the Malaysia Grand Prix, second race in the Formula One calendar

Record ID: 860413

  • Title: MALAYSIA: MOTOR RACING: F1 teams promote the Malaysia Grand Prix, second race in the Formula One calendar
  • Date: 7th April 2007
  • Summary: (ASIA) KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA (APRIL 4, 2007) (REUTERS) MODEL OF WILLIAMS CAR AND ORIS WATCH
  • Embargoed: 22nd April 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Malaysia
  • City:
  • Country: Malaysia
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA46EYOX56EOHO853WB763UB78T
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Formula One teams wasted no time when they arrived in Kuala Lumpur before Sunday's (April 8) Malaysian Grand Prix. The drivers were immediately involved in a round of appearances at shops and offices to promote the race and their sponsors.
    Dubbed the world's hottest race for its humid conditions, the Grand Prix is held at the Sepang track close to Kuala Lumpur. Fans have already been racing to get autographs from drivers such as BMW Sauber's Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica as well as McLaren's rookie Lewis Hamilton.
    BMW Sauber's sponsor Petronas, the Malaysian energy giant, featured the BMW Sauber machines and Malaysian Grand Prix grid girls in traditional costumes at its sprawling booth in its headquarters, the Petronas Twin Towers, also known as the world's tallest twin towers.
    Petronas is the main sponsor of the Malaysian GP which first began 1999.
    Heidfeld and Kubica drew crowds that had queued up for hours to get their autographs and buy F1 souvenirs on Tuesday (April 3).
    One fan said her long wait paid off after she received an autograph.
    "Wow, it is great actually because it's very hard to get the signatures. Actually, I had to queue for I think about one hour ago," said Siti Hajar, an office worker.
    The Williams team, which switched engines from Cosworth to Toyota V8s, also had their driver Nico Rosberg make an appearance with their sponsor Oris Watches. Rosberg is the son of the 1982 world champion Keke Rosberg.
    McLaren rookie Lewis Hamilton, who had a podium finish in his first F1 race at the Australian GP last month, also drew crowds when he appeared for a party by sponsor Tag Heuer GP in downtown Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday (April 4).
    Hamilton said he was aiming for first place.
    "I mean I'm not here to lose, I am here not for second place, I am here to win so that's going to be the goal. I've been working very hard, the team is doing a fantastic job and I feel very optimistic about this weekend so fingers crossed," Hamilton said.
    After a fireworks display, a karting race began while Hamilton demonstrated his racing skills in a F1 simulator.
    Qualifying races will begin on Saturday (April 7).
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