Formula 1 2011: Malaysia Grand Prix

The second Formula 1 race of the 2011 season was held in Malaysia on the circuit of Sepang. The Malaysian Grand Prix is known for its heat, humidity and torrential downpours. It was hot, but it stayed dry this year. In fact it was so hot, during the race the body temperature of the drivers reaches 40 degrees C or higher and they are severely dehydrated by the end of the race.
Racing at Sepang it is not just about the fitness of the car, but also about the fitness of the driver and his ability to keep on concentrating in the heat. In the end the race was won by Germany’s Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull Racing.

101. Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany celebrates winning the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix after crossing the finish line at Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad )

202. Malaysia Formula One grid girls pose for a picture under a Petronas umbrella prior to the third practice of the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at the Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 9, 2011. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad

303. Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany sits in his car during the qualifying session of the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 9, 2011. REUTERS/Raymond Ho/Pool )

404. McLaren Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain drives during the third practice session of the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at the Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 9, 2011. REUTERS/Tim Chong )

505. Ferrari Formula One driver Fernando Alonso of Spain adjusts his earplugs during the third practice session of the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 9, 2011. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad )

606. McLaren Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain prepares for the third practice session of the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at the Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 9, 2011. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad

707. Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany is congratulated by a crew member after taking the pole position in the qualifying session of the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 9, 2011. REUTERS/Tim Chong

808. Toro Rosso Formula One driver Sebastien Buemi of Switzerland is pushed in the pit lane during the qualifying session of the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 9, 2011. REUTERS/Raymond Ho/Pool )

909. Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany (L) and team mate Mark Webber of Australia talk during the drivers' news conference following the qualifying session of the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 9, 2011. REUTERS/Tim Chong )

1010. McLaren Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain powers through turn two during the qualifying session of the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at the Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 9, 2011. REUTERS/Russell Boyce

1111. Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany talks to the media following the qualifying session of the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 9, 2011. REUTERS/Samsul Said

1212. Lotus Formula One driver Heikki Kovalainen of Finland (L) and team mate Jarno Trulli of Italy (C) walk in the paddock with a crew member before the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad )

1313. Renault Formula One driver Vitaly Petrov of Russia arrives at Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur for the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad )

1414. Ferrari Formula One driver Fernando Alonso of Spain (R) jumps the security gate next to Red Bull Formula One driver Mark Webber of Australia as they arrive at Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur for the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Tim Chong )

1515. Renault Formula One driver Vitaly Petrov of Russia (R) and team mate Nick Heidfeld of Germany (C) walk in the paddock with a crew member before the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Samsul Said )

1616. McLaren Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain (L) and compatriot team mate Jenson Button walk in the paddock before the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Tim Chong )

1717. Isabell Reis, girlfriend of Virgin Racing Formula One driver Timo Glock of Germany, walks in the paddock before the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Tim Chong

1818. Vivian Sibold, girlfriend of Mercedes Formula One driver Nico Rosberg of Germany, walks in the paddock before the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Tim Chong

1919. HRT Formula One driver Narain Karthikeyan of India (L), HRT Formula One driver Vitantonio Liuzzi of Italy (C) and Mercedes Formula One driver Michael Schumacher of Germany chat before the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Tim Chong )

2020. Ferrari Formula One driver Felipe Massa of Brazil (L), Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany (C) and Williams Formula One driver Rubens Barrichello of Brazil chat before the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Tim Chong )

2121. Ferrari Formula One driver Fernando Alonso of Spain (L), Red Bull Formula One driver Mark Webber of Australia (C) and Lotus Formula One driver Heikki Kovalainen of Finland chat before the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Tim Chong )

2222. Renault Formula One driver Nick Heidfeld of Germany gets in his car before the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Samsul Said )

2323. McLaren Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain gets ready before the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Samsul Said )

2424. Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany leads at the start of the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad )

2525. Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany leads the race at turn two during the start of the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at the Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Russell Boyce

2626. Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany leads the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad )

2727. Toro Rosso Formula One driver Jaime Alguersuari of Spain drives surrounded by other cars during the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Russell Boyce )

2828. Williams Formula One driver Rubens Barrichello of Brazil drives with a damaged rear tyre after a collision with another driver during the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Russell Boyce )

2929. Ferrari Formula One driver Felipe Massa of Brazil (L) and team mate Fernando Alonso of Spain drive during the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Tim Chong )

3030. Renault Formula One driver Nick Heidfeld of Germany drives ahead of McLaren Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain during the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad )

3131. Lotus Formula One driver Jarno Trulli of Italy drives out of the track during the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad )

3232. Fans watch the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad )

3333. Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany leaves the pit after a pit stop during the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at the Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Raymond Ho/Pool )

3434. Lotus Formula One driver Jarno Trulli of Italy drives off track during the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad )

3535. Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany drives during the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad )

3636. McLaren Formula One driver Jenson Button of Britain leaves the pit after a pit stop during the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at the Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Raymond Ho/Pool )

3737. Crew members work on car of Ferrari Formula One driver Fernando Alonso of Spain during a pit stop at the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at the Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Raymond Ho/Pool )

3838. Pit crew of the Red Bull Formula One team look at the race on television during the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at the Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Raymond Ho/Pool )

3939. Renault Formula One driver Nick Heidfeld of Germany drives during the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at the Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Tim Chong )

4040. Crew members work on car of McLaren Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain during a pit stop four laps before the end of the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at the Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. Hamilton finishing seventh after he and Ferrari Formula One driver Fernando Alonso of Spain collided when they were fighting for third late on. REUTERS/Raymond Ho/Pool )

4141. Crew members work on car of McLaren Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain during a pit stop at the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at the Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Raymond Ho/Pool )

4242. Crew members work on car of Renault Formula One driver Nick Heidfeld of Germany during a pit stop at the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at the Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Raymond Ho/Pool )

4343. Crew members work on car of Mercedes Formula One driver Michael Schumacher of Germany during a pit stop at the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at the Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Raymond Ho/Pool )

4444. Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany drives during the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at the Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Tim Chong )

4545. McLaren Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain drives during the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at the Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Tim Chong )

4646. Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany celebrates winning the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Samsul Said IMAGE OF THE DAY)

4747. Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany celebrates with team members after winning the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at the Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Tim Chong )

4848. Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany gestures after winning the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Russell Boyce )

4949. McLaren Formula One driver Jenson Button of Britain is congratulated by crew members for his second position in the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Russell Boyce )

5050. Renault Formula One driver Nick Heidfeld of Germany is congratulated by crew members after winning the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Russell Boyce )

5151. Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany celebrates winning the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad )

5252. Second placed McLaren Formula One driver Jenson Button of Britain (L) and third placed Renault Formula One driver Nick Heidfeld of Germany (R) spray champagne on winner Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany after the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Tim Chong IMAGE OF THE DAY)

5353. Second placed McLaren Formula One driver Jenson Button of Britain (L) winner Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany (C) and third placed Renault Formula One driver Nick Heidfeld of Germany (R) celebrate on podium after the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad )

5454. McLaren Formula One driver Jenson Button of Britain speaks with Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel (R) of Germany during a news conference after Vettel won the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at the Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Tim Chong )

5555. McLaren Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton (R) of Britain leaves the paddock after the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at the Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Samsul Said )

5656. Renault Formula One driver Nick Heidfeld of Germany celebrates his third position with crew members after the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Samsul Said )

5757. Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel (L) of Germany bows to team members before a group photo session in the pit after he won the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at the Sepang circuit outside Kuala Lumpur April 10, 2011. REUTERS/Tim Chong )