Kimi Raikkonen wins the Malaysian Grand Prix

Ferrari Formula One driver Kimi Raikkonen of Finland and Jenson Button
of Briton in action where Kimi speed his way to win the Malaysian Grand
Prix at the Sepang Formula One circuit on March 2,2008
Photo by S.S.Kanesan/TheStar

Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen won the Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday March 23,2008 at Sepang F1 Circuit. He beat BMW’s Robert Kubica and McLaren’s Heikki Kovalainen.

Jarno Trulli secured an impressive fourth in the Toyota. Lewis Hamilton was only managed to fifth.

German Nick Heidfeld finished sixth and Australian Mark Webber made up for his bad luck in his home race in Australia last Sunday by finishing seventh. Spaniard Fernando Alonso was eighth for Renault.Felipe Massa spun out from second position and lost the race.

Well! I am happy that Kimi Raikkonen won the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang F1 Circuit. He who seldom smiled to the cameras, had reasons to flash a big grin after the podium celebrations..

Who will be the champ… Lewis Hamilton vs Kimi Raikkonen

Who will be the champ on this coming Sunday March 23,2008 at Malaysian F1 Grand Prix……..Lewis Hamilton vs Kimi Raikkonen

Do you think these F1 drivers have any chance to win ……Felipe Massa, Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button or new comer Nico Rosberg and Heikk Kovalainen

Young McLaren Lewis Hamilton continued from where he left off in Melbourne by setting the fastest lap during the free pratice seesion in the Petronas Malaysian F1 Grand Prix here on yesterday March 21,2008. He claimed the top spot with a sizzling lap of 1:35.055.

The Ferrari duo of Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen had dominated for the most part of the second practice session in the afternoon. Brazilian Felipe Massa was relegated to second spot on 1:35.206 while Kimi Raikkonen, the reigning world champion, set the third fastest time of 1:35.428.

Britain‘s Jenson Button emerged with a surprise performance, finishing fourth fastest in his Honda.

German driver Nico Rosberg, who finished third in Melbourne and is the son of former world champion Keke Rosberg, was 12^th as his Williams car was caught in the heavy traffic in the closing stages of the second session.

Fernando Alonso says it’s unlikely that he will be winner for a third time in his favorite track at the Sepang F1 Circuilt as he feels that his Renault has a lot of catching up to do before to challenge McLaren, Ferrari and even BMW Sauber. He could end up only 14^th spot during the free pratice session

So who will immerge to be the winner of this Malaysia Grand Prix ? Lewis Hamilton or Kimi Raikkonen; Mclaren or Ferrari

Photo by SS Kanesan/The Star

Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix

Australian MotoGP class World Champion Casey Stoner from the Ducati
Marlboro Team (front) leads a pack of riders as they clear a corner
during the Malaysian Grand Prix on the Sepang International Circuit,
21 October 2007.

Australian MotoGP class World Champion Casey Stoner from the Ducati
Marlboro Team (front) leads Spain’s Dano Pedrosa from the Repsol
Honda Team (26), France’s Randy de Puniet from Kawasaki Racing Team
(14) and Italian Marco Melandri from the Honda Gresini Team (33) as
they clear a corner during the Malaysian Grand Prix on the Sepang
International Circuit.

Australian MotoGP class World Champion Casey Stoner from the Ducati
Marlboro Team clears a corner during the Malaysian Grand Prix on the
Sepang International Circuit.

Australian rider Casey Stoner of Ducati leans to a corner during the
Malaysian Grand Prix on the Sepang International Circuit, 21 October
2007.

Spain‘s Dani Pedrosa of Repsol Honda takes a corner during during the
Malaysian Grand Prix on the Sepang International Circuit, 21 October
2007.

Australian rider Casey Stoner waves to fans on his Ducati after
winning the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix at the Sepang
International Racing Circuit, 21 October 2007. Australian world
champion Casey Stoner claimed his 10th MotoGP victory at the
Malaysian Grand Prix.

Australian rider Casey Stoner of Ducati celebrates after winning the
Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix at the Sepang International Racing
Circuit, 21 October 2007. Australian world champion Casey Stoner
claimed his 10th MotoGP victory.

Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix winner Australian rider Casey Stoner
of Ducati (center), with second-placed Italian Marco Melandri (left)
of Honda and third-placed Spanish rider Dani Pedrosa of Honda
(behind), spray champagne on each other on the winner’s podium at the
Sepang International Circuit, 21 October 2007. Australian world
champion Casey Stoner, riding a Ducati, claimed his 10th MotoGP
victory.

This is what Hopkins predicted when he had an interview by Star reporter on 18-10-2007 before the Motorcycle Grand Prix

“It has not been a good year for Rossi. He has a very good record in Sepang but I don’t think it will be the Rossi show again,” said the 24-year-old Hopkins.

“The man to beat here is Casey Stoner, who I think has been in superb form. It is all about the young riders doing the job these days and I think what riders like Casey achieved is just good for the sport.”

And He is right Casey Stoner is the champion……More

Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix results and standings

All pictures are taken by Glenn Guan, the sport photographer for The Star. Thanks for his sharing with us.

“I want a picture to reflect not only the forms but what I had seen
and felt at the moment of exposure” – Ansel Adams

“I don’t respect reputation – it’s the picture that count” – Andy Rouse