Friday March 15th, 2002
Hunted Boys
Fanatical Malaysian Grand Prix supporters flocked to see Briton Jenson Button and his Italian teammate Jarno Trulli when the pair stepped out in downtown Kuala Lumpur for an autograph session in the build-up to the Sepang event.
Renault drivers Button and Trulli spent 10 minutes busily signing hundreds of autographs and scribbled their signature over items of clothing from t-shirts to dresses, and even on bare skin. The pair then posed for photos alongside a Renault F1 showcar outside the bar, where the party continued into the night. But partying was not on the cards for either of the drivers, and after their brief appearance they headed back to their hotel for a rest.
Multi-Tasking Sauber
Sauber teammates Nick Heidfeld and Felipe Massa have been busy in and around Kuala Lumpur and Singapore as the team try to impress Malaysian backers Petronas in the build-up to their home race. The pair have been learning how to make noodles, weaving mats and playing traditional instruments, not to mention their efforts on the beach volleyball court and their stints on various dance floors.
Apparently, the Malaysian girls could not get enough of Brazilian youngster Massa and the 20-year-old was mobbed by fans as he continued to get used to his new-found Formula One popularity. After just one race, Massa has lost count of the number of autographs he has signed, but now he and Heidfeld have arrived at the Sepang circuit their efforts are firmly focused on the track. Massa had no less than five technical briefings with his engineers on the first day of practice.
Party Time
The streets of Kuala Lumpur buzzed with excitement as the build-up to the Malaysian Grand Prix kicked up a gear, with many of the teams and sponsors putting on parties in the bustling downtown streets. British American Racing, Jaguar, Renault, they were all there, but perhaps the biggest impact was made by the Petronas-backed Sauber team. Their Malaysian sponsors, it appears, are so influential that they were able to rip the Hard Rock Cafe sign down from their host bar and replace it with a revolving Sauber logo. All very impressive...but then again they are a big team now.
Latest Model
Grid girl hopefuls took part in a special Formula One beauty contest in the build up to the Malaysian Grand Prix, with 40 models competing for the title of top Grand Prix Expo beauty. The event began before the start of the Grand Prix weekend, at the Mid Valley Megamall in KL, and the judging was done by popular Malaysian band Innuendo, who also performed their hits to the crowds gathered around the two-seater Minardi car, an Orange Arrows and a Sauber C19. However, there will be no place on the grid for the successful girl - because the winner will not be announced until Monday, when the party is already over.
Walkinshaw's Racing Buddy
When the news broke of Phoenix's purchase of the Prost Grand Prix assets, many were puzzled as to the identity of Charles Nickerson, who heads the Phoenix Finance company. But Nickerson, it seems, is no stranger to the motor racing scene.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, in fact, Nickerson - then driving under the name of Chuck Nicholson - had won several sportscar races, alongside co-driver... yes, you guessed it: Tom Walkinshaw of TWR and Arrows fame. The two had remained friends since, which allthemore fuels rumours that the latest Prost purchase by Phoenix is nothing but a front for Walkinshaw himself.
Waiting in The Wings
Popular Malaysian pop band Wings paid a visit to the Renault F1 team during the opening practice day of the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang on Friday and were stunned by their first experience of Formula One. The group explored the paddock and visited Renault F1's garage to exchange gifts with drivers Jarno Trulli and Jenson Button, before they went back on the track for the second practice session. Trulli and Button presented the members of Wings with signed overalls and the group, which is the highest-selling Malaysian band of all time, returned the favour by gifting the drivers platinum discs.
"It is just fantastic to be here," said lead singer Awi, who recently returned to re-join the band after a long absence. "It was great to see the Renault drivers doing well on the track after meeting them in the garages and it was amazing to see that there are so many people involved with the team and the sport. It has been incredible!"
Published at 16:02:48 GMT
(03-11-2005): 
