SEPANG INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT (SIC) chairman Datuk Mokhzani Mahathir said the title challenge for this year’s Formula One season will be closer than previous years.
Mokhzani, who attended the launch of the 16th Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix in Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur said: “We expect this year to be very interesting. We’ve seen the dominance of one team over the last four years, but small turbo charged engines are very unpredictable when it comes to high temperature conditions which the racers will find in Malaysia.
“If we look at the test sessions in Jerez, the Mercedes powered cars seem to do better as compared to the traditional Renault engines. And my prediction is that the Mercedes and the McLarens will give a good fight to Red Bull this year. I’m pretty sure that the racers will not want to allow Sebastian Vettel to win the championship once again this year.”
This has come about after some changes in the rules of Formula One racing which includes the introduction of a new V6 turbo charged engine, replacing the old V8s.
Mokhzani also predicted with a change to the point system, where the last race offers double championship point, the title this year will be decided on the final day of the season.
“It’s going to be tough with the new point system, and my prediction is the championship is going to go down to the last race,” Mokhzani explained.
On another note, he mentioned SIC will continue working with Selangor Pewter on the trophy.
“What I can say is whoever wins the trophy will know that it is really worth having in their display cabinet,” Mokhzani concluded.
