Foul!

PRESS RELEASE Isyraf Danish Mohd Ghazali, the only Malaysian to be crowned event champion in the inaugural FIA Formula 4 Southeast Asia Championship, has a lofty goal for the second season which flags off on Friday.   “Nothing less than to be the overall champion,” said the supremely confident 16-year-old from Subang Jaya. “I’m also super excited we are one of the support races for the final Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix. “I’ve been waiting since I was five to race on the same weekend as an F1 event. “Hopefully I can continue my winning form in Sepang.” Isyraf Danish’s victory in the final leg of the 36-race series last season helped him be the event champion at Sepang International Circuit (SIC) in January. This year, there are five legs — Malaysia (Friday to Sunday), Clark International Speedway in the Philippines (Oct 20-22), Sentul International Circuit in Indonesia (Nov 24-26), Buriram International Circuit  in Thailand (Jan 12-14) and the finale back ...

Flying like the Finn THE nation has every potential of producing F1 champions if more time is spent structuring a proper development programme. Such was the sentiment of former world champion Mika Hakkinen. “Of course you have every opportunity of creating a champion. It’s how good a programme is and how you manage it,” said Hakkinen in an exclusive interview thanks to Compass Communications in Subang yesterday. “Programmes should cater to children from the ages of nine to about 18 or 19 where they will then mature into the various categories of racing before graduating into F1.” The Flying Finn explained such programmes need to emphasis the importance of education, physical training and skills on and off the track. “It’s no science but pure logic. You cannot make a champion within two or three years…maybe seven to 10 years but with the right programme in place, you will be able to get good racing drivers.” When asked if Hakkinen, who won the F1 title back to back ...

Fernando Alonso won the Malaysian GP just minutes ago. While the feat will be highlighted on the backpages of most newspapers tomorrow, there is a question that lingers on the minds of many - is there a need for the race to start earlier? The race was stopped for sometime due to the heavy downpour and resumed just to end in time before there was complete darkness at the Sepang International Circuit. To erect floodlights could turn out to be an expensive affair for the government and will not serve much of a purpose unlike in Singapore where the layout which is actually a series of streets in the city. The need for the race to start at 4pm is to cater for the European viewers but it is strongly believed there is already an increasing number of viewers within the region (or similar time zone). Starting early could also help see an increase of numbers at the stands which is quite disappointing at this year's race. And there were claims of the roof leaking at the grandstand. There is a...

The press conference was an hour, Jenson Button appeared for about 15 minutes. He spoke about his childhood, his diet and ended the evening by receiving a limited edition 1867 Johnnie Walker Blue Label from Mark Sandys ( pic-left ). F1 journos were interested to know about Jenson's future. But Paula Malai Ali did most of the questioning. Nevertheless, she did ask - and in her own words - a "grown up question": Button's expectation in the Singapore GP. Button is raring to win. Read more of Button's cameo appearance at a leading hotel in Marina Bay, Singapore in today's Mailsport . HD says: Button could give Sebastian Vettel a run for his money this weekend.