31/03/2011
NEWS STORY
Formula One will take to the streets of Malaysia this weekend when Team Lotus heads a showcase event at the heart of the administrative capital, Putrajaya.
The 2011 Lotus 128 and drivers Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen will take part in a 'Team Lotus Live Demo' this Saturday (April 2) in the main street in front of Malaysia's judiciary icon, Palace of Justice and is expected to be joined by Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabbery Cheek and other Cabinet Ministers.
"This will be the first ever demo in Putrajaya; and this fantastic event is aimed at building the F1 excitement for the fans and to tell them the 2011 Malaysian Grand Prix is coming near," said SIC Chief Executive Officer Dato Ahmad Razlan Ahmad Razali. "It is also aimed at creating the excitement of F1 and for greater awareness on the sports; bringing fans closer to the race. We also hope that it would create more interest among the motorsports fans especially at the grassroots," he added.
Jointly organized by Team Lotus, Sepang International Circuit (SIC) and Putrajaya, the event is also in support of SIC's promotional programme for the 13th running of the F1 Malaysia Grand Prix.
"The event is also a special way for the team to introduce themselves to Malaysians and to create more awareness for this Malaysian-initiated team," said Razlan in reference to the 1Malaysia F1 Racing Team - a team personally launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak on September 15, 2009; declaring its as a 1Malaysia initiative.
Adding spice to the inaugural F1 demonstration in Putrajaya will be a Malaysian Super Series (MSS) parade, drift demonstration, pocket bike and a supermotard stunt display and a special AirAsia A320 fly past. Stage activities start from 10:00 while the main street shows commence from 14:00. Entry is free.
Formula 1 street demos have always been a key feature of F1 activities with the inaugural demo held in 1999 by the Red Bull Sauber Petronas F1 Team; featuring Jean Alesi and Pedro Diniz and held around Jalan P. Ramlee in Kuala Lumpur.
Last year, fans were thrilled by the skills of comeback king Michael Schumacher and his Mercedes GP Petronas team-mate Nico Rosberg around Jalan Binjai and the parking lots around KLCC.